Huntington Beach Auto Repair

Photo by Ninofficialphotography on Pixabay Understanding Your Modern Automobile Air Conditioner Are you sweating during your morning commute?    It’s hard enough to get to work some mornings. Don’t let the drive over be another factor in an already busy day. If you’re at your wit's end with your car’s A/C, you might be surprised to find that modern automobile air conditioners are a little different than the ones you learned about when you first hit the road. What’s changed the most about your A/C system over the years is its refrigerant: freon isn’t used anymore! No More Freon Freon is a refrigerant previously used in vehicle ACs, and some vehicles may still be running on it. The EPA has required vehicles made after January 2020 to use R410A, colloquially named Puron. But vehicle manufacturers stopped using ... read more

Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash Here Comes Summer 2022! Merry Summer, Surf City, USA! It’s finally here! After the craziness of the last few years, it feels nice to think about kicking back and relaxing this Summer. Let's go over the top 5 beach destinations in Huntington Beach and some upcoming car shows. Top 5 Beach Destinations Near Huntington Beach  Yes, we love to talk about cars here at HB Auto & AC. But we also love to talk about Huntington Beach! The must-see beach destinations include:   1. The Pier. An iconic and classic experience, this is a must-see for tradition's sake. You can’t keep the Huntington Beach Pier off your list, even if you’ve done it a million times!   2. Downtown. Downtown Huntington Beach is cool enough on its own any day of the year. But during the Summer, the streets really light up! With tons of fam ... read more

An engine misfire is a condition where the engine does not fire correctly. This can be due to a number of reasons, such as a dirty spark plug, a problem with the ignition system, or a fuel system issue. When an engine misfires, it can cause a loss of power and efficiency and can also lead to damage to the engine over time. What Causes An Engine Misfire? There are a few different things that can cause an engine to misfire. One of the most common causes is a dirty or fouled spark plug. When a spark plug becomes dirty, it can prevent the spark from igniting the fuel correctly, causing a misfire. Another common cause of engine misfires is a problem with the ignition system. If there is a problem with the spark plugs, wires, or coil, it can cause an ignition misfire. Finally, fuel system issues can also cause an engine to misfire. If the fuel is not getting to the engine correctly, or if it is not burning properly, it can cause a misfire. What Are The Symptoms Of An Engine Misfire? The ... read more

Photo by Randy Tarampi on Unsplash   Do you think you know everything about your car? Check again! There can be specific details and functions you may not know about. At HB Auto & AC, we want you to know as much as possible about your vehicle to enjoy everything it has to offer. If you are interested in learning some things you may not know about your car, please continue reading!   Most modern cars operate on a push-button ignition system. This system is tied to your vehicle’s computer and works by sensing that the brake is pushed down, allowing you to start your car. If your stop light switch goes out, your push-button ignition might not work, leading you not to be able to start the vehicle. This can get mis ... read more

Photo by Susan Sewert from Pixabay   What’s Up With Extended Warranties? We’ve all gotten at least one call or voicemail by now.   “Hello…we’ve been trying to reach you regarding your extended warranty…”   And though these phone calls aren’t 100% viable, they at least bring awareness to an important issue at hand for car owners. If you’ve had enough time to ignore the call, delete the voicemail, and wonder about your extended warranty even is, you’re not alone. Understanding your car’s extended warranty can save you tons of cash in the long run.   Your extended warranty is something you usually opt into at t ... read more

The move to weekly blogs  HB Auto & AC has been your local park for over 25 years. We’ve watched many of our customers raise families to retire. Now we look after some of the kids of our original customers, and soon, we’ll be serving their grandkids!   As we go, we’re starting to grow. We want to connect with more people and talk to them about cars, AC, and Huntington Beach. The best way of doing it is by sharing some vital information and advice on our weekly blogs. Another important thing you may have noticed recently, our April blog was published last week on the 4th, instead of on the 1st, as we usually do. That’s because we’re switching to a weekly format.  Sneak peek at new weekly blogs.  Don't worry-- the increase in blogs won't slow us down, or change the quality of our content. HB Auto & AC will continue to give you advice on cars, share more ideas to keep your vehicle in good condition and learn more about ... read more

Image by @Tumisu at Pixabay How To Deal With An Accident  Do you know what to do if you get in a car accident?   We never know how we will react to a stressful situation until we are thrown into it. As much as we prepare for the worst, sometimes our fight, flight, or freeze runs the show when we are under pressure. That’s why it’s so important to have your emergency plan solidified and ready to go, just in case. Nobody wants to get on their phone to Google “what should I do after an accident?” while they wait for the police to show up.  What To Do Right After a Car Accident  In general, you should follow these steps after you get in a car accident: Remove yourself and any passengers from the vehicle if you can and get to safety.  If you are injured or unable to move, call 911 and wait for emergency personnel ... read more

We rely on our vehicles to get us where we need to go on a daily basis. After a number of drives, you get to know your vehicle and how it performs. This includes how it sounds, how it handles, and the standard noises it makes. That is why noticing that your vehicle doesn't accelerate as quickly as it used to and is performing sluggishly can be a cause for concern. A sluggish vehicle can be an annoyance, but can also be unfit for the road. Plus, it often points to an issue with your vehicle. Let's look at some of the most common causes behind a sluggish running vehicle: Clogged or Dirty Air Filter A clogged or dirty air filter can prevent the proper amount of air from getting into the engine, which can cause problems with its overall performance. Bad Fuel Pump or Dirty Fuel Injectors A problem with your car's fuel system, such as a bad fuel pump or dirty fuel injectors, can prevent the proper amount of fuel from reaching the engine, thus causing it to run sluggish. Fai ... read more

Image by TheDigitalWay at Pixabay Car thefts are rising in 2022. It seems like you can’t get on any neighborhood or social media app without seeing the news of another stolen car.   And if the car isn’t stolen, we often hear of poor souls who have gotten their catalytic converter taken out. Catalytic converter thefts increased rapidly over the last year, with claims across the nation going up 293%. Your catalytic converter helps your car with its emissions by converting toxic substances into less toxic pollutants. You might be wondering why a thief would want to get their hands on it, and the answer is simple: the precious metal it’s made of can get them a few hundred bucks or more at most scrap yards.    Getting your car or one of its parts stolen is one of the most stressful things that can happen to you. Getting a catalytic converter replaced is ex ... read more

Your vehicle relies heavily on multiple fluids to keep its engine, and other systems cooled, powered, and lubricated. Over time, you may find some of these fluids in a puddle underneath your car. When this happens, you've discovered a fluid leak. Some liquid leaks require immediate attention and repairs, while others aren't as severe. We'll go over some of the basics to analyze your fluid leaks. Types of Fluid That May Leak While you can assume that the fluid running from your car is gasoline or engine oil, there are more fluids than the two. Below are some of your vehicle's fluids that may be the puddle on the ground: Brake Fluid - This yellowish solution is responsible for engaging your brakes. While this type of leak rarely happens in modern cars, it is still possible. Coolant (or Antifreeze) - Coolant is a bright-colored solution, usually pink, orange, or green, that helps maintain your engine temperature. Coolant is a sticky, syrupy liquid and is prone to leaki ... read more