Berkeley Auto Repair

Most drivers tend to forget about their car’s legs – yes, we are referring to your tires. They play an integral role in the safety and performance of our cars. Not only should you maintain its pressure, but you should pay attention to its tread wear and pattern. Let’s not forget that they can sometimes get damaged too. Overall, tire health can drastically make a difference in your vehicle’s handling and braking performance.   All the factors mentioned above can play a part in determining when your next tire change is. To be specific, here are several indications that mean you’re due for a tire replacement: Poor Air Pressure - If one or more of your tires struggle to retain air pressure, you should have it checked out for damage. In some cases, a tire can be patched. Severe penetrations can require a replacement instead.  Low Tire Tread or Bald Tires - Naturally, when the ridges on our tires get too low – it is time to change out your ti ... read more

The transmission fluid is one of the most vital parts of a healthy and well-performing vehicle. This is the fluid that lubricates the gears, transmission, bearings, and all metal components of an automatic and manual gearbox. It, therefore, keeps the metallic components from grinding against each other, tearing and wearing the surfaces. Usually, transmission fluid is red or pinkish, although, on rare occasions, you might find them in other colors. It is typically translucent when fresh and in perfect condition and appears brown, dark- red and sometimes milky when it goes bad. So Does the Warning Come Light Come On for Low Transmission Fluid? There are numerous signs of low transmission fluid, and the engine warning light is one of them. This is the fastest and easiest way to detect a car's problem. The light is part of a vehicle's onboard diagnostic system. A warning light mostly indicates a higher fluid temperature than usual, and you might want to ... read more

Inflation is raising the cost of nearly everything, especially gas. Taking steps to go further on one tank will help you save money on gas and reduce the number of trips to the gas station you have to make. Here are some tips to help you increase your vehicle's fuel efficiency. Drive More Smoothly One of the best ways to increase your fuel efficiency is to avoid rapid acceleration and hard braking. By driving smoothly and coming to gradual stops, you can avoid wasting gas. Stopping and starting reduces fuel economy by up to 30% on the highway. Shift Gears Conservatively Downshifting to slow down reduces your fuel efficiency. Instead, upshift as soon as you are able and use your brakes to slow down rather than downshifting. Follow the Speed Limit Increasing your speed actually decreases fuel efficiency. Reduce your driving speed after about 50 miles per hour if you can, even on highways. Utiliz ... read more

Many car owners use windshield washer solvent to keep their windshield clean. It is a chemical-based product that cleans and shines the windshield. However, it could be dangerous to use water in place of the windshield wiper fluid because it will damage the paint on your car. Although, water is environmentally-friendly. If you're wondering if you can use water as a windshield washer solution, read on: Why Can't You Replace Your Wiper Fluid With Regular Water? While it might seem like replacing your wiper fluid with water would be a simple fix, there are some drawbacks. One drawback is that it will corrode the wiper blades and cause them to wear out faster. It also leaves streaks on the windshield that are difficult to remove. Another drawback is that too much water can cause rust spots in the vehicle's metal parts. Regular water isn't a viable replacement for wiper fluid because it doesn't work well on ice and snow. If it was just replacing the fluid with any ... read more

Travel time with family and friends today is often spent with everyone occupying themselves with a smartphone or tablet. Getting caught up in the digital device world is a common reality, but most of us could benefit from an occasional screen time break and more human interaction. With a little pre-trip planning, your traveling crew can share some device-free laughter and lighthearted competition. We've put together some fun road trip games that are sure to beat travel boredom. 21 Questions - Select a passenger to think of a place, person, or thing, but they don't say it aloud. The other passengers get to take turns asking up to a total of 21 questions, OR until someone guesses the mystery answer correctly. The one who guessed correctly wins and gets to choose the next mystery answer. Casting Call Game - Movie fans will like this one! The first person chooses a name of any actor or actress. The next person has 30 seconds to come up with a mov ... read more

Your car battery should have a life of up to five years with due attention and care taken to it. However, it will be important to know what causes your car battery to deteriorate and the signs that will tell you when your car battery needs replaced. Here are some tips for helping you discern whether or not it's time to change your battery. The causes of car battery deterioration There are a few causes to bear in mind that can lead to a shortening of your battery's lifespan. Knowing them can help you prevent your car battery from deteriorating and needing to replace the battery sooner. They include: Harsh weather conditions - Warm weather can lead to the battery fluid evaporating. Cold weather can cause drainage of the last bit of fluid left. Lights being left on - This can cause the car battery to die and require jump-starting to get it moving again. Having to jump-start your car can cause the battery to wear out quicker ... read more

It's scary to think about driving and suddenly have one of your tires go flat. That is why it is important to always have the proper tools and parts on hand in preparation for a flat tire. You will need the following items: Car jack Wrench Spare tire A flashlight (if it is dark) After you notice that your tire has gone flat in the middle of your drive, the first thing you should do is find a safe spot to pull over. Please make sure you have your hazards on to signal your whereabouts to others. Once you've gathered your tools and spare, it's time to change the tire. Step 1: Loosen the bolts on the wheels Using the wrench, loosen the bolts on the wheel by turning them counter-clockwise. Do not remove the bolts all the way quite yet. Step 2: Raise the car Secure the jack at the proper points and turn the lever clockwise. Proceed to raise the car until it reaches approximately six inches off the ground. Step 3: Pull off the tire After the vehicle is raised, remove the ... read more

What Can a Tune-up Do? A tune up can save your engine. It can increase its life span and make driving easier. Getting a regular tune-up should involve an initial inspection of your entire engine to check for items such as your fuel pump to ensure that it is in proper working order. Your mechanic should check all parts, top off fluids as needed, and even inspect the fuel injector for safety and efficiency. Spark plugs and filters should be examined to see if they are clean and in good condition. All items should be covered, from the car's ignition to the air, oil and gas filters. What is needed depends on what your mechanic discovers at the time that this critical inspection is performed. In the meantime, there are symptoms that tell you when it's time for a tune-up. When Your Car Needs a Tune-up: What You Need to Know You start your engine and suddenly your lights come on and stay on while you're driving. You may begin to notice that yo ... read more

Brake pads are a necessary part of your car's brake system that needs to be replaced every so often. These pads provide friction that is able to stop your vehicle smoothly and efficiently. To bring your vehicle to a safe stop, the brake pads clamp onto the brake rotor based on how hard you step on your brake pedal. What Are Brake Pads Made Out Of? Generally, there are three kinds of brake pads: organic, semi-metallic (or metallic), and ceramic.  Organic Brake Pads These brake pads are typically made of various materials such as rubber or carbon. These types of brake pads are best recommended for those who primarily use their cars for everyday commutes. They are also the lowest price point of the three choices, but they require the most frequent service.  Semi-Metallic/Metallic Brake Pads  Semi-metallic and metallic brake pads contain strong metals like copper, iron, and steel. This type of brake pad is widely used in high-performance vehicles. Metallic brakes o ... read more

Did you know that approximately 50 million people in America travel for Thanksgiving every year? And the most astonishing fact is that about 90% of that number will do it by driving. With tons of people expected to travel again this year for the holidays, you will need to do a lot of car prep before then. Please get home safely to be with your family for turkey dinner. To get that extra layer of safety, we recommend that you come into Oceanworks Berkeley for a pre-trip inspection.   With all the driving logistics aside, we thought we'd share some interesting facts about this beloved American holiday. These may or may not surprise you! The first Thanksgiving celebrated was in 1621 by the Plymouth pilgrims and the Wampanoag people, and it was a 3-day celebration. However, America did not declare it as a national holiday until Abraham Lincoln did it in 1863. The average American eats 2,000+ calories in one meal or 4,500 calories in total on Thanksgiving day! That's equiva ... read more