Van Nuys Auto Repair & Service Center

With the Holiday Season just around the corner, thousands of families who lost everything to the recent hurricanes, fires, and earthquakes, need our help. From now through the end of this year AutoAid will be collecting, and Direct Relief and the Salvation Army will be distributing the following: Coins: Loose change long forgotten in cup holders, purse bottoms, etc Canned Foods: Something Yummy for the Tummy Kids: Clothing, diapers, baby supplies and Toys (New Please) AutoAid will also add a dollar for every service invoice we write for repairs and body work from now through December 31st, 2017. Schedule your appointment today at http://autoaidrescue.com/appointments or call us and bring your goodies when you come in for service. Together, we can inspire Hope and bring Happiness to families and children in the devastated regions throughout this Holiday Season

Buying a used car might be a good choice, especially if you can find a great deal on a vehicle with low mileage. But not everything is always as it appears. While a car may look good on the outside, you could also be inheriting someone else’s problems. You don’t want that fantastic deal to turn a money pit. Before you buy a used vehicle, get a pre-purchase inspection for your Car, Truck, SUV or Hybrid at AutoAid. Do Your Research You read, you research and you consider all your options. You’re an educated consumer, and you know that it’s a smart idea to have a solid plan in place. If you need help, check out Edmonds.com, which offers a handy 10-step guide to buying a used car. Their 8th step is particularly important: have the car inspe ... read more

Remember the days when a few guys in a truck would drive around a parking lot asking if you wanted to buy some stereo equipment? Dealing with auto body repair scammers is very similar. You might park your car, all set to run into a store to do a few errands, when a guy notices that your car has some damage. He offers to repair it right then and there, telling you it will be a perfect job and save you a lot of time and money. All you have to do is pay him “X” amount of cash. Politely but adamantly tell him “no thanks,” then walk away. This is a classic scam. These “dent repair” scammers—or “dent gypsies,” as they are sometimes called—prey on people who are in a rush and not as informed as they should be. These scammers will either take your money and disappear the moment you are out of sight, or they will do a horrible job and make your car look and even run worse than before. Bondo, colored wax, and cheap paint is not the cor ... read more

It happens to everyone...that moment when you accidentally back into something you did not see, or mis-navigate a turn in a parking structure. So now you have to ask yourself: should I file an insurance claim when I’ve damaged my own car? If you have caused no other property damage and the only damage is to your own car, you will now need to decide whether you should pay for the repairs out of your own pocket or go through your insurance, which could, of course, raise your rates. While this is frustrating, at least you are the sole decision maker. Dealing with another party, if another vehicle is involved, can be much trickier. In that situation, you may not have a choice about whether you should go through insurance or pay for the repairs yourself. Should I File An Insurance Claim When I’ve Damaged My Own Car? In order to completely answer this question, you need to be informed about the condition of your car. This means going to a reliable and trustworthy auto body sh ... read more

This October is Fall Car Care Month, and here at AutoAid, we want to remind you to take a little bit of time to be “Car Care Aware,” as the team at CarCare.org put it. Every year in April and October, CarCare.org celebrates a month of vehicle maintenance awareness, in the hopes of reminding drivers like you that taking a few simple steps now can save you the trouble of an emergency breakdown – not to mention more than a few bucks on the cost of repairs – down the road. Whether you handle some of these tasks yourself or prefer to trust Jack, David, and the expert team at AutoAid of Van Nuys, CA for your auto service & maintenance needs, we recommend these important steps to take this Fall Car Care Month to ensure your vehicle performs well all year long. Battery. Check your connections, and make sure they are tight, clean, and free from cor ... read more

You were just involved in a minor accident. After you realize that no one seems to be injured and that the damage appears to be minimal, one question always comes up: Should I file an insurance claim or settle out of pocket? The answer depends on several things, including who was at fault. Clearly, if it was your fault, you would prefer not to see your insurance rates go up. You may plead with the other party to handle the repairs privately and not report it. And if it was their fault, they may do the same with you. Regardless, there are several steps you must take. Should I File An Insurance Claim Or Settle Out Of Pocket? Get All The Information Before You Decide The first step is to not leave the scene before you exchange all information with the other party, including phone numbers. You should also take photos of all of the damage, so nothing additional can be claimed after the fact. In these kinds of situations, information and knowledge are key. So as soon as you can, get an e ... read more

An auto accident is a terrible thing. Whether or not there are any injuries, no one feels good afterwards. It is just a hassle on so many levels. To make matters worse, there are a great variety of auto accident scams out there. It’s just one more thing that all drivers need to be highly aware of. Every driver knows that no matter how safely they drive and how aware they are of their surroundings, there are things they have no control over, including people setting you up for an accident. These auto accident scammers are professionals who know exactly what they are doing, and often work in teams, thus providing “witnesses” to provide false evidence against you. If you feel you are the victim of an auto accident scam, do all you can to protect yourself. Read this list from the DMV about things you should do at the scene of the accident. Then get your car to a reliable and trustworthy sh ... read more

How do you get your car repaired after an accident? This is not a question anyone wants to have to ask, but it is necessary...especially before you make your problems worse by choosing the wrong body shop or blindly following your insurance company’s advice. If you are involved in a collision, just remember that accidents DO happen and that they are usually repairable. Hopefully there are no injuries and all that you will have to deal with is getting your car repaired, but it can be stressful and time consuming...unless you get help from someone who knows what to do. AutoAid has always been on the side of our clients, helping you get the best repairs with the best parts at the lowest cost and least inconvenience to you. Here’s how to get through this difficult time. Dealing With Your Insurance Company Your first step will be to contact your insurance company, which will assign you an adjuster. While it’s the adjuster’s job to help you get your car repaired ... read more

We’ve gone digital! No, this does not mean we will have virtual employees or that we will be greeting you with robots! We pride ourselves on always welcoming you with a smile and a handshake. That’s always been a big part of who we are, but we also know how busy life gets. With AutoAid, you can now get access all of your car service information online or in your inbox. Just check your computer, tablet or phone and we’ll all be on the same digital page. Your Car Service Information Online Our website has all the details about the many services we offer, as well as tips to keep your car running as smoothly as possible. You can learn about our Car & Truck Courtesy Check, and any other repair or maintenance you may need, and making an appointment right online is easy. It’s just another way of us ta ... read more

It’s back to school time, and that means worries for parents. Even if you’re confident in your teen’s ability to drive, there are many things which can go wrong with a car including flat tires, dead batteries, and other maintenance issues. If your teen driver doesn’t know how to respond to these issues, it can lead to worry, stress, or increased damage to the vehicle. Here are AutoAid’s tips for back to school car care – and if you want to be certain your teen’s ride is school ready, come on in for a free courtesy check here at AutoAid. Please call ahead 818-305-6632 or make an appointment on-line. When All Else Fails, Read the Manual Step one for learning car care should be familiarizing yourself with the vehicle’s manual. Many maintenance tips will appear here, including the correct type of oil, tire pressure levels, and service inter ... read more