Carlsbad Auto Repair

Happy New Year from the team at Carlsbad Auto Service! We wish both you and your vehicle a happy and healthy New Year! The key to keeping your vehicle performing in tip-top shape throughout the year and even decade is preventative maintenance. This year one of your New Year’s resolutions should be to develop a preventative maintenance plan.  If you own a vehicle, it is very tempting to ignore any maintenance and play the waiting game until something goes wrong. However, as you can imagine, this is a bad idea. Most expensive and potentially dangerous auto repairs are easily preventable with a preventative maintenance plan.  You can think of preventative maintenance as a doctor’s trip for your vehicle. Just like how you go to the doctor for a check-up, your vehicle needs to see the technicians at Carlsbad Auto Service for a check-in. Our team will check your oil, tire pressure, and other routine maintenance designed to prolong the longevity of your vehicle. Our te ... read more

December is here, which means we are getting closer and closer to the most festive time of year. Just as quickly as the holidays get here, they seem to leave just as fast. It is important to take some time to cherish them because before we know it, New Years’ Day will be passing us by, and it will be January 2020.  Here are some holiday soundtracks to brighten your December and remind you why this time of year is so special:    'The Christmas Song': Nat King Cole (1961) 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas': Judy Garland (1944) 'Happy Xmas (War Is Over)': John Lennon (1971) 'Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree': Brenda Lee (1958) 'Santa Claus Is Coming to Town': Bruce Springsteen and Bon Jovi (2003) 'All I Want for Christmas Is You': Mariah Carey (1994) 'Christmas Time Is Here': Vince Guaraldi (1965) 'Santa Tell Me': Ariana Grande (2014) 'Jingle Bell Rock': Daryl Hall and John O ... read more

It is almost that time of year again: the holy trinity of holidays -- Thanksgiving, Chanukah, Christmas, and New Years. For many of us, this time of year means spending ample time with our families, whether they are traveling here to visit us, or we are traveling to them. If your family is visiting you for one of these holidays, you may be in search of some easy recipes. Here are some easy recipes we love when the family visits for the holidays:    Pork Chops with Parmesan Sauce Apple-topped Ham SteakBeef and Mushrooms with Smashed Potatoes Creamy Salmon Linguine ... read more

The countdown for Halloween starts now, as we have officially 31 days until the big event. Your little ones might already be planning their costume, and from Disney princesses to power rangers, the options are practically limitless. You might have forgotten about your vehicle, and with Halloween fast-approaching, it is the perfect time to think about decorating your trusty sidekick.  Decorating your vehicle for Halloween is a fun and festive way to up your Halloween game. You can dress up your car in a costume, park it outside your home, and watch the trick-or-treaters gather around. Here are a few ideas for cool car costumes:  This idea looks easy to complete, but still does the trick!  Now you can have your very own batmobile with this idea!  What a glamorous Honda! This is certainly creative. Maybe your little one could dress up as a princess, and then we would have princess and the frog for the complete collection.  If you are going for a traditional Hallo ... read more

It’s not just a myth; driving at night is proven to be more dangerous than driving during the day. Fatal accidents are three times more likely to occur in darkness rather than daylight. Why? The answer is straightforward -- you see less on the road, so your reaction time is diminished. The next time you are planning a nighttime ride, we encourage you to check out these tips. Here is how to stay safe while driving at night:  Drive a bit more defensively than you usually would. Nighttime can be full of terrors, as the saying goes. Fatal accidents involving alcohol are four times more likely to occur at night, compared to during the day.  If you’re tired, pull over, have a cup of coffee, and get some rest. If you are feeling drowsy, don’t risk it, and pull over.  Try to avoid two-lane highways. Often, two-lane highways are a recipe for nighttime glare due to the bright headlights on oncoming vehicles. Also, typically, two-lane roads are more narrow and ... read more

Is your little one not so little anymore? Are they getting ready to go behind the wheel and drive themselves to school? If your answer to both questions is yes, then you might find yourself a little nervous about the school year starting. The team at Carlsbad Auto Service is here to ease all your concerns. Here are some helpful tips for young drivers:  This may go without saying but always follow all traffic laws. You may be late to school and want to hurry through that red light, but remind yourself, safety always comes first.  Slow down! Speeding is the leading cause of fatal accidents for teen drivers.  Put that seat belt on, and don’t take it off until your car is turned off. In fatal accidents, more than 56% were found not to have their seatbelts on.  Avoid distractions. Out of sight, out of mind. We recommend putting your phone away, so you aren’t tempted to check that text message while driving.  Adjust your accessories before driving aw ... read more

The temperatures are rising, and the sun is shining, which means summer is officially here. It is easy for us to prepare for summertime -- bring out the bathing suits, sunscreen, and keep hydrated -- but we can’t forget about our vehicles. They are working overtime in the summer, and the summer heat does take a toll on them, just like it does to us. The team at Carlsbad Auto Service has a few tips and tricks designed to keep your car hydrated and cool during hot weather.  Here is how to avoid the hot weather blues:  At the beginning of summer, have a qualified technician examine your radiator and hoses for leaks and cracks. Our team will make sure there is no bulging, swelling, splitting.  Don't forget to have your coolant level checked periodically by a qualified technician. Low coolant level is one of the most common causes of overheating breakdowns. It's important to remember that when your vehicle's engine overheats, the automatic transmission is ... read more

A road trip is one of our favorite summer activities. It is excellent to spend our time in our vehicle, enjoying the open road and seeing all that California has to offer. Carlsbad is located within driving distance of many lovely places, so it was quite easy to put together a list of the top 5 best road trips from Carlsbad:  Palm Springs: Looking to spend some quality time near the pool, basking in the warm California sun? Palms Springs is the destination for you. Many resorts in the region are even dog-friendly.  Laguna Beach: There is so much more to love than just the beach here, including the quirky art scene, fun shopping places, and electric sunsets.  Los Angeles: The City of Angels may seem like your typical go-to destination, but don’t let the commonality steer you away. Los Angeles is always changing with something new on the scene for everyone, such as restaurants and the new vintage Silver Lake Pool and Inn.  Joshua Tree: Looking for an escape ... read more

Your vehicle is made up of various components, each aspect working harmoniously to ensure you arrive at each destination you drive to safely and securely. When we think of our vehicle’s engine, we think of the more complex pieces, such as the transmission or brakes. However, we can’t forget about the fluids in our vehicle, as every one of these fluids plays a crucial role in securing the longevity, driveability, and safety of your vehicle. Here are five fluids you should know about:   Brake Fluid: Want to not run into other cars? Keep an eye on your brake fluid, or have the technicians at Carlsbad Auto Service monitor this vital fluid. This fluid is pressurized and adds power to your braking system, so your brakes work, and you don’t run into other vehicles. Transmission Fluid: Transmission fluid keeps your transmission properly lubricated and cooled, and with the transmission being one of the most complicated components in your vehicle, it is essential to ... read more

We usually associate the term “spring cleaning” with our wardrobe or house, but we encourage you to apply this well-known expression to your vehicle. Our vehicle can take a beating with the colder temperatures and harsh road conditions of winter, and we believe a spring cleaning would be much appreciated.   To renew and restore your vehicle after winter, try these spring cleaning tips:  Wash and wax your vehicle: wash your vehicle from top to bottom to avoid dragging any dirt and grime upward. Washing and waxing your vehicle can add shine and protect the paint.  Don’t forget about the interior: focus specifically on your carpets and floor mats, as these components of the interior of your vehicle can act like a sponge, soaking up all that dirt, mud, and grime. A microfiber cloth and a cleaner can be used to clean your dashboard and any other surface in your vehicle.  Replace those wiper blades: your wiper blades are working in overtime duri ... read more