Orinda Auto Repair

Happy 2018 everybody! With the New Year upon us, you may be thinking “out way the old, and in with the new.” However, does this saying apply to your car; is now the right time to purchase a new car? We, at Orinda Motors, have compiled a few questions for you to answer. If you are saying yes to most of these, then you may think the New Year means getting a new car.   Are repairs costing more than the car is worth? If you are unsure about your answer to this question, bring your vehicle to Orinda Motors, and let our technicians have a look. We will be honest about the condition of your car. Is safety becoming an issue? It doesn’t matter how well maintained your car is. If it is unsafe to operate, it is time to go. We don’t cut any corners with safety, and we don’t think you should either. Is the cost of auto insurance rising? Older cars, on average, tend to be more expensive to insure, but pay close attention to your premium. You may end up payin ... read more

Orinda Motors is delighted to have a new division to serve our customers: Orinda Classic Car Center. At our facility, we truly enjoy working on vintage vehicles, and we think our passion shows in the work we perform. We think the honest and heartfelt reviews left by our clients are a testament to our actions. Take a look at this recent review from one of our beloved customers, who frequents Orinda Classic Car Center:   “The Appraiser said my fully restored stunning Aquamarine 1960 Thunderbird was a "Cream Puff Extraordinaire ". You can't get a higher rating than that, right? Thanks, John V. and Staff for getting me to the finish line on my dream car restoration. I feel like Doris Day driving over the Golden Gate bridge in one of her movies. Nice. Spoiled. Just Spoiled. I tell John V. what I want and please keep me on a budget and 3 days later he has 3 or 4 ideas of what needs urgent attention for safety and throws in some glamour as well. My rear view mirror ... read more

Your car is often your second biggest investment, right behind your home. It is incredibly important to protect such a precious investment, and our team at Orinda Motors is here to help to keep your car safe and secure for the long-term. Along with providing exceptional auto service and detailing, we have a few tips and tricks designed to prolong the life of your beloved car.   Here are the top 5 ways you can protect and preserve your car’s value:   Protect your vehicle’s paint job with Opti-Coat Pro coating: Opti-Coat Pro will protect your car’s surface indefinitely. It is thicker than any other clear coating, as it prevents scratches, swirl marks, and acidic environmental substances. This product is only available at authorized installers. Fortunately, Orinda Auto Detail is one of these installers. Never underestimate the importance and necessity of Oil Change Service: An oil change service is vital to the safety and longevity of your car. If your ... read more

Orinda Motors cares about the safety of you and your family, and we want your Halloween celebrations to go off without a hitch. From goblins to princesses, we think there will be a quite a few distractions out there on the road. That’s why we have put together some safety tips for driving on Halloween. We want your Halloween night to be more treat than trick, so we encourage you to take a look at the list of the safety tips we have put together:   Don’t use a cell phone or any other electronic device. In fact, we recommend putting it completely away, so it won’t even have the chance of distracting you. This way, you can focus on what’s in front of you. Who knows you might see a ghost gliding past you across the street? Pay close attention to crosswalks and intersections. Kids tend to dart across the street, eager to get to the next home and fill their bags with even more goodies, so be prepared for those enthusiastic trick-or-treaters. Make sure you ... read more

Orinda Auto Rental is an affordable alternative to rental car agencies. We have one convenient car rental locations. Our main location is at 63 Orinda Way, and it is only a 3-minute walk away from the Orinda BART station. We offer clean, well-maintained, and affordable rental cars for you to choose from. You have the choice between compact, mid-, and full-size rental vehicles.   To make things even easier for our customers, Orinda Auto Rental offers local pickup and delivery service, free of charge. We can easily pick you up from the Orinda BART station and bring you to your waiting rental car. We are open 7 days a week, and we will try our best to work around your busy schedule.   Orinda Auto Rental is located in the heart the Lamorinda area, and we make sure to be involved in our beloved community. Our location is fitting, as we put our “heart” into helping our community anyway can. We are the original founder of the Classic Car Show, which was designed to ... read more

  Back-to-school season is officially here, which means running around to get school supplies, new clothes, and the list seems to go on and on. Amidst this busy time, it can be easy to forget about your reliable car. The team at Orinda Motors is here to remind you about ten car repairs you should have checked regularly:   Oil: Your car’s oil keeps everything running smoothly, and it doesn’t have the right level of oil, your car simply won’t run right. Tire Pressure: Nowadays, many cars are equipped with a TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System), which will alert you if something isn’t right with your tire pressure. Since this system monitors our tires, it is important to have it checked out by a professional. Brakes: Please don’t wait until you hear a screeching noise when you step on the brakes. Having your brakes regularly inspected by a professional is necessary for your, your family’s, and your vehicle’s safety. Power Ste ... read more

Summer is officially here, which means it is time for some summer fun. Because we live in such a beautiful area, a summer road trip is an excellent way to pass the time with your family. When it comes to the safety of you, your passengers, and your car, we think it is always better to be safe than sorry. Before you embark on your summer road trip, we recommend thoroughly preparing your car.   Let’s make sure your car is prepared for your summer adventure. One of the first tasks we recommend is scheduling an appointment for a checkup at Orinda Motors. Our team will thoroughly inspect your car for signs of impending or current problems, along with performing basic maintenance, such as topping off fluids and taking a look at your headlights. Along with a comprehensive inspection, we recommend browsing through our checklist we have put together:   Be prepared for everything and anything. Pack an emergency kit, in the case of a medical emergency or accident. It would b ... read more

If your car has started to look dull, or if you have noticed any damage to the paint or the interior, it most likely is time for a detailing. However, the team at Orinda Auto Detail recommends being proactive, meaning don’t wait until your car is in desperate need of detailing. Stay a step ahead. Now, you may be asking: how often should I detail your car? Keep reading for the answer.   Detailing is the process of carefully and thoroughly cleaning both the exterior and interior of your car. At Orinda Auto Detail, our methods for washing, polishing, interior cleaning, conditioning, and full paint correction are down to a science. We use the highest quality of products, including Opti-Coat Pro. In fact, these products are the gold standard in the detailing industry. Many people believe once their vehicle is sealed with Opti-Coat, you don’t have to wash it for months, which is not true. Your best bet is to wash your vehicle every 3 weeks after it has been sealed. &nbs ... read more

Spring is officially here, and we absolutely enjoy seeing the shining sun, blooming flowers, and the budding trees. Spring is definitely a welcome relief from winter weather. However, we have to be wary of spring showers. April is known for the downpour of rain. In fact, the popular saying “April showers bring May flowers” is practically ingrained in our mind. In order to prepare for Mother Nature’s downpour, we need to make sure your windshield wipers are working in tip-top shape.   Rain results in decreased visibility, a slippery road, and overall, disconcerting driving conditions. Your vehicle’s windshield wipers are your first line of defense against the rain, so we have to make sure they are properly performing. If your windshield wipers are in need of replacement, you will experience any one of the following symptoms:   The rubber on your windshield wiper blades is cracked or broken. Your windshield wipers are leaving behind streaks. Wh ... read more

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Do you know what you are getting for the car lover in your life? To help answer that question, we have compiled a list of the perfect gifts to get your car enthusiast:   Air Vent Cell Phone Holder: Nowadays, we use our phones for just about everything, including GPS. With a cell phone holder mounted to the car vent, you are able to easily follow the GPS directions, while keeping your eyes safely locked on the road.​ Personalized Garage Sign: If your car lover loves to spend time in the garage, then a personalized sign for their garage is absolutely perfect. Whether that says their name or even car model, it is an excellent addition to any car lover’s garage. Automatic Cordless Tire Inflator: We all know that properly fueled tires have numerous benefits, including better fuel efficiency and a smoother ride. This tire inflator is ready to go without the hassle and inconvenience of a cord. It makes taking care of your vehicl ... read more