Van Nuys Auto Repair & Service Center

Ask a driver how to control the air conditioning in their vehicle and it’s a safe bet you'll get an answer. Ask that same driver to identify life-saving dashboard warning signals and the chance of a clear answer drops significantly. According to a recent survey conducted by Schrader International, a manufacturer of sensing and valve solutions, only four out of every ten drivers were unable to identify key dashboard warning icons. Now that summer is here and our road trip vacations are underway, it is more important than ever for drivers to be familiar with their vehicle and the systems put in place to warn them of potential danger. When viewing dashboard icons -- and depending on the car you drive,  ... read more

Driving is a daily task for most of us, and staying safe on the road is important. Your car is also likely one of your largest investments, so taking care of it should just be common sense. However, when you spend so much time in your car, it can be easy to overlook even the most basic safety and maintenance issues. These are great habits to get into so that your car will serve you well for years to come, and yet overlooking these simple tasks are some of the most common mistakes drivers make. Check Your Oil Frequently Everybody who drives knows that cars need an oil change from time to time. However, many drivers really neglect this fact. They know what needs to be done, but they don't do it. Why? While you might read that motor oil needs to be changed every 5,000 miles or so, the trut ... read more

A friend who doesn't drive her car much recently asked us if her car needs any different maintenance than one that is driven regularly. We reached to Tony Molla, the Vice President of Communications for the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, for advice. According to Tony, "there's actually not a lot different about maintenance on a vehicle that is only driven occasionally. Even a few hundred miles a month is enough driving to keep things like the battery charged and avoid any problems with parasitic energy drains from the accessories." “Your car is a machine,” Tony says, “and like any machine it needs regular maintenance to run properly. Following your o ... read more

Looking for ways to become more environmentally friendly with your car? Motorists can help protect the environment by following four simple steps from the non-profit Car Care Council. Follow a vehicle service schedule including steps like checking engine performance, keeping tires properly inflated, replacing air filters regularly, changing oil regularly and checking your gas cap. Routine maintenance helps reduce emissions and fuel consumption, saving money at the pump. Keep your current vehicle longer and limit the number of new cars you buy over the course of a lifetime. Extending vehicle life is as simple as taking care of your vehicle properly. You’ll gain years of reliable service without monthly car payments and higher insurance rates.Recycle or properly dispose motor oil, tires, bat ... read more