Van Nuys Auto Repair & Service Center

People in Van Nuys CA often ask the question: "Will using premium gas make my car run better?" The answer is simple. But first, let's talk about what exactly premium gasoline is. Different grades of gasoline have different octane ratings. Regular gasoline has the lowest octane rating and premium the highest. Most gas stations around Van Nuys CA also carry a mid-grade that falls in between the two. The octane range for the different grades of gas varies by region due to altitude differences. Engines require different octane ratings because of design differences. For example, turbocharged engines usually require premium gas. There's a sticker on your gas tank filler lid that tells you the minimum octane rating your manufactruer recommends. Read your owner's manual carefully to see if it's acceptable to use lower grades. Wi ... read more

  Let a AAA Approved Professional Check Your Tires, Brakes, Wipers and Steering Controls for FREE before something happens

  AutoAid in Van Nuys is donating $5 from every Oil Change we do in the month of October to Breast Cancer Research.  Funds collected will go to the following three organizations: Susan G. Koman, American Cancer Society and Stand Up 2 Cancer. We at AutoAid support Womens'  Health Month through donating a portion of our oil change service proceeds to this good cause

Power steering is standard on nearly every car and truck in Van Nuys, CA these days. Now there are some exotic, new types of power steering systems, but for the most part, the heart of the system is a pump that’s driven by a belt powered by the engine. The pump generates boost that assists you as you steer your sedan around Van Nuys, CA. Power steering systems use hoses to move pressurized fluid back and forth. These hoses can develop leaks so it’s a good idea to inspect them at every oil change. A check of the power steering fluid level is on the list for every full service oil change because low fluid can damage the power steering pump. And the fluid needs to be compatible with the hoses and seals, so you need to use the correct type –just ask your service consultant at AutoAid & Rescue. In addition to providing boost, the fluid cleans, cools and lub ... read more

If the fuel system in your sedan is dirty, you will be wasting gas and losing performance as you drive around Van Nuys CA. Unless you drive a vintage car, you have fuel injectors. They need to be properly maintained. That is why your owner’s manual has a schedule for cleaning your fuel injectors and other parts of your fuel system. Your service technician at AutoAid & Rescue has the tools and chemicals to do the job right. AutoAid & Rescue uses a process that gives your car a deep, professional fuel system cleaning. The particles, gum and varnish that build up in your fuel system are removed so that it can run cleanly and efficiently. After a professional fuel system cleaning, you’ll notice more power, better gas mileage and reduced exhaust emissions. AutoNetTV strongly recommends you follow your manufactruer’s fuel system cleaning service recommen ... read more

So, when are your tires actually worn out? This is a question a lot of us in Van Nuys CA ask ourselves. For many, the answer is 'when they no longer pass a safety inspection'. But waiting that long can have a serious impact on your safety. The U.S. Federal government doesn’t have any laws for tread depth, but 42 of the states, and all of Canada, do have regulations. They consider two-thirty-seconds of an inch to be the minimum legal tread depth. Two other states, including California, consider one-thirty-second to be the minimum and six states have no standards at all. Call us at AutoAid & Rescue (just call 818-901-1113) to find out what your requirements are in the Van Nuys CA area. Since 1968, U.S. law has required that a raised bar be molded across all tires. When tires are worn enough that this bar becomes visible, there’s just 2/32” of tread left. But does that older standard give you enough safety? Well ... read more

Something you’re going to be hearing a lot about around Van Nuys, CA is diesel engines. We’re not talking about semi-trucks and buses – We’re talking about diesel engine cars, pick-ups and SUVs. Most people in Van Nuys, CA are surprised to learn that around half the cars on the road in Europe have diesel engines. Nearly all import auto manufactruers offer a range of diesel engines abroad – even the ultra-luxury brands like Mercedes and BMW. For the most part, these diesel engines haven’t been available in Van Nuys, CA. But that’s about to change. In the past, North American diesel fuel has had a much higher sulfur content than European fuel. Recent environmental laws have required changes in diesel formulation and emissions standards here in Van Nuys, CA so we are now ready to start seeing more diesel options offered over the next few years. Why are so many interested in ... read more

New car dealership closings are all over the news. Nearly 800 Chrysler dealerships canceled. About 1,100 GM dealers’ contracts will not be renewed after October 2010. And record numbers are just shutting down because they aren’t selling enough cars and trucks to stay in business. It’s estimated that some 40,000 dealership service bays could be taken out of service in the next year or so. Of course, this is a tragedy for those who work at our local Van Nuys dealerships and the owners that risk losing much of their life’s work. Our Van Nuys communities will lose some of our best corporate citizens. Think of all the youth sports team, service clubs and Van Nuys community events that have been sponsored by our local new car dealers. One question we hear a lot at AutoNetTV is, 'Who will service my car?' Van Nuys folks are concerned that they will not get the care and attention they need. They're wondering where th ... read more

Sometimes when we talk about exhaust service in Van Nuys, we think about exhaust pipes and mufflers. And if you can see smoke, or if it’s too loud. But, exhaust service at a place like AutoAid & Rescue is really a lot more comprehensive these days. For example, in the U.S., the federal government mandated catalytic converters for all cars in Van Nuys in 1976 and on-board emission control computers in 1990. CA and federal emissions requirements have forced manufactruers to come up with much more sophisticated ways to comply with environmental regulations. Cars sold in Canada follow the same guidelines. So, exhaust service has really become exhaust and emissions service. High-tech computer-controlled emissions devices are now a big part of that. And because it’s so sophisticated, your vehicle manufactruer recommends having your emission system ch ... read more

Our cars have to operate in a wide range of Van Nuys, CA temperatrues and our engine coolant must be able to perform 'no matter what'. Think for a moment about the environment where the coolant works. Very hot, high pressure, corrosive... And all the while, it has to protect the components of the cooling system from corrosion. These components are made from steel and aluminum, plastics and rubber. The coolant has to be formulated to protect against corrosion for all of these different materials. That’s why different manufactruers recommend different types of anti-freeze for our Van Nuys, CA vehicles. There are several different 'families' of anti-freeze available to us here in Van Nuys, CA. Your owners’ manual will tell you what kind you should use. Of course, AutoAid & Rescue will know what to put in your car. It’s important to stay on top of this because coolant system failure is the most common mechanical ... read more