Aliso Viejo Auto Repair

Welcome back, spring-- a time for new beginnings and new adventures. Is your car in good enough condition to travel? The roads are clear, the weather is nice, and hopefully, your car is running smoothly.  Here are five reasons why springtime is the perfect time to get maintenance for your vehicle:  Spring is the time for renewal. The winter weather is very hard on a car, especially your starter and alternator. It takes your car’s battery extra effort to get your vehicle going. Now that its spring, and hearts are lighter, you should give your car some renewing energy. Test your battery, starter, and alternator. Get your fluids topped off (such as engine oil, brake fluid, power steering fluid, coolant, automatic transmission fluid, etc.). This kind of attention to your car’s needs will help identify any underlying issues.  Roads are clear from the snow and storms. With the worst weather gone after wintertime, you’re fre ... read more

Brake rotors are an important part of your vehicle; they spin with and stop the wheels when the brake pads fasten down on them. There is a lot of heat that the brake rotors withstand in the process of braking; the need to dissolve the heat in a quick manner is there so the brake pads can be pressed down again. The surface of the brake rotors can become uneven over time all due to the mass amount of heat… this is also known as warping. When your brake rotors warp it can cause the brakes on your vehicle to become jittery and they will be less effective. When you think of brake warping you should know it means there is an uneven surface that is caused by heat. There are several ways in which your brake rotors can be warped; they include: Your brake rotors can become glazed with material that comes from your brake pads. This can happen when the brake pads get extremely hot which can cause the pad material to rub off onto the brake rotors. This will cause the surface of your brake ... read more

It’s March, which means it’s the first point in the new year that people start planning road trips. With COVID-19 vaccinations underway, we may see heavy road congestions this year during Spring Break. What about your family? Do you have plans for a week-long getaway? If you’re planning on taking a trip this Spring Break, it’s essential to know the five ways to get the family vehicle ready for a Spring Break excursion: Check your brakes. Brakes are number one for a reason. Spring weather can mean slick roads and ice. Check how often your car’s manufacturer says to replace the pads, and if there’s any indication that you need to replace them already (squealing, shaking, or the car pulling left or right), schedule maintenance with your mechanic. Check out the suspension. Your suspension is essential, not just to your family’s comfort, but to stay on the road. Heed the signs of a suspension breakdown. ... read more

Coolant, also called antifreeze, does exactly that -- it cools, and prevents freezing! Your car's cooling system needs coolant to regulate the temperature of your engine and prevent overheating. On the other end of the spectrum, it prevents your engine from freezing in the event of very cold temperatures. How is it possible? Although it may seem like magic, there's a perfectly reasonable -- and scientific -- explanation for why one colorful liquid can do two seemingly opposite jobs. The main active ingredient that is used in most coolant/antifreeze is a chemical called ethylene glycol, which is mixed with water before putting it in your car. As you may know, water has a boiling point of 100 degrees Celsius (212 Fahrenheit) and a freezing point of 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit). When you combine equal parts water and ethylene glycol, the boiling point is raised to 106 degrees Celsius (220 degrees Fahrenheit) and the freezing point is lowered to -37 degrees Celsius ... read more

Welcome to another February in Aliso Viejo! February is an active month with plenty of activities for everyone. In one week, we'll watch the Super Bowl, and in two weeks, we'll celebrate Valentine's Day on the weekend!   Gift-giving Car owners tend to buy themselves their favorite things, so it might be hard to shop for one. But if you're determined to get your car lover a gift for Valentine's Day, here are some of our favorite gifts for car enthusiasts!    Because their coffee table demands it, give them the book that they will love pouring over many times. Give them Car: The Definitive Visual History of the Automobile.   Because they might someday get stuck somewhere and need to see in the dark, we recommend they ... read more