Huntington Beach Auto Repair

Your senses are very dependable when it comes to detecting vehicle problems. Besides seeing things that need repairs, it is essential to hear and smell what is occurring. Smell is often overlooked when driving, but it can be very telling. At first, you may think it'll go away. But if a scent lingers, then it's time you do some digging around. For instance, if you are in your car and smell the scent of what reminds you of rotten eggs, then you may need to pay closer attention to what we have to say.   The presence of an awful odor isn't something that anyone would enjoy smelling. If you are in your vehicle and smell sulfur, you need to recognize this as a problem. Three things can cause your car to have this terrible smell. You may be experiencing a broken catalytic converter, a failing fuel pressure sensor or worn-out fuel filter, or aged transmission fluid. Broken Catalytic Converter: Your catalytic converter is a component of the emissions system. Whenever gasolin ... read more

Photo by Brice Cooper on Unsplash It’s been a rough past year, and we’ve got one more important month to get through-- the dry, hot days of September. The hottest month of the year, August is also the least wet month. As we enter the decay of Autumn, the dry weather and blistering heat make wild areas, forests, and savannas brittle and combustible, and it only takes one careless spark to destroy the homes and livelihoods of millions of people.  An essential element in a repeating crisis is that we learn from the mistakes of previous years without realizing through loss. In the event that disaster strikes and you need to self-evacuate, it is vital that you adequately prepare your vehicle for what could be a long trip and that you are ready to go (if and when the call comes).  Here are some helpful tips to ensure that your vehicle is eva ... read more

Distracted driving is the leading cause of horrific and deadly car accidents. From fiddling with the audio to eating to checking your phone, they're all very dangerous. As a responsible driver, you should freshen up your knowledge of distracted driving and get pointers on improving your focus on the road!   CELL PHONE As you have probably guessed, your phone is the biggest distraction of all. You should not even be on your phone in the first place, considering most states have laws enforced to restrict texting and phone calling while driving. It is best to put your phone on "Do Not Disturb" and out of your sight whenever you get behind the wheel.    MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT Finding the perfect temperature or your favorite music is a difficult task when operating a vehicle. It may be a natural habit for you, but some studies suggest that it's a common cause of traffic fatalities. It would be best to adjust your control systems and set aside a playli ... read more

Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash   Is it hot enough for you yet? August reminds us of just how hot the summers in Southern California can be (extremely hot). It can make travel difficult, especially when you go sightseeing or to the beach, only to come back to a car that is essentially a hellish oven.   No one likes getting into a burning hot car on a hot summer day. Huntington Beach is blessed with the ocean breeze, but California’s dry heat can make driving in the summer a miserable experience.   Here are 5 ways to keep your car cool:   Crack the windows when you leave the car - allowing just a little air to breeze in will help keep things tolerable. Also, try opening the back windows when you arrive and fan the driver’s side door over and over again to pump warm air out of the car. Coverage - use a sunshade for the fro ... read more

Keeping your engine at a stable temperature is vital to the longevity of your car. If it gets too cold, your car won't start, but too hot, and it'll stop working in a climactic way. You should do your best to keep your engine at a perfect operating temperature by monitoring its antifreeze. The problem is many people confuse antifreeze with coolant. They might sometimes be interchangeable in certain situations, but they are not the same. We will help you better understand your car's cooling system to avoid this confusion when you take your vehicle into the shop.   What Is Antifreeze?  Antifreeze is a concentrated solution consisting of ethylene glycol and silica. The chemical components help lower the freezing point of the liquid that flows around your vehicle's engine.    What Is Coolant? When combined with water, the antifreeze becomes coolant. This product helps regulate the engine's temperature to keep it from both overheating and being ... read more

Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash   Let's explore the difference between minor service and major service, and what these services do for your automobile! Minor and major service can be confused in the conversation for minor and major repairs. Service means the work we do to keep our cars in shape. The word Repair is the signifier; it’s all about undoing the damage we do to our cars. The difference between these two things is that service is the steps that we take to prevent needing repairs.    Your car may be in need of service, but what kind? Let’s take a look at the differences between major and minor service.   Minor Service - a minor service usually takes place at intervals of 7500 miles ... read more

  If your car’s air conditioning goes out on a hot day, your commute to work, running errands, or the beach will be miserable. If it isn’t blowing cool air or even warm air, then your A/C system should be diagnosed immediately.    A non-optimal air conditioning system is a common problem we see here at H B Auto & AC. The root of the problem for your A/C blowing mildly cool or warm air ranges from simple to complex. Sometimes it can be caused by normal wear and tear or damaged or malfunctioning parts within the system. Here are the most common issues: Freon Leak Freon is a non-flammable gas chemical used to cool the external air before it is blown back into your car. Each vehicle needs a specific amount of freon to operate correctly. When there is a leak in the system, the freon will eventually run low or run out. The leak can be caused in numerous ways: a damaged hose, a loose gasket, or just a general loose connection. To fix this, we use a charging ... read more

Photo by Julio Ramirez on Unsplash   Welcome to the June Blog for HB Auto & AC!    Have you ever noticed how many hot rod cars are driving around Huntington Beach, California? Just last month, our blog featured the many events going on this summer. There are dozens of hot rod car events in the summer months.   The area grabs the attention of hot rod collectors and enthusiasts who come from all over to attend the wide range of hot rod events, and for good reasons-- we're the perfect community for it.   Here are some reasons why Huntington Beach draws the hot rod community:   Older demographic --  Classic cars are typically more prevalent among older men and are less popular among the young ... read more

When we are working with our vehicles, there are some parts that fail and do not need replacing promptly. The water pump is not one of these parts, though. It is one of those parts of the engine that cools it down. If it goes, it must be replaced immediately. Here are some warning signs your water pump may need replacing soon. You Notice Unhealthy Circulation When your water pump is functioning correctly, it will move coolant through the radiator and around the engine. It usually runs with the aid of a pully. When it is beginning to fail, the pump will create poor circulation via way of the impeller. Leakage If in the morning you notice there is an orange or green puddle beneath your vehicle, think it may be the water pump. You will want to get the part looked at as soon as you can. Ick What is Ick? Ick is a tell-tale sign of a slow leak. It causes buildup and corrosion on the parts that the water pump circulates the coolant from and to. If you have a slow leak, it is not necessa ... read more

Photo by Wes Tindel on Unsplash With spring starting to shift towards summer and immunizations reaching new highs, people are beginning to get back out and enjoy events again. If you love cars as much as we love repairing and maintaining them, you should know that there are plenty of upcoming car show events around Huntington Beach! Here are some of our favorites:   Gary’s Classic Car Show with Buena Park Emblem Elks Lodge, 7212 Melrose St., Buena Park, CA Every Friday, 4 – 8 PM   Donut Derelicts Cars & Coffee Adams Avenue Donuts, 9015 Adams Ave, Huntington Beach, CA Every Saturday, 5 – 8 AM ... read more