Huntington Beach Auto Repair

There are so many things you have to keep in mind as a car owner. Once you purchase the vehicle, it becomes your responsibility to keep up with the maintenance so that it will run efficiently and safely for your years of ownership. It's important to keep track of regularly scheduled maintenance items and you may also want to know how some things operate so you understand what it needs and when. The timing belt, for example, is something that has to be replaced every now and then What The Timing Belt Does The timing belt controls the engine's rotation and how the valves open and close to let air and gas into and out of the engine. It coordinates the engine's functions and causes the fuel to ignite in the proper chamber. As you can tell from that explanation, it does a lot and is a very important part of the overall function of the vehicle. Replacement Needs The timing belt is crucial to the engine function so you will want to replace it ... read more

Photo by Josh Duke on Unsplash It’s February, and that means we’re in the shortest month of the year. It’s also the month of St. Valentine’s Day, where people look to either validate or re-evaluate their relationships in their lives. So if the last few months have made you feel a little cramped at home, this is an excellent time to get yourself together and do something romantic for your partner. We’re still stuck with COVID19 making our lives a little less wonderful at the moment, but that’s what makes road trips so wonderful. California has lots of beauty in the outdoors, especially along the Pacific Coast. There are a host of destinations you can go to for a romantic excursion with enough space ... read more

Most car accidents are caused by brakes. Sadly, brakes are among the car components that people think least about, yet they are components that should be in the best working conditions. You don't have to wait until your brakes are totally worn out before you change them. Here are the five signs that you need new brakes. 1. Vibration The main cause of motor vehicle vibration when braking is warped rotors. Rotors get warped when you like braking in harsh conditions that cause undue friction on your braking system. Vibrations feel like the feedback you get in your brake pedal during an emergency stop. Another cause of vibration is the misalignment of the vehicle. So you need to have your vehicle checked before you victimize the brake system. 2. Fading or Reduced responsiveness If you notice that it gradually takes longer for your brakes to respond and the car to stop than it used to be, check your brake pads. This is also the case when the brakes respond only when the brake peda ... read more

If a truck uses coil springs, it is necessary to check any errors in them. Any slight error may lead to damage to other parts or damaging the coils further. The following are the symptoms of broken coil springs Vehicle sag Underside noise Tire wear Vehicle sway Bouncing movements Vehicle sag The main use of the coil springs is to balance the trucks from the underside. Without the springs in place, the truck would sag into the downward direction. Such a sag depicts a defect in the coil springs. When a sagging track can be seen in several ways. A litmus analogy of the normal truck sag is when sitting on the driver's seat. There is a feeling of leaning backward depicting a change of defect in the coil springs. Underside Noise Do you like unsettling noise in your track? I bet no. An evident advantage of the coil springs is the prevention of underside noise when no suspension system is in place. It is a very good idea to have coil springs to av ... read more

There’s nothing more alarming than returning to your car and finding it unable to start. Some drivers are experiencing problems with their starter but get it confused with other common mechanical issues. Your vehicle’s battery powers the starter. The starter consists of a small electric motor and a relay that cranks the engine on. The starter relay is situated between the motor and the battery, where it transmits power. Below are five ways to tell if your vehicle is experiencing starter issues.  The lights come on, but the engine doesn’t.  When you stick the key in the ignition, the engine should turn over. However, if you start the engine and only the dashboard lights come on, there may be a starter problem.  There’s an unusual clicking sound.  If there’s a noticeable clicking sound when you turn your ignition or push to start, the starter may have gone bad. A clicking sound is usually a warning th ... read more

No matter what the temperature is outdoors, your vehicle has moving engine components operating in sweltering conditions. The radiator comes into play by circulating coolant throughout the engine. The radiator helps keep the engine cool enough to function but hot enough that its moving parts can still convert energy. It's common knowledge that the radiator is an essential part of the cooling system, but it's difficult to detect when something is wrong. Below are a few symptoms to look out for that may indicate the radiator isn't working properly. This isn't an exhaustive list, and you may notice more than one symptom happening at one time.  Coolant Leak Depending on the type of coolant your vehicle uses, the coolant may be green, red, or yellow. Its primary function is to cool the engine. The radiator is composed of metal and plastic parts. Over time the plastic material may start to crack or become brittle. If there's a radiator leak, you may notic ... read more

The alternator, also known as the synchronous generator, serves an essential function of a vehicle’s charging system. The alternator is a component every driver has heard of but may not understand. While a vehicle is running, the alternator works to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. The alternator provides alternating electrical currents that may periodically reverse directions. There are several complicated mechanical components that work together to power the engine, and with time they can fall apart. Depending on driving habits, an alternator can last anywhere from 5 to 8 years. You may be able to drive with an alternator that’s experiencing minor issues, but with time causes more damage. It will struggle to power the battery, requiring frequent jump-starts to drive. This makes it important to be able to identify a few common signs that the alternator needs immediate service.  The Battery is Dead The alternator charges the battery while your vehicle ... read more

The summer is always a great time to travel with friends or family and enjoy the warm weather and time off. However, as the summer comes to a close, you may recognize that you've added some wear on your vehicle throughout the last couple of months. Many kids will be starting up school again and we are thinking of the fall season ahead of us. With all the extra wear and tear that summer had on your vehicle, how can you care for your car moving into the fall seasons? The end of summer is always a great time to have your vehicle inspected and to take care of any due services or maintenance items. As the seasons change, our vehicles need to be prepared for different weather and circumstances. This time of year typically sees an increase in vehicles on the road, and you want to ensure that your car will remain reliable on the road.  Here are some great ways that you can care for your vehicle after the summer months to ensure a reliable car throughout the rest of the year:  ... read more

Potholes aren't just an annoyance in the road - the actually can cause real damage to our vehicles when driven over at a higher speed. They can't always be avoided either, sometimes we have no choice but to drive through them because there are vehicles on either side of us. While certainly driving over a large pothole doesn't feel good, you may hear some banging or clunking noises that make you think some damage may have been done to your vehicle. The truth is, potholes can cause damage to our cars.  What exactly is a pothole? Potholes typically appear during the spring season and occur because of water seeping through cracks in the pavement. The water underneath the road freezes during the winter, and when it thaws during the spring, it can form potholes. Here are some of the ways in which potholes can hurt your vehicle:  Tires can be affected, either causing blowouts, air loss or bulging. The tread can also be damaged.  Wheels and rims can also be crack ... read more

July 4th is a special day when it comes to celebrating our freedom here in the United States and gathering with loved ones for a good time. We know that our Independence Day weekend may look a little different than last year, due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. Many fireworks displays may be suspended and fairs or festivals shut down. However, we are still able to enjoy time safely with our loved ones. So fire up the grill and get your sparklers ready!  The following reminders can help you enjoy your July 4th weekend safely this year: Wear a mask when going out in public and practice social distancing when possible. Do your part to stop the spread of COVID-19!    There will be an increase in cars on the road, so be extra careful while driving. July 4th is actually one of most dangerous days of the year to drive, so be aware of your surroundings and other cars.    If you plan on partaking in the consumption of alcohol, plan to have a ride back home or us ... read more