Huntington Beach Auto Repair

With Spring just around the corner, we may be experiencing some of those yearly Spring showers that typically come through California around March and April. With a rather dry year so far, you may have put off making sure that your vehicle is ready to drive in the rain. Did you know that dry weather can actually cause your vehicle's windshield wipers to dry out faster and fray more easily? Chances are, you may not have testing your windshield wipers in quite a while - and you may not realize that they aren't working as they should until you need them.  Here are some of our top safety tips for dealing with unexpected rainfall and what you should do to prepare your vehicle for the wet weather:  Inspect your exterior lights to ensure that they all work properly. This includes headlights, tail lights, brake lights, and blinkers. The rain can decrease visibility on the road, and you want your actions to be seen by other drivers.  Make sure that your tires are in gr ... read more

Brake problems are usually an indication that your brake system may need a brake repair or service. Brake issues can be scary, so having any problem addressed as soon as possible is important to your safety on the road. As soon as you notice an issue with your vehicle's brakes, get your car into the experts here at H B Auto & AC for an evaluation.  Here are some of the common fixes of brake problems:  Low brake fluid can be a cause of worn disc brake pads which can be replaced or there is a leak within the brake system. A leak of brake fluid can cause brake failure, so this is very important to address quickly.  If your brake pedal looks low, this means that the rear drum brakes may need to be readjusted. Worn brake linings and a brake fluid leak can also cause this.  If the brake pedal is soft or spongy, the brake fluid level is low or may have air bubbles. The fix is to bleed the brake line.  A brake pedal that goes to the floor in order to get b ... read more

It’s that time of the season when we start thinking about what changes or resolutions we plan to make for the upcoming year. 2019 has ended and we all hope that 2020 will bring us health and good fortune. Many people will think about what resolutions to make such as going to the gym more often, eating healthier, and waking up earlier. These are all fantastic resolutions, but have you thought about any changes you will be making when it comes to your car?  Nobody is a perfect vehicle owner, but there are many ways in which the regular car driver can not only take better care of their vehicle but save money on car repairs in the new year. It is a great idea to think of a vehicle resolution that you can make going into 2020 that will help you protect your car investment and save you money on repairs. Here are some of our top vehicle changes to make for 2020: Try to keep your car clean and free of garbage Clean out your trunk - it will give you much better fuel efficiency Ha ... read more

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us here at H B Auto & AC! We hope that you had a wonderful holiday with friends and family. With all the holidays comes lots of travel, so if you are planning a road trip in the near future, we recommend that you check off some important travel measures before you hit the road.  Be sure to have your vehicle inspected by the experts here at H B Auto & AC before you hit the road. You never want to be caught in a situation where you are stuck without a working vehicle, so guaranteeing that your vehicle is ready for any road trip will keep your family safe and bring you peace of mind on the road.    Pack ample blankets and coats for the road to keep warm if you’re traveling in the cold this winter.    Have an emergency kit on hand in your trunk to help out in cases of emergencies. Some things to make sure you have with you include a spare tire, jack, wrench, flashlight, flares, cell phone charger, and first aid ... read more

Halloween is around the corner, and it’s no secret that on Halloween night, children will be walking around the streets going from door to door to trick-or-treat and spend time with friends and family. With the increase of kids on the street, it is important that we all practice safe driving on Halloween in order to ensure the safety of all and keep this holiday fun and stress-free.  When driving through neighborhoods on Halloween, be sure to drive slowly and carefully. Be aware of your surroundings and any children that are nearby. Always stop for pedestrians at crosswalks and stop signs so that they can cross safely. Be extra careful when backing out of your driveway as well - children could be passing behind you and may not notice that you are reversing. Also take caution while pulling into driveways and approach slowly.  If you have children who will be participating in trick-or-treating, be sure to remind your kids to be safe. Remind them not to walk on dark stre ... read more

A power steering fluid exchange is one of those services that may not be required very often, but may be necessary on older vehicles or vehicles will very high mileage. A power steering fluid exchange consists of removing the old fluid, cleaning out the fluid chamber, and putting in fresh fluid. It's not necessarily a required service, but can definitely be a key factor in vehicle maintenance for older cars.  If a mechanic checks your power steering fluid and finds that it looks really dirty, they may suggest a power steering fluid flush or exchange. So what does this power steering fluid actually do? The job of the power steering fluid is to help you make sure that you can turn your steering wheel accurately and without problem.  However, as it is with all fluids, the power steering fluid will become dirty and break down over extended periods of time. Therefore, this service is typically recommended every 100,000 miles or so and don't worry - it is a fairly inexpen ... read more

The key to good car maintenance is prevention. When you have your vehicle serviced and inspected regularly, you in turn prevent major issues from happening which can end up costing you thousands of dollars in the long run. Every 6 months, it can be extremely helpful to inspect the following items in your car: Tread depth, tire pressure, and how the tire is wearing Check fluid levels and color/clarify of fluid, including motor oil, coolant, and brake fluid Inspect filters for dirt and grime Inspect headlights, blinkers, and brakes lights to ensure working condition and clarity Change windshield wipers every 6 months While some of these items you can attempt to check at home, for a more thorough and expert opinion, the experts here at H B Auto & AC have got you covered. We can help you stay on top of your vehicle's services and inspections to catch issues early on. Give us a call or stop by today! 

You're driving and you start to smell something strange - whether it's coming from under the hood, the exhaust, or through the air vents, you may be concerned. A strange smell can often indicate an issue, so its important not to ignore it.  Here are the most common smells associated with car issues and what they can mean: Moldy - A moldy or musty smell when the A/C is on can indicate mold or mildew has actually formed somewhere in the air vents. Burning smell - A burning smell can come from a few different places, but most commonly can indicate a timing belt or drive belt issue. It can also indicate engine and transmission problems.  Rotten eggs - The smell of rotten eggs can indicate an issue with your emissions system, and more specifically the catalytic converter. This is an important problem to repair quickly, especially because a failing emissions system can put you and your passengers at risk to being exposed to harsh gases.  Gas - If yo ... read more

Spring and summer bring the warmer weather, and a lot of families will be planning road trips to enjoy the weather and have some fun during school breaks and vacations. If you’re planning a road trip soon, don’t forget to account for having your vehicle inspected before you hit the road. Many of us forget that our vehicles may not be in the best shape for a long drive, and the best way to protect yourself from unwanted breakdowns and stressful situations is to ensure that your vehicle is ready for the trip.  Before you embark on your road trip, be sure to go over our pre-road trip vehicle checklist to ensure that you’re vehicle stays reliable and dependable on your vacation or bring your vehicle into our shop for a check of the following: Check Brakes and Battery - Brakes should be properly working and check that the battery doesn’t have any signs of excessive corrosion. It also doesn’t hurt to have the life of your battery tested.  Check Tire ... read more

Nobody wants to get stuck during the spring or summer warmth without working air conditioning. If you try to turn on your A/C and no air blows out, or maybe only hot air blows out and it never gets colder, there’s something wrong with an A/C component. The A/C system is actually very complex, and therefore there are a number of different reasons why the system can fail. Here are some of the top causes of A/C system failure:  Refrigerant leak Failed compressor Deteriorated refrigerant hoses Mold or mildew buildup Faulty cooling fan Broken seal or hose The best way to ensure that your vehicle’s air conditioning will work properly throughout the spring and summer is to have your system inspected by one of our experts regularly. Routine A/C inspections will allow us to catch small problems early on before they turn into more expensive issues.  If there is a problem with your vehicle’s air conditioning system, you may notice one or more of the following sy ... read more