Oceanside Auto Repair

Brakes are your first line of defense against any accidents or collisions on and off the road. So it’s important that you get them checked out before they begin to fail or make noises. If you’re like most drivers in Oceanside, you only get your brakes checked once you notice that something’s wrong. It’s important to get your brakes checked regularly. Note, an easy way to remember is to get them checked each time you go in for an oil or filter change at North County Auto Service Not maintaining functioning brakes is a danger to both you and other drivers on the road. Most common signs you need a brake check:
Grinding or Screeching noises when you brake Cause: This usually indicates that the brake pads are worn down and need to be replaced immediately. Remember, the grinding and screeching is not a “friendly reminder” to change your brake pads, it is a sign of a mechanical problem. Not replacing your brake pads at th
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We all fear that time of spring when everything turns yellow in color and everyone we know seems to come down with hay fever. The effects of pollen on air quality during spring are obvious in indoor and outdoor settings, but it’s really important not to neglect the effects of pollen on your car. When you think about it, our cars are on the front lines of the war on pollen. Imagine if you went out for a jog one spring day, but you magically acquired a new super power that enabled you to run at 50 miles per hour. It’d be a total blast at first, but after the first few blocks you’d be wheezing and sneezing from all the pollen suddenly rushing into your face and lungs. Why are air filters so important? We tend to think of our cars as solid, and totally protected from the elements like rain and wind. But lots of air flows through our vehicles when we drive, both into the interior cabin of the car where we sit, and under the hood into the engine and machiner ... read more

It’s a busy weekday morning. You barely get out the door in time, and when you get to the car, start the ignition, and a dashboard warning light comes on- the check engine light. The check engine light is probably every driver’s most hated warning light. It gives no details about what’s wrong, and the list of potential problems goes on and on, ranging from minor malfunctions to costly problems. NOTE: If your check engine light comes on and is flashing, this indicates a serious problem and you should get to the nearest auto repair facility immediately. Top 3 Most Common Causes of the Check Engine Light Oxygen Sensor: The oxygen sensors in your car helps determine how much fuel you burn. A defective oxygen sensor effects mileage calculation and leads to a decrease in fuel economy. While oxygen sensors are a relatively easy and inexpensive part to replace, failing to replace them in time can eventually destroy your catalytic converter. And depen ... read more

Tires (general about large selection of tires, and capable mechanics able to help you pick the best tires for your vehicle and driving needs) Sometimes tires don't get the time and consideration they deserve. We just buy them and count on them to serve us for a certain amount of miles. They deserve a lot more of our respect though; tries are one of the vehicle's most important safety features and everything from the type to tread matters in the tire's performance, and ultimately your safety. That's why it makes sense to get help from automotive professionals when choosing tires. There are Many Types of Tires There are many types of tires. That's great, right? It is if you know what tires are the right size and type for your car and driving considerations. Tires are more than a flexible rubber container for air. They actually have between 19 and 25 different components that make them well suited to a particular purpose and vehicle. You'll need to match ... read more

Knowing when to take your vehicle into the auto shop for struts and shocks repair can be kind of tricky. The damping characteristics of shocks and struts diminish slowly over time, making it difficult to detect a problem. Usually when a driver notices that there is a problem, it's well past the time of needing replacement. Shocks and (or) struts are part of your vehicle's suspension system. Not all vehicles have both shocks and struts; some only have one or the other. Each aids in the vehicle's stability and handling. There's no strictly set time for shock and strut replacement as part of it depends on driving conditions such as how you drive and the condition of the roads. Some need replacement at 30,000 miles, and others can go as long as 60,000 miles. There are however some good indications that it's time to get into the auto shop and have them looked at by service technician. Signs that it's Time to Replace or Repair Struts Shocks and struts are re ... read more

Having the correct tire pressure is an important part of regular maintenance of your car, and it's also a necessity for being a good driver. The amount of air pressure in your tires has an immediate effect on the quality of your driving, especially when braking and turning. Aside from these concerns, seasonal temperature changes can also effect the performance of your tires, and the overall pressure within them. The basics of tire pressure: Like most maintenance suggestions and requirements, always check the user manual and manufacturer's schedule for when to have certain repairs and what is required. Your car's user manual and maintenance handbook will also tell you the exact psi requirements for your tires, and you can also find this information on the tires themselves. Always check the psi in your tires regularly, during scheduled maintenance and tune-ups (your mechanic should always do this for you), and it's a good idea to go it before going on lo ... read more

Adjusting to the winter months takes some effort, and some of that effort should go into winter automotive maintenance. No matter where you live, the changing seasons present a challenge to your vehicle, and probably more than you realize. A lot goes into keeping your ride riding smoothly, and any car maintenance issues that you ignored in the summer could create an additional hazard in the winter. Winter automotive maintenance includes anything that prepares your car for winter, from protecting sensitive components to ensuring proper visibility. Auto repair shops approach the process in two ways; preparing the car for the worse possible weather conditions and making important repairs that insure the long-term functionality of your car. You might have to grit your teeth and personally gird yourself for a long harsh winter, but winter automotive maintenance is much easier than most people think. Most importantly, any efforts you put in now can increase safety while decreasi ... read more

How to Get Honest Auto Repairs When you take your car in to the auto shop for servicing, you have every reason to expect to be treated with honesty and integrity. However, it's pretty hard to know when you are lied to, over charged, or taken advantage of, when automotive care is not your expertise. So how do you know when you are getting honest auto repairs? It all boils down to the details. What You Should Expect With Routine Maintenance Taking your car into the auto shop for routine maintenance is always a good idea. It prolongs the car's useful life, prevents larger repair bills, and it prevents you from having to deal with unexpected problems and expenses, or wondering whether or not you really need this repair. When you take your vehicle into the auto shop, the technician should tell you what services will be performed, how long it will take, and the cost. Honest auto shops want you to know these details and strive to perform the ... read more

Vehicles are extremely complicated machines, and any number of parts can malfunction. In a society that relies so heavily on their vehicles for work and recreation, an unexpected breakdown can spell disaster. However, increasing numbers of car owners are neglecting routine maintenance and ignoring the common signs of a need for engine repair that could leave them stranded and with huge repair bills. Getting the most out of your vehicle means keeping it in the best shape possible, and that requires knowing and acting on important warning signs that your vehicle needs engine repair or maintenance. If you want to avoid the inconvenience of a breakdown, take your vehicle in to your auto repair shop when you notice any of these signs of engine problems. Warning Lights That pesky “check engine” light is hard to miss, but many people do not take it as seriously as they should, especially if the light is not identifying a specific problem. Warning lights are c ... read more

If you own a service fleet of trucks, trailers or vans, you know how difficult it can be to find a reliable repair service that will perform good maintenance and take great care of your fleet vehicles. It's important to find a shop and technicians that know your business and know the unique needs of fleet vehicles. Why is regular maintenance for fleet vehicles so important? You may not think of your fleet vehicles as needing regular maintenance, but fleet vehicles often acquire mileage faster than most person vehicles if they spend the majority of the day driving, instead of just commuting like personal cars. Scheduled, routine maintenance helps your fleet vehicles stay in great shape and in peak performance - which makes for easier driving, better gas mileage and minimal repair costs down the line. In addition to the repair costs of major part failure, when your fleet vehicle is out of commission, you know that you not only incur costs from the repair, but the detrime ... read more