San Diego Auto Repair

It has come to light in the past several years that several Dodge and Chrysler vehicles are equipped with valve stems that are prone to corrosion and damage. This failure is most common in colder parts of the country, but even here in warmer states the failure still occurs routinely. This failure can and does happen on weakened valve stems sometimes by just simply unscrewing the cap to check the tire pressure. It should be noted that the valve stem is merely the most common part that fails, other parts of the system are also at risk. If you own a 2008-2011 Dodge Grand Caravan or Chrysler Town & Country, you may be at risk. These defects can cause tire blowouts, even at low speeds. There is currently a pending lawsuit against Chrysler over this issue, and their failure to issue a recall. Later models switched to rubberized valve stems to avoid the problems found in earlier models. At Convoy, we’ve had the unfortunate experience of dealing with the effects of this firsthand. I ... read more

Sometimes when you’re car shopping, buying a brand new car just isn’t in the cards. Between the expense of the new car itself, the cost of taxes and registration, and the eventual cost of depreciation, many buyers turn to the used car marketplace to save money and still have a reliable vehicle that fits their needs exactly. That said, there are plenty of reasons why buying used is actually preferable to buying new in just about any situation. Recognizing the value of an older vehicle can save time, hassle, and all sorts of stress. Here are some of the benefits of buying used: Image: FlickrRecalls If you’re buying a used car from a dealer lot, you can bet all the recalls on the car have already been taken care of, and if they haven’t been, it’s the dealer’s responsibility to ... read more

When making a decision to purchase a used vehicle, it should always be inspected by a third party before purchase. While there are many very reputable used car dealers in San Diego, we have found over the years that we are able to uncover many needs, neglected maintenance or concerns not addressed in the dealer’s multipoint inspection process. Most dealers use entry level technicians and mechanic’s helpers to perform their own multipoint inspection punch list. While it may look impressive, it generally is pretty surface level. On the flip side, when Convoy has a seasoned ASE certified technician inspect the vehicle, they use their years of experience and a "fine tooth comb" to inspect the vehicle. This is where we discover all of the skeletons in the closet. In this particular inspection, a Convoy customer brought in a Volvo they had just purchased from a very reputable dealer. After further inspection, we found an oil leak, and a possible transmission problem. Si ... read more