Van Nuys Auto Repair & Service Center

If you drive a car, you know about dashboard warning lights. Of these, the Check Engine light is one of the most infamous, and here at AutoAid we get daily calls from perplexed drivers with this mysterious light. “Check engine light” is also ranked among the most popular internet search terms for anything car care related. Modern cars, however, have a variety of warning lights you may catch a glimpse of when you start your car. These are lights for tire pressure, cooling system warnings, engine oil warnings, and more. So, if one of these lights illuminates, what should you do? Keep driving? Panic? Call a tow truck? Should you stop driving where you are, or is it okay to to “limp home?” Could you keep driving for a few more days, or weeks? Let’s tackle some of the most common warning lights below. Check Engine – Flashing vs. Solid We have all seen the dreaded Check Engine Light. This warning light can be an indicator of many different problems, whic ... read more

Uzma A.Porter Ranch, CA  6 friends  27 reviews 3/22/2017 By far the greatest auto body shop known to man! I called in from a recommendation from a friend, and was not disappointed at all. I got my side mirror fixed and an oil change in one day. I was very worried they wouldn't find the mirror parts, but thankfully they did. They even gave me a ride back to my office after I dropped off my car.  I dealt mostly with David S., who was such a great gentleman! When I first talked to him, I knew right away that he would do everything possible to help get my mirror fixed. And he did! I like that they respected me rather than judged me. Most mechanics up their prices just bec ... read more

There’s no more an important time to talk about potholes in LA. The cost, the danger, the unsightliness of them. You know, the ones Mayor Garcetti promised to fix in his first Mayoral run in 2013. Oh, and by the way, he’s running again today. Yes there is an election in L.A. today March 7, 2017. Also, the much needed rain amped up the pothole problem by making existing ones worse and new ones ample. The Laurel Canyon Sinkhole may have started as pothole. The danger to drivers is obvious. Blown tires, bent wheels, broken shock absorbers and struts, bent suspension, detached bumpers, broken mufflers and exhaust pipes and on the extreme side, accidents and sinkhole swallows. At AutoAid we’ve addressed all but the sinkhole vehicle damage and we’ve directed clients to recover the cost of the damage to their vehicles from the City of L.A. https://claims.lacity.org/Home/BasicClaim

As we all need to navigate through our daily driving - work, school, doctors appointments, etc. - especially in heavy rain, here's a number to call to check the road conditions to and from your destination: 800-427-7623. This is the CalTrans Road Conditions Hotline. Plan your route carefully, take your time, avoid flooded streets and watch the short video for important safety tips

Anti-Lock Brake systems were introduced to assist drivers in maintaining control of their vehicle during emergency braking in all weather conditions. Especially in rain, snow, ice and slick conditions. Simply stated, The ABS computer senses when a wheel locks up  when applying the brake pedal and electronically compensates for it by equalizing the brake pressure to all the wheels, thereby  avoiding a skidding and out of control vehicle. If you've never experienced the ABS engaging, the brake pedal will pulsate, the brakes will make unfamiliar and sometimes strange growling noises, but not to fear, the system is doing what it's designed to do. 

    Thanks to the Air Bag System in our 2007 Nissan Versa, my wife suffered minor injuries when the car Hydroplaned on the 101 near Santa Barbara during a rain storm last year. Even when driving through sitting water on the freeway with good tires and at a safe speed, hydroplaning can occur simply due to the separation and lift created by water between the tire surface and the road. Unfortunately, the car was a total loss and fortunately my wife wasn't. We loved that little car, but I love my wife more.   Take advantage of the Wet Weather offer at AutoAid which includes a free inspection of tires, brakes, wipers, lights and more to keep you safe on the road during this long overdue rainy season in Southern California

  With more rain coming, we welcome you to bring in your vehicle for a FREE rain essential courtesy check. We will check your tires, brakes (visual check), wipers, lights, defroster and battery. These components are critical to safe driving in the rain and flooded roadways.  Even though we offer Body and Collision Repair service and work with any insurance company, we would prefer you minimize the risk of an accident by knowing your vehicle is ready for inclement weather.  Please call or go on-line to make an appointment for this courtesy offer and share it with a friend. 

  For one reason or another, your vehicle’s deterioration and/or failure to meet your daily needs may be forcing you to consider its replacement. To complicate this further, the consistent evolution of the auto industry to meet the ever-changing needs of the sometimes fickle American auto consumer in today’s precarious economy can make it difficult to clearly understand the ins and outs of buying versus leasing new vehicles. Making sense of the many factors involved in making a wise choice between buying or leasing a new car can be difficult. And in some cases, it may even be smarter to consider purchasing a quality used car. In an effort to make this decision easier for you, we are providing a comparison of these three considerations. However, before we do this, you must analyze your specific auto needs and financial abilities. Take some time to try to answer these two questions ... read more

  Did you know there was an estimated 9.5 percent increase in traffic fatalities in the first quarter of 2015? Or that there has been little progress in improving the fuel economy of vehicles since the early 1990s? Factoids such as these come through my e-mail pretty much daily and, while each one does not merit a full article, combined they do offer something interesting for everyone. Here are some recent news items drivers will find of interest. -- Despite advances in fuel-saving technologies in the last 25 years, the on-road fuel economy for all vehicles (cars, trucks, buses, and motorcycles) has improved by less than 1 mile per gallon during that time, according to a study by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute. Part of the reason is that it takes many years to turn over the fleet. The average age of a light-duty vehicle on the road is currently 11.4 years. So, man ... read more

      Thanks to my wife Debbie for the warm, wonderful and inviting Holiday Decorations at the Shop. Please stop by  for a Hot Cocoa, Cookies and Candy Cane. Or just to say Hello. Happy Holidays!