Van Nuys Auto Repair & Service Center

By Jack Bulko, AutoAid Finding a new automotive repair shop isn’t one of the top ten things on people’s to-do lists when they move to a new area due to college, a corporate transfer or a new job. However, it should be. Your car will need an oil change or other maintenance, new tires or a at some point along the way. And when any of these instances occur, finding a shop that does maintenance, repair, tires, all in one place, is useful. So how do you find a reliable mechanic when you’re new to the area? Finding a Reliable Repair Shop My friend, Charlie, was just telling me about his son who moved to Colorado for a new job opportunity. “He loves everything about Colorado,” he told me, “except he can’t find a decent repair shop.” His son was discouraged and told his father, “I can&rsq ... read more

New Hours of Operation Starting Monday, March 23, 2020 As of Monday, March 23, 2020, our new (temporary) shop hours will be Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5 PM. Our offer to Pick up and deliver vehicles for essential services still stands. If you wish to take advantage of this offer, please call ahead to discuss your needs. According to the recent LA City decree to stay home, the excerpt from that order below classifies AutoAid as an essential business. We are here for you as long as possible with yours and our staff's health and safety in mind. Public Order Under City of Los Angeles Emergency Authority Issue Date: March 19, 2020 (vii) Essential Activities Exempt. Certain business operations and activities are exempt from the provisions of this Order, on the grounds that they provide services that are recognized to be critical to the health and well-being of the City. These include: (f) Gas service stations, auto supply, mobile auto repa ... read more

Car Service Can Wait but Emergencies Can’t.To our Valued Customers, employees and friends in the community,Current events relating to the Coronavirus have forced us all to alter our daily routines to a practical standstill. Without our health we cannot function as individuals serving our families, employees and communities. With that in mind, we encourage you to follow health professionals protocols and limit your exposure to avoidable gatherings and encounters.We fully understand your dependence on your automobile, however, if you’re due for scheduled maintenance, or any non-essential services, please postpone it to a later date. If on the other hand you’ve experienced a mechanical breakdown, unsafe driving condition, check engine light or safety related items like brakes, tires or any other area you feel unsafe with, please call us at 818-901-1113 to discuss and evaluate your concern. We are here for y ... read more

By Jack Bulko, AutoAid A customer called our shop the other morning. “I can’t believe it! I just drove to the corner of my street, and I noticed smoke coming out from under the hood. What should I do now? It’s difficult to assess what is going on under the hood unless I can see, hear and smell it. I told him that if he hadn’t already pulled off the side of the road, to do so now. I wanted to make sure he was safe. I then asked him if any lights on the dashboard indicated a problem? For example, did the temperature light or gauge indicate the engine was hot? Or was the oil icon indicating a leak? I also wanted him to note what it smelled like—different smells are associated with various issues. In addition, I asked him to tell me how dense the smoke is, how far away he was from the car at the time, and if he had an auto club membership. It turned out that he did have a membership with a road service company that included ... read more