Encinitas Auto Repair

There are many different types of fluids that your car may emit occasionally. Luckily, most shouldn't worry you, but some may need you to act promptly for your safety and the durability of your vehicle. Below are some common types of car fluid leaks and a few pointers to help you know what they are before going to your local auto repair technician. Oil Leaks A black puddle under your vehicle is often a sign of an oil leak. Oil leaks typically occur in gaskets and the oil pan inside the engine. If you notice an oil leak, it may be due to broken gaskets, which your nearest auto repair professional can fix upon request. Coolant Leaks If you notice a pink, orange, or bright-green fluid coming out of your vehicle, it's a sign that it may have a coolant leak. The coolant, commonly known as antifreeze, is used in the car's radiator to prevent it from freezing over during cold weather. While leaking antifreeze may be acceptable in older cars, modern vehicles have features to ... read more

Depending on your local driving laws, you may be required to have an emission test performed on your vehicle periodically. In some areas, this is needed annually or every two years. Whether or not you need this performed can also depend upon the age and make and model of your vehicle. So, why are car emissions tests important? Standard gas vehicles have engines that emit harmful gasses. The catalytic converter helps to convert those gasses as they are processed through the exhaust system. An emissions test makes sure that your vehicle's exhaust system is working properly so that your vehicle's emissions are not as harmful to the environment. In order for your vehicle to pass an emissions test, it needs to meet the standards put in place when it comes to the number of harmful gasses that are released. Typically, if your vehicle has a check engine light on, your car will not pass emissions. Here are a few other reasons why your car may not pass an emissions test: The oxygen se ... read more

There is nothing more important than securing your safety on the road by having regular brake checks and maintenance. Without brake maintenance, you risk brake fade and brake failure. One issue that is commonly found during brake inspections are sticky calipers, which often lead to vehicle pulling when the brakes are engaged. Read on to learn more about the dangers of malfunctioning calipers.   Most cars have 2-4 calipers in their primary brake system. They can become sticky if the piston starts to malfunction. The piston sits inside the caliper to push hydraulic fluid into the brake system, which is necessary to engage the brake pads and rotors. Without this chain of events, your car will struggle to come to a full stop. Sticky calipers are usually caused by a leak of brake fluid from the hoses or cushion that protects the piston. As a result, you will be unable to attain effective braking and experience vehicle pulling.     Other Symptoms of Sticky Calipers T ... read more

Before deciding whether or not to convert to synthetic oil or even synthetic blend, you must research beforehand.   Synthetic oil is comprised of petroleum components along with organic and inorganic ingredients. These compounds are chemically engineered and are far more complex than the ones found in traditional oils. The additives in synthetic lubricants are purer and more consistent, which provide longevity between every oil change. Whereas the ingredients found in conventional oil are lower in quality, requiring more frequent oil changes.   Some individuals opt for semi-synthetic blends, which have components of both conventional and synthetic lubricants. However, these are still less pure and uniform than fully synthetic oils.   Did you know that more than 70% of new cars use synthetic or semi-synthetic oil than conventional oil? Most people tend to believe that synthetic oils lubricate engines more efficiently than conventional oils and synthetic blends. The ... read more

Some states, including California, require vehicles to undergo a smog test to become registered. While there are various smog test stations to choose from, other test and repair stations, including Complete Car Care Encinitas, are Star Certified Smog Check Test Centers or Star Test and Repair Centers.    What's the Difference Between a Regular Smog Center and a Star Smog Center? The difference between the two types of stations is that the stations have been certified by the California State Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) under specific criteria.  Smog test centers can perform the test and give you a certification. Smog repair stations can only repair your vehicle so that you can pass the test.  Smog test and repair stations can do both testing and repairing. STAR stations, regardless of test only or both test and repair, are closely watched and advised by the Bureau of Automotive Repairs. These stations must undergo an extra set of certifications and p ... read more

If you're running low on engine oil in your car, it can severely hurt your engine. You need always to make sure you have enough, the right type, and at the right time. This is why every driver needs to learn how to examine their oil at some point or another. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to inspect your engine oil with a dipstick at home. Step #1 - Please start by ensuring your vehicle is parked on a flat surface so that you can get a precise reading. Follow by turning off the engine and waiting at least 10 minutes for your car to cool down. Step #2 - Next, prop the hood open to find the oil dipstick. It is usually orange or yellow. However, if you have trouble finding it, you can reference your owner's manual. Step #3 - Remove the dipstick. Though you're not required to wear gloves, it would be nice if you had them to keep your hands clean. Step #4 - Wipe off the oil on the dipstick (from the handle to the tip) with a rag or paper towel. The initial removal of yo ... read more

What makes a hybrid vehicle a hybrid is that it is part electric motor, part gas engine. Hybrid cars used to be a high-tech concept many decades ago, but as everyone is normalizing the use of full-on electric vehicles, it no longer gets the 'oohs' and 'ahs'. Whether due to an increase in consumer preferences for eco-friendly options or a general motive to save money on gas, hybrids have become a regular thing. Today, we'll go over the pros and cons of owning one of these vehicles. Do you really get the best of both worlds? Pros Environmentally Friendly - One of the primary reasons people switch to hybrid vehicles is that they run cleaner and have higher gas efficiency than conventional gasoline-powered vehicles. Excellent MPGs - An attractive aspect of the hybrid is its fuel efficiency compared to its counterpart. Let's compare the 2020 Toyota Camry Hybrid vs. the 2020 Non-Hybrid in MPGs. The hybrid model gets up to 51 mpg in the city and up to 53 mpg on the ... read more

Your muffler plays a key role in your car. If you have a muffler that's not working properly, it can cause an array of problems. For instance, a broken muffler can lead to exhaust back pressure which can cause damage to other components that affect the drivability of your vehicle.   You may be wondering, "How do I know if my muffler has gone bad?". There are some obvious (and not so obvious) signs. Let's take a look:   Your muffler makes loud sounds. The most striking sign that your muffler needs replacing is if you hear any loud or strange noises coming from the backend of your car. One of the primary purposes of the muffler is to reduce the roaring sounds produced by your exhaust system. Cracks or perforations in the muffler are typically what cause it to become disruptive.   A bad smell is coming from your muffler. Another warning symptom that your muffler needs to be swapped out is if you begin to smell a putrid stench coming from your car ... read more

Most drivers rely on their insights or even warning lights on their dashboards to know when their vehicle needs service. However, there are some automobile parts, such as shocks and struts, that do not display any apparent warnings. The suspension system, which includes these parts, is highly complex. You would have to depend on knowledge and research to understand when your shocks and struts are worn out.   All vehicles come with shocks, struts, or both. Shocks, also known as shock absorbers, regulate the springs. They are liable for making sure your car doesn't bounce excessively on rough surfaces. Shocks convert kinetic energy absorbed from the road into thermal energy, which minimizes shock. Struts serve a comparable purpose and support the weight of your vehicle, which contributes to the vehicle's alignment. Both shocks and struts are vital for ensuring your vehicle's steering, handling, and safety. Consequently, they wear out rather quickly due to continuous pr ... read more

  Most of us can't go a day, an hour, or even minutes without our phones, since they carry apps that make our lives a little easier, including driving. For instance, some apps have taken the place of the traditional paper road map and GPS devices. It's pretty nifty! We've found and assembled a list of free apps that every driver should incorporate into their routine.   TOP 4 APPS THAT EVERY DRIVER SHOULD HAVE: Waze If you haven't heard of Waze, then you must be living under a rock. This app is no ordinary GPS app. Waze offers real-time, user-submitted data that can give you instant information on the conditions of your route. You can be notified by all sorts of potential trouble such as hidden police traps, roadwork, stopped vehicles, and even roadkill. Other app users, known as "Wazers," usually submit these warnings.    Gasbuddy We all know fuel is one of the most expensive (yet frequent) expenses for our cars. However, you can dep ... read more