West Los Angeles Auto Repair

A blowout can often be confused with a flat tire; however, the two are different. A flat tire usually has a slow release of pressure. A blowout, on the other hand, involves a rapid loss of pressure. When a blowout occurs, you will hear a loud bang sound due to the rapid pressure release. You will also hear a flapping sound as the blown-out tire continues to make contact with the road. What do you do if you experience a tire blowout? Steer straight When your tire blows, the car tends to wobble and pull in one direction. You need to firmly grip the steering wheel and try to steer the car in a straight path. You may be tempted to overcorrect or steer the car in a different direction. Avoid this and try to keep your car moving forward. Do not step on the brakes Applying the brakes is a terrible idea when your tire blows out. Instead, you need to gently accelerate so that you can regain control and keep moving forward. Ideally, accelerating does not put you in any danger as a blown tir ... read more

You expect your commute home to be smooth and uneventful, but out of the blue, the steering wheel starts shaking. If the road is smooth and driving conditions are normal; the steering wheel should only move when you turn it. A shaking steering wheel is a big sign that something has gone wrong. Unfortunately, a steering wheel that's vibrating won't fix itself. A shaky steering wheel can not only disrupt your drive but can be dangerous. Various reasons can impact the steering wheel's performance; below are three common reasons to look out for.  The suspension components are worn. If you're driving an older vehicle, the suspension may be worn, or the alignment can be off. Suspension parts become loose over time; if ignored, they can cause your steering wheel to vibrate. If the suspension parts are worn, the vibrating will be most noticeable when driving over 45mph. Potential suspension issues should be inspected right away; without professional atte ... read more

Most drivers have heard of the head gasket, but many aren’t entirely sure what it is and the vital signs that it needs professional attention. Understanding the head gasket can help steer you in the best direction for a successful diagnosis and repair. The head gasket is mounted between the engine block and cylinder head, preventing oil and coolant from escaping into nearby cylinders. This isn’t an easy job because the head gasket must withstand the other two surfaces’ movements and stresses. The engine is already extremely hot, and if it fails to regulate its increasing temperature, the head gasket can fail. A blown head gasket can cause significant engine damage and should be inspected as soon as it’s safe to do so. To prevent a hazardous driving circumstance, below are five of the most common signs your vehicle has a blown head gasket.  The Oil or Coolant is Contaminated If the head gasket is blown, it will not adequately prevent cross-contam ... read more

Most vehicle owners focus on the mechanical aspects of their vehicles, such as the engine or transmissions. The outside of your car is just as important as the interior mechanical components. Car washes are essential, and after washing your vehicle, a wax should already be included in your regular maintenance routine. While it’s critical to keep your car clean, waxing your vehicle has lasting benefits that make it worth the extra few dollars. A good car wax is more than just shiny paint; below are a few reminders of the benefits to regularly waxing your car.  Wax Offers Protection Against Scratches  Wax has petroleum distillates, natural oils, and other ingredients that harden the wax on the paint. Dirt, grime, and drive-thru car washes can leave superficial scratches in the paint. Wax offers a clear coat on top of the paint that gives an additional layer of protection.  Prevents Sun Damage  Older vehicles that have been lef ... read more

No matter if it’s a short or a long drive, your engine creates a lot of energy and heat the moment your car starts moving. Your vehicle’s exhaust and cooling system work together to ensure your engine stays cool and doesn’t overheat. Antifreeze or engine coolant is a critical aspect of removing any excess heat from within the engine. The coolant not only absorbs heat within the engine but also stops all engine water from boiling, especially during hot temperatures. One significant way to maintain the health of your cooling system is with a coolant flush. What are some common benefits of a coolant flush? Coolant flushes prevent old antifreeze from becoming acidic. This is important because acidic antifreeze is damaging to all aluminum components, the rubber hoses, and the water pump. The new antifreeze that’s added has additives that work to help extend the life of your water pump. Coolant flushes remove rust and scale deposit build-up ... read more

The job of a car's suspension system is important - it helps to make your steering and control reliable and accurate while also helping to create the friction between the road and your vehicle. The suspension system is also responsible for absorbing and reducing shock from the road so that you don't feel every bump in the road while driving.  While suspension components are typically resilient, they aren't completely void of issues and can have problems arise over time. The main components of the suspensions system include the springs, shock absorbers, struts, control arms, and more. Being exposed on the bottom of your vehicle, these parts are constantly exposed to debris, rocks, speed bumps, potholes, and other driving occurrences which can potentially damage components.  Here are the most common suspension problems and the symptoms to look out for that can indicate you may need a suspension system repair:  Poor wheel alignment - this can cause damage to ... read more

July 4th is one of the most celebrated holidays here in the United States. Typically, you'll find family and friends gathered either at home, at festivals or events, or at fireworks displays. While this holiday is a tradition and is loved by many, this year looks a little different.  Due to the current pandemic, we understand how you may not be able to celebrate how you used to. Now, you have to limit your gatherings and many events, including fireworks displays, are canceled. While this can put a damper on your usual celebrations, there are still ways in which you can enjoy yourself on this day.  You can still fire up the grill, play some games, and eat your favorite foods. You can even enjoy some fireworks! If you are still planning on having a fun day this July 4th, we recommend following these safety tips to ensure a successful celebration:  Driving somewhere this July 4th weekend? Keep in mind that July 4th is one of the most dangerous days of the entire year ... read more

Having your vehicle tuned on a regular basis will boost the power and overall performance of your vehicle. Tune-ups are necessary to maintain a healthy vehicle, fuel efficiency, and a smooth drive. When your vehicle is due for a tune-up, bring your vehicle into West Coast Tire & Service in Los Angeles, CA. Our ASE certified technicians are experienced and specially trained in performing tune-ups on all makes and models of vehicles. Your vehicle’s tune-up intervals are determined by the make and model of your vehicle as well as your own driving habits. Our master mechanics recommend at tune-up at least every 20-30k miles. If your vehicle hasn’t had a tune-up in a while, you may notice some symptoms that indicate your vehicle is due for a tune-up service.    Signs your vehicle may need a tune-up: Check engine light is on Decreased gas mileage Engine running rough Lack of power Engine doesn’t start up easily   Any of the issues above can indicate ... read more

Here at West Coast Tire & Service, we understand that keeping a positive mindset and keeping your family healthy is a priority at this time. Even through all of the hardship, we have to remember the importance of family and how great it is that a lot of people are able to spend so much additional time with their loved ones.  Since you and your family are probably couped up at home during this time, we invite you to try some of the following fun ideas to keep everyone busy and active. You may not be able to do all of them, but we hope that these ideas will spark some inspiration in your household!  Break out the old board games and have a family game night   Cook a recipe as a family - one that everybody loves, and assign each family member to a certain portion of the recipe   Go on a family bike ride, walk, or hike   Do a chore together each day, such as washing the dishes, vacuuming, or dusting. Play some music in the background and make it fun ... read more

At West Coast Tire & Service, we want you to know that our doors are still open and we are still available to assist with all of your auto care needs. Auto care is essential, even now, as many rely on their vehicles to get them to the store or to work for those employed in essential industries. We have made certain changes and adjustments to our processes and services to follow CDC regulations and to keep everyone safe.  We are reaching out during this time of crisis to check in on our community and offer our support. For the time being, we are open regular hours to make sure your vehicle is running safely during this time. If you or anyone you know needs automotive work we would be happy to pick up and drop off vehicles in our area to make our service completely contactless. We can speak over the phone and accept payment over the phone.  We are also taking protective measures at our shop to keep our employees and our customers safe including disinfecting surfaces ... read more