Berkeley Auto Repair

If you aren't checking your car's fluids, then you might want to start setting reminders to do so. Similar to the water we drink, your car needs these six fluids to stay alive and moving. If these aren't routinely topped off, your vehicle is at risk of decreased performance, gas mileage, and value, as well as increased risk of a breakdown or accident.    What are the 6 Essential Fluids? The six essential car fluids you should regularly check are engine oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, coolant, power steering fluid, and windshield washer fluid.   ENGINE OIL Motor oil is the most critical fluid, as its primary function is to lubricate and protect the engine's parts from heat and dust. Before even thinking about checking your oil, you must know the type of oil your vehicle requires. This information is usually found in the owner's manual. There are three types of engine oil: conventional, semi-synthetic, and synthetic.   TRANSMISSION FL ... read more

Your vehicle is a complex machine comprising closely functioning components. Scheduled inspection and maintenance of these vehicle components are vital to optimum driveability, safety, and improved fuel efficiency. This timely inspection and maintenance visit is called "tune-up." Sometimes a car tune-up is solely about check-up of vehicle systems whereas, in other cases, it might involve repair or replacements of malfunctioning parts to keep the vehicle in good shape. These repairs or replacements become necessary when your vehicle displays unusual signs or abnormalities in normal functioning, prompting the driver to bring it in for a tune-up. Here are some of these signs that would indicate a deviation from normal vehicle operations: Difficulty in starting the engine A hard start could indicate an array of underlying problems ranging from battery issues, ignition or fuel system faults, or a malfunctioning electrical component or a spark plug. A vehicle tune-up can diagno ... read more

There are many possible causes of a car stall including engine problems, electrical issues, or battery issues. When it comes to electrical problems, most of the time, it happens because of the failure of electrical connectors. The moment you notice the symptoms, you must immediately replace them. It might be a simple problem but it could also lead to major damage if not rectified right away. Occasionally, stalling is caused by mechanical problems with your car. Although it is easy to identify the cause, it is advisable to take your car to an auto mechanic so that you can have it checked thoroughly. You can also have a look inside your car and see whether there is a loose switch or other loose parts that might be causing the problem. If it is a loose switch or a screw inside your car, it might need replacement but your local mechanic should be able to diagnose the problem quickly. It is quite possible that when your car stalls it has something to do with the battery. In this case, you ... read more

Have you ever come across an unusual odor in your car, and you had no idea where it came from? Maybe the first thing you did was checking under your seat for an old food bag but didn't find any. The stinky smell emanates from your engines caused by something mechanical and could lead to expensive repairs when neglected. You should always pay attention to every scent in your car as each has an indication. Below are some unusual vehicle smells and what they indicate. Rotten Eggs A smell similar to rotten eggs indicates that there's a malfunctioning part in the fuel system. Maybe your catalytic converter may not correctly process hydrogen sulfide in the exhaust into sulfur dioxide, hence the smell of rotten eggs. Burnt Oil When you encounter this smell, the first thing to do is to check your oil dipstick. A burnt oil smell shows that you are running out of engine oil or the engine is overheating. Also, it could indicate an oil leak onto the engine block or exhaust manifold. M ... read more

Your car contains different fluids that help run it. Over time, these fluids get depleted or even collect contaminants. The pollutants may slow down the vehicle's performance; thus, regular fluid servicing is essential for a safe driving experience. During fluid servicing, the mechanic might recommend flushing out the fluids and replacing them with new ones. The entire system is then cleansed with water or specialized cleaning fluid to eliminate any grit or grime built up over time. Some of the fluids in your car include; Transmission Fluid Some mechanics recommend changing the transmission fluid every 60,000 to 100000 miles. However, this is also determined by the type of vehicle you are driving, so you have to make sure you follow the manufacturer's recommendations unless you detect some issues. Brake Fluid Brake fluid exchanges are rare but critical if moisture enters the braking system and causes it to rust. If the fluid overheats, it ... read more

In most times, junk, debris, particulates and other materials may affect the vehicles from smooth running. Filters are important components that allow in the good stuff and get rid of the vehicle's harmful stuff. There are different types of filters in the vehicle, and they function to maintain the vehicle's functionality in different ways. Engine air filter The air filter keeps the air going into the engine clean, free from all impurities that would hamper functionality. It keeps away insects, water, road debris, pollen and everything that would clog the engine and make it to break down. The filtering also helps maintain the fuel economy and keeps the vehicle running smoothly. If the air filter was clogged, it limits airflow into the engine. The air filter should thus be replaced every 25,000 kilometers. Fuel filter The fuel filter is inside the fuel tank. It prevents dirt and debris from making contact with the fuel injectors. In diesel engines, the fuel filter prevents c ... read more

Owning a car is a luxury. However, one needs to be disciplined and do frequent checks. One of the things that one needs to check often is tire pressure. This is necessary because the tires need to have a specific amount of pressure for the car to move well. But, how do you check your car tire pressure? Well, do not worry. Read on and find out. It is best to check the tire pressure in the mornings when the car has cooled down. This is because the friction between the tire and the road usually increases tire pressure. So once it has cooled down, you can check the pressure. 1. First and foremost, check your car owner's manual to find out the recommended amount of pressure that the car requires. Different cars have a different amount of tire pressure required. For this reason, you need to confirm the required amount for your car before adding any pressure. You can also find this information on a sticker inside the doorjamb on the driver's side. Once you have this information, you ... read more

If you've been driving your vehicle for a while, you know how long before it runs out of gas. Many drivers will also drive across town just to save a few bucks on gas. Even if it's a few cents, if the gas station across the street is cheaper, that may be where you choose to go. However, there are additional ways you can save money on fuel. We have a few tips on how to improve fuel efficiency and save yourself a few extra coins.  Regularly check your tire pressure. Checking your tire pressure can prevent premature tire wear and increase fuel mileage. Automotive shops sell affordable tire pressure gauges that you can keep in your vehicle. Or you can stop at the gas station; there are usually a few available. Check your vehicle's owner's manual for the recommended tire pressure. Or you can open your driver's door and look inside the door jam. Under-inflated and over-inflated tires may feel like a smooth drive but can significantly impa ... read more

Robert here! This time, coming to from the technical department here at Model Garage World Headquarters. A long time ago, back in the dawn of the internet, we made a promise to you to not stuff your inbox with completely useless junk or pass your information along to others. That promise still holds true today. So, at the risk of pushing the envelope, we are going to send you just four more things each year in the form of a “Tech Tip”. By all means, if this turns out to be too much, just let us know. We can adjust what and how much you get. Here we go, Tech Tip #1. You know, that hole that opens up in the celling of your car. A moonroof being the option with a glass panel. Just like many of the other components on your vehicle, these also need a little help once in a while. I recommend yearly inspection/maintenance or more often if circumstances dictate. There are two key aspects. The first involves cleaning and lubrication of the mechanical parts and seals. This is necessa ... read more

Salutations! Robert here, reporting again from Model Garage world headquarters. As always, hoping the world is treating you well and you are doing your best to return the favor! As we patiently await spring to be sprung from its winter hibernation, it’s time once again time to check in, but more importantly, we just want to thank you for being part of the Model Garage family. This spring, We want to encourage you to spend some money fixing a thing or two on your car that will improve your safety, comfort or every day enjoyment. Items like a new set of wiper blades or new nozzles for the wiper/washers. Then you can clear the windshield of the morning dew as well as making it easier to see when it is raining. Have your headlight lenses professionally cleaned, you will literally be able to see the difference. Replace the worn struts on the liftgate or trunk lid. It can cost up to $300.00, or more, on some vehicles to do this repair. But just imagine, no more having the liftgate hi ... read more