Carlsbad Auto Repair

The radiator is a crucial part of your cooling system that many drivers often neglect… until there’s a problem with it. It plays a part in distributing the coolant to your engine. When your radiator fails, the entire system is in danger. It will cause your engine temperature to rise and run the risk of overheating.    For the above reasons, it is important that we share some of the most common radiator problems, how to avoid them, and how we can fix them at our Carlsbad auto repair shop. Leaks The most common issue with radiators is leaking, often from worn hoses or the radiator itself. The cooling system is very pressurized, which is why your hoses can deteriorate over time. Frequent checks of the cooling system can let us catch worn hoses before they leak. If the fluid lines are the problem, we can the hoses at Carlsbad Auto Services. Rusty Radiator As mentioned earlier, the radiator itself can cause leaks. Since the radiator is a metallic piece that come ... read more

With Earth Day coming up, you may be considering ways to help preserve the environment. When it comes to eco-friendly driving hacks, the best way to limit vehicle emissions is by keeping up with regular vehicle maintenance and implementing good safety habits. You can also consider switching to a hybrid or electric vehicle if you're ready for a big change. Below are some of our favorite "green" auto tips: Don't ignore the check engine light - Today, vehicle emission systems are much cleaner than they were years ago. Although, a poorly running engine or malfunctioning exhaust system can cause your vehicle to pollute the air. Therefore, you should get help when you see the check engine warning light. Keep tires properly inflated - Having properly inflated tires will make your engine work less and save you money on gas. You should regularly check your tire pressure and adjust the psi according to your automaker's recommen ... read more

Lighting is critical for a safe and comfortable drive, especially at night or during a bad storm. If you feel like your headlights worsen your drives' quality rather than helping, they may be oxidized. It is pretty standard for headlights to become grimy and yellow as your car ages, so know that you aren't the only driver facing this obstacle. Fortunately, a headlight restoration from Carlsbad Auto Service can cure your problem.   Most headlights on vehicles today are made of polycarbonate, a heavy-duty plastic, instead of glass. Though the material may be stronger and shatter-resistant, its drawback is that the plastic is prone to oxidation, discoloration/yellowing, scuffing, scratches from debris, and other general wear and tear. As a result, you may require a headlight restoration to have your headlamps looking shiny, clean, and polished again.   At Carlsbad Auto Service, our trained technicians will start the service off by sanding or buffing the lens covering ... read more

The state of California requires many of its motorists and their vehicles to undergo a smog test to become registered vehicles on the road. While you can find various smog centers at every corner, you should pick Star Certified Smog Check Test Centers or Star Test and Repair Centers like Carlsbad Auto Service.   Why Get a Smog Check at a Star Station The difference between a Star Center smog check and a regular smog test is that STAR stations have been approved by the California State Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) with particular distinctions. The following is more information regarding smog stations: Standard smog test stations can carry out the test and certify your vehicle if it passes. On the other hand, smog repair stations can only do the necessary repairs to help your car pass the emissions test. STAR stations can be a test only or both test and repair shops. However, STAR stations are licensed smog check stations that meet higher performance standards to ensure th ... read more

All cars need to be serviced, even the most reliable ones, making Toyota no exception. In most circumstances, Toyota recommends that Toyota owners schedule a service every six months or 5000 miles. The maintenance during each visit also varies by your vehicle model and year, driving conditions, and other factors that our certified mechanics can evaluate. It will often involve essential maintenance items such as tire rotations, oil changes, and an overall inspection of your fluids, brakes, tires, and wiper blades. The Carlsbad Auto Service team will do whatever is needed as outlined in your factory maintenance schedule.   More specifically, a Toyota Camry maintenance service often includes a tire rotation and tire pressure reset. The oil service portion of the appointment will consist of an oil change and oil filter replacement. Some Toyota owners prefer synthetic oil, which doesn't require frequent oil changes. Your professional Toyota service technician at Carlsbad Auto Ser ... read more

It has happened to all of us. You're driving along, unbothered, jamming out to your music when the dreaded event occurs: a light pops up on your dashboard that wasn't there before. It's important to stay calm, take a deep breath, and check your vehicle's manual to see what exactly has happened. In the case of a TPMS warning light popping up (tire pressure monitoring system), we are here to help you with the next steps!   What is a TPMS Warning Light? The TPMS warning light on your dashboard typically will have a sort of horseshoe-looking symbol with an exclamation point inside. This warning light is there to alert you when your tire pressure is too low, thus jeopardizing the safety of you and others on the road. If this light appears on your dashboard, it means that your tires aren't inflated as they should be which could lead to serious problems such as tire blowouts, excess tire wear, and others.   What Do You Do Next ... read more

Black Friday is a crazy time to be out and about; the roads and parking lots will be packed with impatient and short-tempered shoppers this year. According to Progressive Insurance, there are 34% more vehicle accidents on Black Friday than usual. And about a third of those collisions happen in a parking lot. If you plan on going out to get a deal on your holiday shopping, you may want to brush up on your parking skills beforehand. We've put together this guide to make sure you get through the day safely! Be Alert - As a pedestrian and a driver, please stay alert in crowded areas. Even if you think you have the right of way, other drivers may get distracted or be impatient. Reverse Out of Your Parking Spot Carefully - Leaving your parking spot could be the most critical part of your shopping day, especially if many cars are searching for vacant spots. With a limited field of view, many things can go wrong. To be more cautious, triple-check the path behind you and then back up extr ... read more

If you've had your vehicle for a while, you're probably accustomed to how it operates and the sort of sounds it makes. This is why you may be taken back a bit if you overhear an unusual sound mid-drive. Depending on what you overhear, your vehicle could signal something wrong, and you need to take a trip to the auto shop soon. Here are some everyday car noises that may indicate trouble: Screeching that emanates from under the hood can indicate a defective belt or pully. The screeching sound can sometimes occur in a pattern. For instance, you may hear the screech every time the strap makes a loop.  A hissing sound under the hood can mean you have a damaged pipe. A broken hose or pipe can lead to all sorts of fluid leaks, so it's best to take it to Carlsbad pronto. A metal clanking sound means there's a problematic metal-to-metal contact somewhere in the vehicle. It can be due to having too low motor oil, causing friction with engine parts. If you hear high-pitch ... read more

Like your engine oil or coolant, it's also essential to check your transmission fluid level to ensure it's at the level it needs to be. It is only possible if your vehicle doesn't have a closed or sealed transmission system. When your transmission fluid levels get low, you will need to bring it to a trusted auto repair shop for a transmission fluid flush or exchange, as well as an inspection of the entire transmission system.   First, Locate the Dipstick Your vehicle should come equipped with a transmission fluid dipstick for inspection purposes. It looks very similar to the oil dipstick but can be more challenging to find. Most of the time, it has a red handle on top. Front-wheel vehicles tend to have the dipstick positioned at the front of the engine near the transaxle. In contrast, it is closer to the back of the engine in rear-wheel-drive vehicles. If you are still struggling to locate the dipstick, please refer to your owner's manual.    How to ... read more

Simply starting your car has significant implications for your engine. Over your vehicle's lifetime, air and fuel sediments can build up on the engine's components, such as the piston crowns, injection novels, and combustion chambers. The debris can choke the air induction system causing the motor to work harder. In some instances, gas mileage may be impacted and hurt your wallet every time you fill up. A fuel induction service may be your best bet to remove carbon deposits and other contaminants and restore your induction system.   Here are some of the signs to look out for that may indicate you need a fuel induction cleaning: You notice a significant loss of engine power. Your commute is rougher than usual.  You perceive shakiness when your vehicle is idling.  The check engine light comes on your dashboard.  Your car fails the emission test.  Before a fuel induction service, our skillful mechanics will inspect your vehicle to ensure we perform ... read more