Gardena Auto Repair

6 Essential Travel Tips for Your Thanksgiving Road Trip   AAA estimates nearly 3.8 million Southern Californians will travel by car this Thanksgiving, 10% more drivers than last year, despite the record breaking gas prices. Our freeways are expected to reach peak traffic on Wednesday afternoon (the day before Thanksgiving) and overall, you can expect traffic to reach near  pre-pandemic levels. Some drivers may be taking a vehicle that is not prepared for an extended road trip and the last thing you want is for your car to breakdown on the highway when you should be at Grandma's sitting at the table having Thanksgiving dinner or relaxing by the pool at your favorite resort.  In order to reduce the chance of unexpected, costly repairs and have a stress-free road trip, here are 6 essential things you should do to make sure your car is ready for travel this Thanksgiving:  Check all fluids (engine oil, power steering and brake and transm ... read more

It can be a bit alarming when all of a sudden you're driving and you see your dashboard flashing with a light you haven't seen before, it can be something as simple as a loose fuel cap or an issue with your brakes. Some of these lights may not require immediate action, but there are some warnings you should never ignore. Keep your eye out for these 5 dashboard lights:  ABS (Anti-lock brake system) : Causes can include low brake fluid, a blown fuse, or abnormal signals from wheel sensors. If you ignore this light there's a chance of skidding if you need to slam on your brakes to avoid hitting something.   OIL LIGHT: An oil warning light should be taken seriously. It indicates that your oil level in the engine is low or that the oil pump is not circulating oil properly. If ignored, the chance of engine damage is likely to occur. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT: This may be the most obvious one here, but this is the light you really can't afford to ignore. A check engine ... read more

National Tire Safety Week Tips to Stay Safe on the Road 4th of July   This week 6/28 - 7/4 is National Tire Safety Week and with the 4th of July holiday weekend upon us we'd like to remind you about the importance of tire safety. Your tires are the only part of your vehicle that touches the road, so it's imperative to keep them in top shape to help you stay safe on the road.  Here are a few important tips to remember: Pay attention to tire tread depth - Tire tread depth condition should be routinely checked. Make sure your tires are not close to balding, once the rubber on the tire has been worn down it can greatly reduce the vehicle’s handling and performance. Keep an eye on tire pressure - Check tire pressure monthly and before every long road trip. Keeping tires properly inflated will help ensure longevity and even tire wear, resulting in optimal performance. Driv ... read more

April is National Car Care Month Get Your Car Ready for Spring and Summer Road Trips As winter comes to a close it's time for you to get your car ready for the upcoming warmer months. April is National Car Care Month and it's the perfect time to give your car some extra attention as you start taking road trips this Spring and Summer! Here are some things you can do to keep your car running at its best: Check the oil, filters and fluids (brake and transmission fluids, antifreeze, and windshield washer solvent) Have your vehicle’s brake system thoroughly examined every year (brake rotors and drums normally get checked at each oil change)  Check Tire Pressure (Check the pressure of all tires, including the spare, at least once a month)  Check hoses and belts (look for any that are cracked, brittle, frayed, loose or show signs of excessive wear)  Make sure your vehicle battery connections are ... read more

Earth Day Car Care Tips: How to Make Your Car More Eco Friendly April 22nd is Earth Day and if you're looking for ways to make an impact on the environment we have a few tips for you that you can practice all year long, by changing a few habits from keeping up with regular car maintenance and better driving habits, you'll be able to shrink your car's carbon footprint for a "greener" ride. Here are some simple steps you can take to make your vehicle more eco friendly. Change your air filters: In order to run at maximum efficiency you need to change your air filter.  A dirty air filter can cause the engine to run bad, stall or misfire, reduce fuel economy and create higher exhaust gas emissions, by changing your filter you can save as much as 10% on your car's gas mileage. Clean out your trunk: Don't overload your vehicle with excess weight, empty your trunk, driving with your tr ... read more