Berkeley Auto Repair

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