West Los Angeles Auto Repair

No matter where you drive, what kind of terrain you drive on, or how often you drive, your vehicle’s tire maintenance is something that you never forget. When you neglect to inspect and service your tires, you’re putting your safety on the line, losing money that could be saved over time, and bringing down the performance of your vehicle.  Tire maintenance includes regularly performing the following tasks:  Rotating your tires Monitoring your tire pressure  Checking your tire treads Getting wheel alignments and wheel balancing Knowing when to replace your tires To make things easier for you, here are some of the signs that indicate you are due for tire maintenance: Sign #1: Odd Vibrations  Does your drive never feel smooth, even when driving on a flat road surface? If you get random wheel vibrations, your tires may be improperly inflated or you require a wheel alignment and/or balance adjustment.  Sign #2: Tire Pressure Drops  In the ... read more

The check engine light can be quite scary for motorists in Los Angeles. Essentially, your automobile is telling you that something is wrong. And to properly diagnose it, you can count on the experts at West Coast Tire & Service. But what if the light is blinking? Read on to learn the differences between a flashing vs steady engine light. Steady Engine Light When the check engine light stays on your dashboard, it means that you have an engine-related problem. Thankfully, the issue isn’t deadly. So in most cases, you will be okay to continue driving for a short period. Regardless, you should bring your car to your trusted auto repair shop ASAP. The problem can likely escalate, and you may notice the light flickering. Flashing Engine Light A blinking check engine light is a major concerning sign. In this case, you should stop driving immediately and call for a tow to an auto repair shop ASAP. Please remember to put on your emergency lights and pull away to a safe location ... read more

The California sun can get harsh, especially during the summer. Now that fall is finally here in LA, we think you should crack down on your car maintenance. Fall is all about recovery, and the team at West Coast Tire & Service wants to help you with your auto maintenance this season so that you and your loved ones can stay safe on the road. Here are our top 10 fall car care tips! Replace your wiper blades - The heat and harmful UV rays can harden your wipers and cause them to crack.  Check car fluids and top them off - Your vehicle has many different fluids, including coolant, brake fluid, washer fluid, and more.  Test the car lights. They include your headlights, taillights, high beams, and more. Over time, these bulbs naturally burn out or the lens gets oxidized. To ensure optimal visibility while driving, please have a mechanic check these out.  Inspect tires - Using a pres ... read more

The automobile’s suspension system is key to ensuring drivers enjoy a smooth and pleasant ride. The system is quite complex, consisting of shock absorbers, struts, springs, and more to help absorb the impacts of bumps and other road imperfections. By keeping your suspension in check, you will have a safer, smoother, and more efficient ride.     Suspension maintenance is not difficult at all. All you have to do is keep up with your vehicle services by bringing your car to the experts at West Coast Tire & Service. We have knowledgeable technicians who can thoroughly inspect your suspension components and check to make sure that they are performing their job.    To understand what needs to be done with your suspension system, you should first know what its primary parts are. They include the shock absorbers, coil springs, struts, leaf springs, and the tires.  Shock absorbers are long cylinder-shaped pistons filled with fluid or gas. They suppor ... read more

If you know a thing or two about electric vehicles or EVs, their batteries are the powerhouse of the vehicle. Instead of gasoline, the electric engine gets its converts energy from the battery to move your car. That is why it is important for EV drivers to find mechanics that they can trust to service their vehicles.   Batteries are complex in EVs, and they were the primary reason why people are skeptical about buying an electric car in the first place. Before, batteries couldn’t hold as much power as EVs. However, the rapid advancements in recent years have increased EPAs, the estimated range for the number of miles that a vehicle can travel in both city and highway driving before needing to be charged. As a result, electric cars are more resilient than ever before, gaining more and more popularity.    So, you’re probably thinking of the big, winning question: how long do batteries in electric vehicles last? EV batteries are typically covered up to ... read more

HEVs (hybrid electric vehicles) combine the benefits of gasoline engines and electric motors. They can be designed to fulfill a variety of goals, such as enhanced power or greater fuel economy. Hybrids work by combining the power of a gasoline engine and an electric motor to drive the wheels. They're all reliant on the same fundamental concepts, which are listed below: When you press on the gas pedal at low speeds or when softly advancing from a stop, the electric motor kicks in and drives the drive wheels. The gasoline engine will kick in and power the wheels after you reach a specific speed, usually about 35 to 40 miles per hour. When traveling at high speeds on the highway, the gasoline engine takes care of the labor. The gasoline engine in a standard hybrid or mild hybrid car usually recharges the battery that powers the electric motor. When you coast or brake and remove your foot off the pedal: In a hybrid car, you are often using the battery when coasting downhill or comi ... read more

If you know a thing or two about cars, you probably know how damaging the heat can be to your vehicle. Specifically speaking, car batteries can drain quicker in the summer than any other time. Batteries contain acid, and some have water too, and the heat can evaporate the liquids.    When this happens, It can accelerate battery corrosion and damage. To prevent your battery from dying quickly, follow these 5 maintenance tips below: Keep your car in the shade - To keep your car cool and away from the heat, we recommend parking your car in shaded areas. If you have access to a garage, use it.  Check for corrosion frequently - It is important that you keep an eye out on your battery’s condition. It is simple – just pop the hood open and check to see if there’s any corrosion around the battery’s connection points. You will need to clean the battery if there is. Baking soda and water will get the job done. Avoid too short of drives - Too short of t ... read more

We all love the summertime, but the heat can be damaging to your vehicle’s engine. It is important for you to be very careful this summer, especially if you haven’t gotten your cooling system maintenance. Since we don’t want you to face any unexpected breakdowns this summer, here are some tips to prevent engine overheating.  Tip 1 - Keep Your Car in the Shade Parking your vehicle out of the sun can keep the inside of the car cool, but it can keep your engine cool too. If you have a garage at home, don’t forget to take advantage of it! If you’re parking in public, opt for a shady spot.  Tip 2 - Use Sun Shades If you don’t have access to tip #1, we recommend you invest in a set of sunshades. This car accessory is great at blocking out harmful UV rays.  Tip 3 - Pay Attention to Your Temperature Gauge The temperature gauge is a way to monitor your engine temperature. Located on your dashboard, the gauge has a needle that should remai ... read more

As electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrids become increasingly popular, many drivers are wondering how regenerative braking works. Here's a quick overview: In a traditional gasoline-powered car, the engine converts chemical energy into mechanical energy, which is then used to turn the wheels. When you hit the brakes, that mechanical energy is wasted as heat. In a hybrid or EV, braking is done using an electric motor instead of the engine. As you slow down, the electric motor acts as a generator and converts the vehicle's momentum into electricity that can be stored in the battery. This regenerative braking helps to reduce fuel consumption and extend the range of your vehicle, making it a crucial part of the hybrid/EV driving experience. Types of regenerative braking systems Mechanical Braking System Mechanical systems use a physical connection between the wheels and the electric motor to slow the vehicle down. The most common type of mechanical system is called a friction brak ... read more

It's normal for you to feel concerned when one or more of your dashboard warning light comes on. One symbol that you might catch on your dash is the TPMS, or tire pressure monitoring system, light. It is often described as a horseshoe-like symbol with an exclamation mark inside it. When this light comes on, it means that one or more of your tires are too low in pressure.   What to Do First: Manually Check Your Tire Pressure Manufacturers will list the recommended psi for your tires on a stick in the doorjamb of the driver's door. Otherwise, you can refer to your vehicle's owner's manual. Use a gauge to measure your tires' psi to determine which ones are impacted. If the numbers don't match up, adjust the air.   Next, you can take your vehicle to a tire-filling station at gas stations to refill your tires with air. Most importantly, don't lose the valve caps when doing so. Once the tires are all at normal pressure, the TPMS light should reset o ... read more