Encinitas Auto Repair

A safe and smooth driving experience depends upon a well-functioning vehicle. There are numerous components housed in a car's engine that are crucial for its proper operation. One of these vital elements is a thermostat, which enables the car engine to work at an optimum temperature by regulating the flow of coolant. Thermostat- a small yet effective device A thermostat is a small device that is positioned in between the car engine and radiator. It consists of a wax-filled cylinder, two valves-main and by-pass, and a spring. Car engines need an optimal temperature range, which is 194°F or 90°C, to function effectively. The valves function to maintain this temperature by allowing or blocking the passage of coolant. The valves are shut tight to restrict the movement of the coolant when the engine starts. As soon as the engine warms up, the valves open wide, allowing the coolant to dissipate the retained heat in the radiator. How does a Thermostat work in the Car's Cool ... read more

Dealing with engine trouble is never fun - especially if your engine is completely ruined to the point of no return. Severe engine damage can lead to either needing it completely replaced or rebuilt, which can be costly to do. If your vehicle is older, you may wonder if replacing the engine is worth it, or if getting a new vehicle altogether is a better route.  In some cases, replacing an engine instead of getting a new vehicle can actually make sense monetarily. It can cost a lot less and can help you avoid the fees that can come when acquiring a new vehicle, such as taxes and insurance.  Here are some things to consider when it comes to engine replacement:  If the rest of the vehicle is in good condition mechanically and is a newer vehicle, an engine replacement could be the best option budget-wise.  Engine replacement or rebuilding can be cost-effective when it comes to saving money rather than spending thousands on a new vehicle.  A rebuilt engine typi ... read more

Sprinter vans are great vehicles for a number of different purposes. Sprinter vans can be great for businesses as well as personal uses, and can even be completely remodeled into small living spaces. If you drive a sprinter van, you may be wondering what type of maintenance your van needs to run at its best. Business or personal, you expect your sprinter van to get you where you need to go. Since these vans are more complex, they do require regular inspections and service.  The best source for understanding what type of maintenance your sprinter van needs to by referring to factory recommendations. These can be found either in your vehicle's owner's manual or by looking online for what the manufacturer of your van recommends. Staying on top of these recommendations is a great way to not only protect any warranties you may have, but also to prevent major issues from occurring over time that can be costly to repair.  Another great way to stay on top of your van's ... read more

If you own a BMW, you understand the importance of regular car care and maintenance. Fall is one of the best times of year to take a good look at your vehicle and take care of those pesky service items that you've been putting off for the past couple of months.  The summer can wear down our vehicles faster, which is why the fall season gives us a good understanding of what our vehicles need moving into the new season. The weather will start changing quickly, and more than ever it will be important to ensure that your BMW will remain safe and reliable on the road.  If you've been driving around your BMW all summer, you've probably noticed that it's tired and needs a bit of a tune-up to get pumped up for the fall season. Here are some of our recommended maintenance items to take care of now to get your vehicle prepped for autumn: Check your tires for proper tread, condition, and air pressure Confirm that all major fluids are clean and topped-off Get an engi ... read more

The world today looks a lot different than it did 6 months ago. Social distancing and limiting our interaction with others may have left your vehicle sitting untouched for days or even weeks at a time. While it may seem harmless to not use your vehicle, the truth is a car sitting without being driven isn't always a good thing. There are certain ways that you can both store your vehicle properly and take care of it while being idle that will prevent you from having to deal with a dead vehicle when you need it.  A car sitting idle starts to have issues after a few weeks if it remains untouched, with a few contributing factors considered. Ideally, you want to start up your car at least once a week and drive it around for a good 20 minutes to help recharge the battery and get the fluids running.  Let's look at some of the components that can suffer when your vehicle is left untouched for an extended period of time: A battery can slowly lose charge after a while, especi ... read more

Here in Encinitas, we are no stranger to the heat during the summer months. We are nearing the start of our official summer season, and you may be thinking about taking a road trip some time during the next couple months as our shelter in place orders begin to lift.  The hot summer weather definitely does take a toll on our vehicles, and doing what you can to prepare your car for summer will help you avoid summer car trouble. Here are some ways in which you can get your car ready for summer:  Test and clean your vehicle's battery; replace if it's nearing the end of its life (the heat can accelerate battery wear) Inspect all important fluids such as transmission fluid, brake fluid, power steering and more. Fluids tend to evaporate faster in very hot climates.  Test your vehicle's A/C system and have it repaired or recharged if needed.   Check tires for correct tire pressure and excessive wear.  Having a cooling system inspection performed ... read more

Getting a flat tire while driving can be a scary occurrence, one which all of us want to avoid. A flat tire can happen because of a number of reasons, some which can be controlled and others which cannot, like driving over a nail. Luckily, there are some ways in which you can help prevent a flat tire from occurring. Correct Tire Pressure Ensuring that your vehicle's tires always have the proper tire pressure is vital to the safety of your vehicle. Driving with under inflated or overinflated tires puts you at risk for a tire blowout. Plus, driving with the wrong tire pressure decreases your overall fuel efficiency and can significantly wear down your tires. Most vehicles are equipped with a TPMS, or tire pressure monitoring system, which will alert you when your tire pressure is lower than 25%. However, we recommend a tire pressure check at least once a month.  Rotate Your Tires Proper tire rotation is another way to keep your tires in exce ... read more

The Governor of California has announced a mandate for all Californians to shelter in place and remain at home unless traveling to work or traveling to an essential store or establishment. Here at Complete Car Care Encinitas, we are still open during the COVID-19 outbreak. Auto repair is considered an essential business here in California, because auto care is needed for those who are still driving to get supplies or go to work.  While we understand that leaving your house and visiting a public place can be scary, we want you to have confidence that we are taking extra measures to ensure that our shop is clean and sanitized. We can service you by providing you your paper work outside in our parking lot, and take your keys from you without entering our lobby. Our new tentative operating hours are: Monday- Saturday From 08:00 AM to 03:00 PM Give us a all today to schedule your next service! It is our top priority to ensure that we are helping to prevent th ... read more

The cooling system in your vehicle is a very important group of working components. The job of this system is to essential keep your engine cool and working at an optimum temperature to protect your engine parts and ensure a smooth ride. In order to do this, the cooling system will circulate coolant throughout the engine to lubricate parts and act as a heat barrier to control the engine's temperature. If you've ever opened up your car's hood and stuck your hand in there, you've probably noticed just how dirty it is in there. You can imagine how much dirt and grime liquid flowing through the engine would pick up daily, and this is why a cooling system flush is an important service.  Over time, the coolant will become dirty which will affect its overall efficiency for both cleaning and lubricating parts. The engine can be costly repair, so protecting this major car part at all costs is vital to your safety and, lets face it, your wallet. A cooling system flush will ... read more

We've all been there - driving to a destination when you look down to your dashboard and see that your gas is on empty. You're faced with a dilemma, do you find a gas station immediately, or do you think you can make it to your destination? In turn comes the age old question, how far can you drive your vehicle while it is on an empty tank of gas? Many newer cars will actually let know you how many miles you have left. This is helpful, but not always 100% accurate. If your gas light is on, we recommend filling your tank as soon as you can. You never want to get stranded with no gas, especially when driving.  Driving with low fuel can actually cause damage to your vehicle. It can damage the fuel pump and cause problems with the catalytic converter. While driving with the gas tank light on once in a while is fine, doing this regularly can cause damage over time.  When the low fuel warning light is triggered, the amount of mileage your vehicle has until it completely s ... read more