Berkeley Auto Repair

Your Subaru’s brakes are one of its most important safety systems. Whether you’re navigating Bay Area traffic or heading out for a weekend drive, healthy brake pads give you the stopping power you need when it matters most. Over time, those pads wear down with every stop, making regular inspection and timely replacement essential for your safety and your vehicle’s performance. At Oceanworks in Berkeley we help Subaru owners keep their vehicles braking smoothly and safely—with expert service, quality parts, and quality repairs. Brake pads don’t last forever, and catching early warning signs can prevent costly repairs later on. Here are a few clues that it’s time to schedule a replacement: Squealing or grinding noises when you press the brakes Vibration or pulsing when braking Spongy brake pedal sensation or longer stopping distances If you notice any of the above symptoms, call Oceanworks for an appointment. Driving with worn brake pads can damag ... read more

Your Cadillac is designed for refined comfort and effortless control — but even the best-engineered vehicles need regular care to stay that way. Over time, your suspension system endures thousands of bumps, potholes, and rough roads that can wear out its components. When that happens, your ride quality and handling can be negatively impacted. At Oceanworks in Berkeley, our ASE-certified technicians have extensive experience in Cadillac repair, including suspension repairs. Your vehicle’s suspension system isn’t just about comfort — it’s critical to your Cadillac’s overall safety and performance. Proper suspension maintenance ensures: Better control and stability: A healthy suspension keeps your tires firmly on the road, improving traction, steering precision, and braking performance. Even tire wear: Worn shocks and struts cause uneven tire pressure and tread wear, leading to premature tire replacement. Enhanced comfort: A well-maintained suspensi ... read more

Oceanworks is pleased to announce that we can now provide a variety of Tesla services. As Tesla service centers struggled to keep up with demand, Tesla had made repair information and parts available to independent auto repair shops.  As a result, we can now offer Tesla owners regular maintenance and repair services. While Tesla vehicles don’t need oil changes, they do require regular maintenance. Tesla recommends tire rotation every 6000 miles or so. Brake pads replacement, even though less frequent than on internal combustion engine vehicles, are still a necessity. Brake fluid replacement every 2 years is recommended. Tesla recommends yearly brake caliper cleaning and lubrication. And if your Tesla needs new control arms – our nationally ASE-certified technicians can complete control arms replacement in a single day. So bring your Tesla to Oceanworks Berkeley – whether it needs tire rotation (very important for EVs due to their weight), new rotors, or s new w ... read more

Hearing a loud clunk when shifting your car into drive is not something to ignore. While it might be tempting to assume it’s just “one of those noises,” this kind of sound often points to underlying issues that can worsen over time. Whether it’s happening occasionally or every time you shift gears, finding out what’s causing the clunk is the first step to protecting your transmission and drivetrain. What Does the Clunk Mean The clunking sound is usually a sign of stress or play somewhere in the drivetrain. When components like mounts, joints, or gears aren’t operating as they should, the sudden transfer of torque from the transmission can cause a loud mechanical impact. It’s a signal that something isn’t absorbing the force the way it’s supposed to. Some drivers notice the clunk only when shifting into drive from a complete stop. Others hear it when switching between drive and reverse. Either way, it suggests tha ... read more

Seeing your Hyundai’s check engine light flicker on can turn a calm drive into a moment of stress. While it’s tempting to ignore the warning, that little amber light is your car’s way of asking for help. At Oceanworks, the premier Berkeley auto repair shop, we’ve helped countless Hyundai owners understand what’s behind that glow — and how to fix it before it becomes a bigger problem. The check engine light can point to a wide range of issues, from something as simple as a loose gas cap to something as serious (and expensive to fix) as a failing catalytic converter.  Many Hyundai drivers encounter OBD-II codes such as: P0171 – System Too Lean (often linked to a vacuum leak or faulty mass airflow sensor) P0300 – Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected P0420 – Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (commonly a catalytic converter or oxygen sensor issue) P0456 – Evaporative Emission System Small Leak (sometimes jus ... read more

Spark plugs play a small but crucial role in keeping your vehicle running smoothly. Their job is to create the electrical spark that ignites the air-fuel mixture inside the engine cylinders. Without that spark, your engine won’t start, and if the plugs are weak or worn, your engine’s performance can suffer. Because spark plugs work in a high-pressure, high-temperature environment, they wear down over time. Replacing them at the right intervals can improve your car’s performance and fuel efficiency, while also preventing costly engine problems. How Worn Spark Plugs Affect Performance When spark plugs start to degrade, they may not ignite the fuel mixture completely or at the right time. This can cause several noticeable issues: Slower acceleration Engine misfires Rough idling Reduced power during uphill driving These symptoms happen because the combustion process becomes less efficient. Instead of converting fuel into usable energy, more fuel ge ... read more

Kia Sorento is a comfortable and versatile vehicle that will take you places – if you keep it well maintained. At Oceanworks Berkeley auto repair shop we provide high-quality service designed to keep you Kia Sorento in top shape for the lifetime of the vehicle. Whether it’s routine maintenance, brake inspections, suspension adjustments, transmission service, a/c refrigerant refill, or complex engine diagnostics and repairs, you can trust us to keep your Kia Sorento ready for both the everyday commute and road trip adventures. At Oceanworks, we follow factory-recommended schedule of services, as well as use advanced diagnostic tools to ensure every system in your Sorento is running at peak performance. Regular maintenance is essential to enhance safety, fuel efficiency, and the long-term value of your Kia. Here is just a small sample of the services your Kia can receive at our Berkeley auto care facility: oil and filter change, brake inspection and service, transmission fl ... read more

A few years ago catalytic converter theft became prevalent accross not just the Bay Area but the entire US. At the time we wrote about it and about the steps that could be taken to protect your vehicle from the thieves. Well, it turns out that those thefts were not just driven by local individual thieves commiting an "crime of opportunity" - it turns out there were big actors who created organizations that crossed state lines and  took the catalytic conveter theft income to a whole new level. On July 21st 2025  US Department of Justice issued a press released about a New Jersey resident who pleaded guilty in federal court in Oklahoma to being in charge of a multi-state criminal organization, which mascaraded as New Jersey-based  company called D.G. Auto Parts . The operation purchased and transported "large quantities" of catalytic converters stolen in ma ... read more

Your car’s oxygen sensor might be small, but it plays a big role in keeping your engine running efficiently and protecting other vital components, especially your catalytic converter. Many drivers are unaware that ignoring a failing oxygen sensor can ultimately lead to more significant and costly issues. Replacing this sensor on time helps you avoid costly repairs and maintain peak vehicle performance. What Does the Oxygen Sensor Do The oxygen sensor measures the amount of oxygen in your car’s exhaust gases and sends this data to the engine control unit (ECU). Based on this information, the ECU adjusts the air-fuel mixture to ensure optimal combustion. This process helps improve fuel efficiency, reduce emissions, and maintain smooth engine performance. What Happens When an Oxygen Sensor Fails When an oxygen sensor starts to fail, it can no longer provide accurate data to the ECU. As a result, your engine might run too rich (too much fu ... read more

Keeping your Kia Soul running at its best requires specialized care and expertise. Choosing a service and repair facility with deep knowledge of Kia vehicles is key to your car running smoothly and reliably over time. At Oceanworks Berkeley we offer comprehensive Kia Soul service and repair solutions to address the mechanical and electrical needs of this Kia model. Whether your Kia Soul is due for an oil change, for scheduled maintenance, or has mechanical or electrical issues, our team of ASE-certified technicians applies industry-leading standards and latest diagnostic tools to every service or repair. All repairs performed by our technicians carry a 24,000 mile / 24 month warranty. Our Kia Soul service and repairs cover all major mechanical, electrical, engine and fluid issues, including not just oil changes and manufacturer recommended maintenance, but also suspension work, electrical system diagnostics and repairs, car battery replacement, starter replacement,  engine repai ... read more