Van Nuys Auto Repair & Service Center

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

  Your car warranty has expired and you need a repair. After some frustration and confusion, the first question that pops into your mind is: Where do I go for service when my car warranty expires? You may be tempted to go back to the dealership, and they’ll be happy to provide service when my car warranty expires, but that is almost always the more expensive option. You want a trusted mechanic and to know you are getting a fair price for your repairs and maintenance. The answer to this often asked question is a reputable, independent shop like AutoAid in Van Nuys, CA. Perhaps you need an oil change, Is it time for a new car battery or has a dreaded Check Engine Light turned on? AutoAid understands how aggravating that can be, especially right after your warranty has expired. So if you’re wonderin ... read more

Here in California, we go on road trips year-round. But summer is an even more popular time to get in the car and go on a road trip. Not only does it cost less than an airplane flight for the whole family, you save on rental car costs at your destination, too. But road trips put a lot of miles and stress on a car, so your car is ready for the ride. These should be the top items on your “Road Trip Checklist.” Keep in mind that AutoAid can run through this checklist for you. In fact, we have a 38 point car care courtesy check that we offer free to members of our community. Call or make an appointment online and we’ll check your car for you, and make sure your car is ready and healthy enough for your road trip. Your Road Trip Checklist Check Your Tire Pressure Your car’s performance starts with making sure your tires are in goo ... read more

Broken air conditioning in a vehicle can leave you very uncomfortable and agitated in hot weather. Boy, is it Hot. Prompt repair is critical to your total cost, since AC problems get worse the longer they go unchecked. Early detection of AC problems is critical. Some common symptoms include: Weak Airflow Weak air flow is an indication of AC problems to come. Common reasons your AC system might be having a hard time providing ice cold air include: o   Loose AC Compressor Belt o   Mold or mildew accumulation from the residual moisture of the AC system o   Loose or broken seals o   Broken ventilation fan Warm Air From Your Car AC Warmer than normal air coming out of your vents is another indicator of AC problems that will eventually lead to AC system failure, commonly caused by: o   A clog in the refrigerant ch ... read more

If you want your car to run smoothly for a long time, it’s important to be a good car owner, which means taking great care of your car. This is especially true in the most extreme weather conditions, like we get here in Los Angeles -- and in the San Fernando Valley in particular -- when it’s hot outside. The heat can lead to big car maintenance issues if the problems aren’t addressed as soon as possible. So, it’s important to take your car to a mechanic like AutoAid to prevent Hot Weather Driving Damage from turning a small problem into a big problem. After all, a few minutes and a few dollars now can save you a lot of money and stress in the long run. Hot Weather Car Maintenance Yes, the heat can lead to your car’s engine overheating. However, it’s not the only hot weather car maintenance issue your car faces in the heat. Tires: It’s a good idea to regularly check your tires. However, this is especially true when it’s hot outside beca ... read more

It’s summertime, which means there’s hot weather outside of your car and an air conditioner on full blast on the inside of your car. And chances are that at the time you need your car air conditioning most is when it quits on you and starts blowing cool or even warm air. So why is your car air conditioning not cold? We see this a lot here at AutoAid. And what we find are that the reasons for your A/C blowing mildly cool or warm air range from simple to complex, and from cheap to expensive. They can be caused by normal wear and tear, or actual damage or malfunctioning parts. Whatever the cause, AutoAid’s ASE certified mechanics can find the right problem and fix it for you, fast. Here are six of the most likely causes of your air conditioning not being cold. Freon Leak Freon is the chemical refrigerant that cools the warm air before it is blown back into your car. Since today’s air conditioning ... read more

Something just went wrong with your car. You bring it into your dealer who just told you it will cost thousands of dollars to repair. But you don’t have thousands of dollars to spend on automobile repairs, and even if you did, you don’t want to spend it unless you have to. You also want to make sure you’re fixing the right thing, and not just anything. So before you give the go-ahead for your car repairs at the dealer, you should probably get a car repair second opinion.  People commonly get second opinions when they’re diagnosed with serious medical conditions, or when consulting on legal matters. It doesn’t occur to most people to get a car repair second opinion, but you should, and here are three great reasons why. Saving You Money Getting a car repair second opinion is a great way to save money. For example, your dealer may tell you that you need a new radiator which can be a very expensive ... read more

Welcome back to the AutoAid Blog as we continue our discussion of common (and commonly confusing) dashboard warning lights. Ever see a light you didn’t recognize on your dashboard? Is one lit now? Not sure if your vehicle is safe to drive? If your check engine light is illuminated and you’re not sure why, check out Part One of this article for the lowdown on the CEL, or just swing by AutoAid in Van Nuys and let us check it out. If you have some other dashboard warning light illuminated, read on and get illuminated yourself! Battery Warning Light The battery warning light usually appears when you start the car, and then vanishes. If it stays on, or appears while driving, it could be an issue with your battery or with your alternator, or with the drive belt that powers the alternator. In any case, a battery warning light shouldn’t be ignored, especially at night when headlights and other components cause a higher strain on the battery. If your battery is more than 2 y ... read more

Look real closely and notice the Mommy Duck crossing the street in front of Weilers Deli on Sherman Way in West Hills. Oddly enough this is the second duck crossing seen on a major road by my wife in 3 days. The first was on the 101 N bound at Westlake blvd where a truck driver blocked three lanes to prevent vehicles from disrupting what would otherwise seem as a casual duck crossing out in nature but just so happened to be on a major California freeway. A real hero. Thank goodness to the good brakes on my wifes' car, her good nature and the good nature of hundreds of homebound motorists on the Ventura Freeway, who couldn't really see what was the cause of the delay, the Duck family was escorted to safety. So why did the ducks cross the road? Because they were LUCKY DUCKS