Van Nuys Auto Repair & Service Center

Virtually all vehicles come with power steering so many Van Nuys drivers have never driven a car or truck without it. Power steering assists you when you turn your sedan steering wheel. Without it, it would be very hard to steer. Now this power assist comes in a couple of forms. In recent years, a lot of Los Angeles vehicles have an electric motor that reduces steering effort and helps improve fuel economy. The other kind of power steering is hydraulic. This is the kind most older CA vehicles, and a lot of newer ones, have. Power steering fluid is pressurized by a pump and is used to assist steering. Of course, Los Angeles drivers need the right amount of fluid in the system. If it’s too low your steering is affected and you could damage your sedan pump. Also, power steering fluid can become corrosive over time and damage the pump, hoses and connectors; leading to leaks ... read more

There are so many tire choices in the Van Nuys, Encino, and Tarzana area, selecting the right one can be a bit overwhelming for Los Angeles auto owners. And even though it’s kind of fun to have new tires on your sedan, they’re a significant investment for most Los Angeles folks so you want do it right. Tip: talk with your family AutoAid & Rescue tire professional. He’ll help you sort through the choices. Here are some of the issues you’ll talk about: One is size – you know, all those numbers on the side of the tire. The right size is key. All new vehicles are required to have stability control which, along with other important safety systems, is calibrated to work with specific tire sizes. Your Van Nuys tire professional can help stay within vehicle manufactruers' specifications or program a different tire size into your sedan’s computer. And you’ll want to discuss how and where y ... read more

All pilots have checklists for every aspect of flying. They always use their checklists even if they only have two steps on them. They do this simply because a checklist is a great way to not forget important steps. It is also how you can assure a predictable outcome. That is why Sherman Oaks and Encino automotive service centers have procedural standards for each service they perform. Technicians are trained step by step. And they perform the procedures step by step, the same way each time. By training to procedural standards, centers can assure a quality outcome. The job is done right every time and you are happy with how your car performs. Each company trains its technicians to standards. The industry as a whole is very committed to standards of excellence and encourages individual service center operators to apply them to every vehicle they service. An example is how service technicians grade problems and communicate their recommendations. If a technician tells you that a repair ... read more

It's important for Van Nuys auto owners to know battery basics. First, let’s talk about which is harder on a battery – hot or cold CA weather. Most Los Angeles auto owners think it’s cold weather because that’s when we call on our batteries to have enough power to start a cold sedan engine. However, heat does more damage to a battery than cold. Truth is, our batteries start to die a little from day one. Keeping a full charge slows the process, which is hard with short Van Nuys trips because the alternator doesn’t have time to fully recharge the battery from starting the engine. Van Nuys auto owners can top off the charge with a computer controlled battery charger – say, once a month in the summer and every three months during the winter. As far as how long a battery will last, statistics show that 70% have given up the ghost within four years. By ... read more

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