Berkeley Auto Repair

You hit a curb and the next thing you know, your vehicle isn't driving straight! More than likely, your vehicle has fallen out of alignment and will need to be realigned. A car that is out of alignment can be difficult to control, making it dangerous to drive. In addition to your car being hard to drive, it will go through tires faster than a vehicle that is aligned correctly. Here are 5 signs that it's time for a wheel alignment. Steering Wheel is Off-Centered While you are driving on a level, straight road, your vehicle's steering wheel should be centered and level. If you notice that your steering wheel is tilted in one direction, it is a sign that your vehicle needs an alignment. Steering Wheel Isn't Returning to the Center After you are done turning, your steering wheel should return back to the center on its own. If your steering wheel doesn't try to return to the center, your car may need to be aligned. Vehicle Pulls in a Certain Direction While Drivin ... read more

Whenever you start your vehicle, the engine heats up progressively, and it might get to extreme temperatures. Each vehicle is thus fit with a cooling system to prevent overheating and other engine troubles. The heating system functions in removing the excess heat from the engine. It also maintains an optimum operating temperature inside the vehicle and restores the right temperature to the engine. The cooling system is thus crucial to ensure a safe ride and prevent damage to essential car components. The cooling system is a composition of the; Radiator Fan Thermostat Water pump Freeze plug among other components Malfunctioning of any parts causes significant danger to the engine. It is easy to detect possible trouble with the cooling system. Some signs that indicate a failing cooling system include; Smoke from Underneath the Hood If you notice smoke emission from underneath the car hood, consider pulling over and check the vehicle first. You can add coolant or water to get the ... read more

There are thieves everywhere… in terms of vehicle theft, there are many reports that happen every day. Most people assume vehicular theft will consist of windows being broken and items are stolen from inside. However, there are instances where a part of the car is taken as well. The catalytic converter is quickly becoming one of the most popular parts of a car that is stolen. It has increased dramatically just in the last year and is becoming an issue for many in the Berkeley area. This may be since it is easily accessible to thieves, and it's a part that will be profitable for them. The catalytic converter of your vehicle is what turns dangerous pollutants into harmless gases. It aids with the exhaust system and can be found near your engine's exhaust manifold. Usually, it's very easy for you to see the catalytic converter from underneath your vehicle. Knowing that catalytic converters are a part that thieves go for all the time, there are things that yo ... read more

How long can your motor oil stay in the engine before you have to change it? Well, the oil mostly comes with a five-year shelf life. All the same, if your oil container indicates a shelf-life less than five years, you should work with the printed dates. After the longevity period is over, it is most likely that the synthetic additives in the oil will no longer be efficient. As such, you should ensure that you properly dispose your oil after it has surpassed the dates printed on the container. Does Motor Oil Degrade Over Time? A short answer to this question is yes. Motor oil can only last for a certain period of time. That's why it comes with an expiry date. For this reason, oil goes bad with time just by sitting in the engine. Over time, it becomes less viscous thus less efficient in maintaining proper lubrication between moving components. Your motor oil might eventually break down depending on the oil type and the additives contained in the lubricant. Besides, there are water ... read more

Your car is perhaps one of the most valuable items you will ever own. But like any other machine, a car is subject to wear and tear, and it will at some point need repairs. However, a lot of expensive repairs can be avoided or at least postponed through regular maintenance. In other words, by taking good care of your car you can prolong its life and that of its parts and consequently make significant savings. Below is a rundown of some tips that you can trust to keep your vehicle in its best shape. Clean Your Car Regularly Most people do clean their cars on a regular basis. However, there is more to cleaning a car than just making the exterior shine and vacuuming the interior. You drive through all kinds of roads and streets, and therefore, your car encounters all kinds of unsavory things, ranging from winter salt to road grime. As such, when washing your car, you need to hose off its underside to get rid of these potentially harmful substances. Change Oil Oil is like your car ... read more

Your vehicle will not be completely safe or drivable without healthy, properly functioning brakes. A malfunctioning brake system can indicate a major brake leak. There are four components within the braking system where a brake leak can occur. If you suspect a brake leak, it may be inside the brake line, the front brake caliper, the rear brake caliper, or the brake master center. To help you identify whether your brake system is suffering from a leak, below are a few common signs to look out for.  There’s visible brake fluid seeping out. Check underneath your vehicle near the wheels and see if you notice any leaked fluid. Brake fluid will be the consistency and color of vegetable oil. If you suspect brake fluid is seeping out, pop the hood and check the brake fluid level. If the fluid is much lower than it should be, bring your vehicle to one of our technicians immediately. The lower the brake fluid, the more dangerous the drive, and merely topp ... read more

In case you missed the news, there have been widespread thefts of catalytic converters around the Bay Area for the last two years or so. This is tied directly to the high prices for the metals used in building catalytic converters – it really pays to steal them, and thieves do. Berkeley, with its huge number of Prius vehicles is especially hard hit – Prius Gen 2 and Honda Element are the most likely targets. Sadly, it takes only a few minutes to cut out a catalytic converter, and leave your vehicle with a very expensive repair. If you own a Prius or Honda Element, we recommend keeping it in a garage at night. At Oceanworks we offer installation of a protective stainless steel cage to discourage thieves from attempting to steal the catalytic converter. It is light, durable, and can be removed to service exhaust components located in that area. Naturally, we also offer catalytic converter replacement – whether it was stolen, or simply failed. You can read more on ou ... read more

If you own a Subaru, you may already be familiar with the dreaded head gasket failure that seems to be common with certain Subaru models. It’s true - there is a large amount of Subaru owners that will deal with head gasket failure in their vehicle’s lifetime, more often than other vehicles. The head gasket problems are an issue that affects the EJ25 engines in Subaru models. Some of the affected models include: Forester - 1999 through 2010 Impreza - 1999 through 2011 Outback - 2000 through 2009 Legacy - 2000 through 2009 Baja - 2003 through 2005 What exactly is a head gasket? The head gasket is a component that is placed between the block and cylinder heads in the engine. Its job is to ensure that engine oil and coolant don’t cross paths, and that combustion pressures are properly sealed to not affect the cooling system. Due to the way that engine’s are designed in these models, often referred to as boxer-style engines, they sit lower in the vehicle which ... read more

Honda vehicles are known for their excellent reliability and quality performance without breaking the bank. They are great vehicles for commuters, families, college students, and anyone looking for a long-lasting vehicle. If you expect your vehicle to last you throughout the years, your top priority should be your Honda’s maintenance. Regular vehicle maintenance is the key to ensuring that your vehicle’s integrity is protected and that it remains dependable on the road. When you don’t take care of your vehicle, you risk major issues occurring that can sabotage your vehicle’s performance and cost you thousands in repairs. That is why Honda (and all other vehicle manufacturers) provide a factory recommended maintenance schedule for car owners to follow. Following manufacturer service recommendations is beneficial for a number of different reasons, including: Higher resale value in the future Less money spent on major repairs Increased performance and longevit ... read more

Shocks and struts are important parts of your Honda’s suspension system. As you drive, the shocks and struts absorb movement from the road which helps your ride to be smooth. When the shocks and struts aren’t working properly, you’ll notice that you feel every bump in the road and your vehicle bounces excessively after driving over speed bumps or potholes. The shock absorber is a hydraulic component that dampens shock impulses. This is done by converting the kinetic energy of the shock into another energy, which is then dissipated. The struts are actually a structural part of your vehicle’s suspension system and are mounted to the chassis of your car. This is where the coil spring is mounted, which you may have noticed when looking at your car’s suspension system. Shocks and struts work under a large amount of heat and pressure, which is why they tend to start wearing down after a certain amount of time. The typical lifespan for shocks and struts is arou ... read more