Van Nuys Auto Repair & Service Center

Modern Van Nuys vehicles have several computers on board that control all kinds of things like engine functions, transmission shifts, traction control, anti-lock brakes, stability control, emissions – and on some vehicles, even steering, braking and the throttle. Think about that for a minute – things that used to be controlled by simple mechanical connections now have electronic controls that rely on computers, software and sensors. It’s no wonder that when something goes wrong with their sedan it can be pretty complicated for Van Nuys car owners to track down the source of the problem. To help your AutoAid & Rescue tech figure out what’s wrong, your sedan is equipped with on-board diagnostics. The Check Engine Light comes on to tell you there’s a problem and the engine management computer stores a trouble code. Your ... read more

Go Green on Earth Day with Car Care and Fuel-Saving Tips from AskPatty It's a bonus! Earth Day and Car Care Awareness Month In this video, Jody DeVere, CEO of AskPatty.com, joins Easy Does It host Ereka Vetrini to shine some light on what's really going on under your hood. When it comes to car care, DeVere says that the biggest mistake people make is "really not understanding what your car needs." To combat this, she says, "Crack open that dusty manual that's usually in the glove box of your car and understand the basic needs of your car and the intervals that those should be done. And then do it to the letter of the law. That's going to prevent a lot of costly, long-term, expensive problems." Click here to watch the Easy Does It Segment on Yahoo!Shine. Looking for other car care tips for Earth Day? Consider these following green tips from AskPatty.com to help you save the earth as well as save fuel. About 1.3 billion gallons of oil are used for oil changes in the U.S. each year ... read more

Mini golfing at the Encino Chamber of Commerce annual mini-golf tournament with the AutoAid foursome: Jack, David, Zakery Bulko and our special guest Bruce Boord of Thee Insurance Club of California -a great resource for home and auto insurance. We know how to have "fun" when "fun d raising

All those automotive fluids can be confusing for Los Angeles car owners. Recent years have brought new grades of engine oil, types of transmission fluid, coolant, and brake fluid. The right fluid protects your vehicle and helps it perform at its best. The wrong fluid won’t work as well for Van Nuys car owners and could even cause damage. In addition to new grades of engine oil, many sedans now leave the factory with synthetic oil. Los Angeles car owners should always use the recommended grade and type of oil in their engine. All coolant, also called antifreeze, used to be green. Now there are several other colors of coolant sold at AutoAid & Rescue in Van Nuys. Each type is designed to protect the cooling system components that are particular to your vehicle. The wrong stuff can void your sedan cooling system warranty and could even cause engine damage. Most ... read more

Do You Trust Your Auto Mechanic? Industry veteran, Jack Bulko, offers up a crash course on how to get the best possible experience out of your auto shop -- while avoiding being scammed. by Gregg Rosenzweig, Published April 04, 2013 In his 34 years in business, auto-shop owner Jack Bulko has seen (and heard) it all. His shop, One reason his shop gets stellar ratings and reviews on all the local search sites that matter (including ours). I recently sat down with Bulko at his shop in Van Nuys, Calif., where he bestowed his knowledge and expertise to help you, the customer, get the most out of your auto-shop experience. Lucky you. Auto Mechanic With Wrench Q & A With Jack Bulko, Owner of AutoAid Auto Repair & Service: If you were looking for an auto shop, what would be the first criteria you'd use as a customer? Jack: My first criteria would be longevity in the business. Another being AAA (Automobile Club of America) approved. Reviews. Today we're a review-driven society an ... read more

Men at work at AutoAid

When a Check Engine light illuminates on your dash, unless there's an immediate and noticeable change in the way the car performs, Don't Panic. The emissions system is detecting a fault in the system which stores a code in the vehicle computer for the technician to read and decipher. This light may come on and turn off, come on and stay on or flash. If it flashes, it's a more urgent message to have it checked. If not, get it in to AutoAid as soon as practical. Some check engine lights may cause the vehicle to stall, mis-shift lose power while others may have no noticeable effect. Best practices: Have it checked for your peace of mind