Encinitas Auto Repair

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

    When it comes to the summertime, many drivers don't realize that the intense heat can take a toll on their vehicles. Not only is the temperature increasing, but more and more people are on the roads as well. As a result, some vehicle owners find themselves having trouble starting their cars during the summer. A stalling vehicle might make you wonder: can the summer heat drain out your battery?   Your car battery is so important because it helps power your vehicle upon start-up and helps to keep your electrical parts running. The composition of your car's battery is much like a battery you use at home, like a AAA battery in the sense that your battery runs on battery acid. Without battery acid, the battery will not work anymore and loses its "juice."    The truth is, the warmer weather does, in fact, cause your battery's acid to evaporate quicker. This decrease in the battery acid can cause a reduction in the battery's overall ... read more

Brake pads are a vital component of the entire braking system in your vehicle. They provide the extra padding needed for a smooth, even stop. They are often made of certain compounds that impact brake performance for better or for worse. The frequency of time needed in getting your brake pads changed is contingent upon a few possible factors, one being your level of mileage. Some makes and models require that you have new brake pads installed in as little as 25,000 miles, while with other models, you can wait until you've reached 50,000 miles. There are some vehicles where brake pad replacement is not necessary until you've driven a total of 75,000 miles. In any case, your safest bet would be to have them checked whenever you schedule a routine tire rotation. Other times will require you to be aware of any signs that your brake pads are starting to wear out, as there are just a few that you should be aware of. The first problem that crops up is any type of strange squealing ... read more

Every car has an inbuilt computer that uses notifications to alert you of a problem in any part of the vehicle. Therefore, none of the warnings are optional. The check engine light is one of these notifications and is usually located just below the steering wheel. The problems are stored in a trouble code that can be decoded by an electronic scan tool. Can I Drive with the Light On? The action to take when the 'Check Light' illuminates depends on the behavior of the light. If the light flashes for more than six seconds, the problem could be a major one, and you should stop to check the car. In most cases, you will notice a problem with the vehicle. However, if the light does not flash, you can keep driving if the vehicle is not having operational issues. Make sure that a mechanic has diagnosed the problem and fixed it as soon as possible. What are the Reasons for the Check Engine Light Illumination? The check engine light could illuminate f ... read more

If you hear those annoying clunking noises when going over bumps, it means that something is wrong with the suspension system. Since the suspension system includes various parts, any of them could be faulty. These are the areas to check the next time you hear these sounds on the road. Worn or Damaged Struts When struts are damaged, the strut shocks fail to perform as they should. Also, the strut housing may get dented, causing shocks to keep popping in and out of the strut tube. You can also try to steer the car wheels and check for noises. Worn or Damaged Leaf Spring Shackles Leaf springs are found on trailers, trucks, vans, and SUVs to aid in off-road conditions. Unfortunately, leaf springs may bend or break. When they do, they produce a clunking sound. This problem is usually found on one end of the leaf spring shackles. Damaged or Worn Control Arms Control arms can wear out even in normal road conditions. The damage and wear ... read more