Gardena Auto Repair

    If car ownership is new to you whether the car is old or new, every car needs to be cared for.  The good news is that there are some important tasks like checking tire pressure, installing new wipers or cleaning your car that you can do in your own drive way. Just by following your owner's recommended maintenance schedule, you can avoid several vehicle problems.  Preventive car care reduces wear and tear of the engine and other components that help extend the life of your vehicle and help save you thousands of dollars in the long run. Regular maintenance can reduce the chance of breakdown and your car will be in great condition to handle your daily commute and road trips safely. Here are some things all car owners should do on their own:  Use Common sense: Be alert for any leaks, strange noises or smells as well as changes in performance, such as diminished braking, acceleration, or steering abilities. Taking care of these issues when first identified ... read more

  Going on a road trip this Thanksgiving? Between dropping temperatures and surging Covid-19 numbers the last thing you want to happen is for your car to break down while you're on the road in the middle of a pandemic. With Thanksgiving being one of the most popular times to travel it's a good idea to go through this checklist to help ensure vehicle safety and reliability in order to avoid any unscheduled stops. Doing a holiday pre-trip inspection can reduce the chance of unexpected, costly repairs and help to ensure a stress-free road trip.  Check all fluids (engine oil, power steering and brake and transmission, as well as windshield washer solvent and antifreeze/coolant)  Check hoses and belts (look for any that are cracked, brittle, frayed, loose or show signs of excessive wear)  Check the tires, including tire pressure and tread Make sure all lights are working (interior and exterior) Check wipers. Wiper blades should be replaced every six mo ... read more

Basic Car Air Conditioning Repair Tips   Air Conditioning is something we don’t think about until it’s not working, like on a recent trip I took to Lake Havasu, you can only guess what happened. Of course the A/C stopped working on my truck, it was 113 degrees and I was miserable! It was a lesson learned to have my A/C inspected, especially before taking a long trip in the heat.  Keeping it serviced and maintained is key to never finding yourself sweating and uncomfortable in your car.   The way A/C works is complicated, the system is made of several components that work together to make sure you get cold air. Instead of explaining the whole process we'll break it down so its very easy to understand. Inside your dash is a component called the EVAPORATOR and this unit get cold. You'll also find a motor called the BLOWER MOTOR which blows air through the cold EVAPORATOR and just like that, you now have COLD AIR! What makes the EVAPOR ... read more

Catalytic Converter Theft How to Prevent It Catalytic Converter theft is up on the rise again as you may have seen posts about it on your Nextdoor or Ring app. We have had multiple vehicles brought into our shop where the catalytic converters have been stolen; which costs quite a lot of money to replace. The thieves are getting more brazen in their attempts and even stealing the catalytic converters in broad daylight! They can be stolen in a matter of minutes and cause thousands of dollars of damage.    What is a Catalytic Converter? Catalytic Converter is an exhaust emissions component that converts harmful gases that your engine produces into less harmful gases and is usually located under the vehicle (part of the exhaust system).    Why do they want to steal it? Catalytic Converters are made of precious metals such as platinum, palladium, gold and rhodium, to give you an idea of it's worth - one ounce of pla ... read more

  Car Maintenance Terms All Drivers Should Know   When you drop off your vehicle for service whether it's for routine maintenance or you have an issue, do you feel confident about it? Do you have concerns that the bill may be big, your car may be out of commission  for a while, even if you bring your car into a shop that you trust? Unfortunately this anxiety car owners face, often stems from lack of knowledge about car repair in general or what goes on under the hood of your car. Although every vehicle that is brought in we provide a courtesy inspection that includes a detailed outline and photos of what is the most immediate repair needs and what can be dealt with later, understanding technical terms may help you when it comes to decision making to authorize repairs, here's a list of some of the most important maintenance terms all drivers should know.    Alternator: The alternator is the part in t ... read more