Los Angeles Auto Repair

Suspension and road imperfections such as potholes and speed bumps can cause a rough and bumpy ride for a driver. If your suspension system is in faulty shape, your drive can become uncomfortable and unsafe. A vehicle’s suspension system is important and consists of many parts including the shocks and struts. Shocks and struts are frequently used interchangeably. They serve the same general purpose of making your ride smoother. However, they aren’t entirely the same. What are the differences between shocks and struts?  Shocks Shock absorptions are the suspension system component that prevents the vehicle from excessive bouncing and swaying when it encounters uneven road surfaces. The shocks keep the drive smooth by managing the movement of the suspension.  Struts Struts are the structural elements of the suspension and support the weight of a vehicle. Proper functioning struts enhance a vehicle’s maneuverability and ensure it has adeq ... read more

The goal is always to keep your car driving safely and efficiently. Most drivers know to get their oil changed, tires rotated, and brakes changed. However, there are a few car things you should never do to your vehicle if you hope for it to run for the next few years to come. Below is a small list of things not to do if you plan on keeping your car long term: Overfill your tires Overfilling your tires can cause premature tire wear and cause a rougher ride. Always use the recommended tire pressure for your specific vehicle; this can be found on the driver’s door frame. Drive if your oil light is on If your engine oil light illuminates, this is a sign it’s no longer safe to drive. The light usually indicates that the engine oil is low or ultimately out altogether. If it’s too soon for your oil levels to be low, it could indicate a leak. Use dishwashing liquid to wash your car Dishwashing liquid has an excellent formu ... read more

Driving can be a tedious task. Whether you’re commuting or stuck in traffic, driving can take a lot out of you. One aspect that can make driving even more frustrating is the excessive road noise in your cabin. While engine noise and wind can cause some distinctive sound, a primary culprit can be your tires. When the rubber of the tire rolls across the asphalt, it creates friction and vibrations that can be quite noisy. Unfortunately, tire noise is unavoidable. However, there are things you can do to reduce the noise associated with your tires.  With the popularity of hybrid and electric vehicles, the market for quiet tires is also growing. Some tires will indicate how well it handles noise with a wave symbol. The more waves, the higher the noise level.   Check your vehicle’s load number and tire speed rating. All cars have a load index number that tells you how much weight your tire can hold. Check your auto manual to ensure your tires aren’t below the re ... read more

What do you do if you, hypothetically, hit a sign and damaged it while driving? That’s not a question most people are expecting, but it is an occurrence that happens. Roadside accidents can happen to the best of us, and sometimes traffic signs can end up as the victims. What exactly are the proper procedures in a circumstance like this? Take a deep breath. There may be a wave of anxiety that hits you if you’re involved in an accident. It’s okay to collect your thoughts and take a few minutes to breathe. Before you exit your vehicle to assess the damage, recenter yourself. If it’s safe to do so, you may exit the car or move your vehicle to a safe spot. Do not leave! Hitting a sign and driving away is illegal and can result in a misdemeanor. Traffic signs are vital because they work to keep a safe flow of traffic. If a sign is not replaced, it can result in an accident for another driver. Make contact with a public official. Reach out to the publ ... read more

Having the correct wheel alignment is important to the drivability of your vehicle. When your wheels are out of alignment, you may have trouble steering and controlling your vehicle. Also, you may be damaging your vehicle's tires and suspension system unknowingly, leading to needing repairs later down the road.  The frequency of when your vehicle will need a wheel alignment will depend on a number of different things, including the make and model of your vehicle as well as your driving habits. The typical interval for a wheel alignment is around every 2 years or 40,000 miles, although this can vary. However, there are a few regular occurrences that can force your wheels out of alignment, causing you to need one earlier than recommended. Wheels can be forced out of alignment due to some of the following instances: driving quickly over speed bumps, driving over potholes, hitting curbs, minor car collisions, and more. If you suspect that there is an issue wi ... read more