Orinda Auto Repair

Just like everything else it seems like auto repair cost is higher than it used to be. Of course today’s vehicles are more complex than they used to be requiring additional training and more sophisticated equipment. It is very frustrating when your vehicle develops a problem that you are not ready for. What is first thing that comes to mind? How much is this auto repair going to cost now? Well that is a good question. Usually the answer can only be found after it is properly checked out. Many motorists are surprised that there is a fee to check out a problem on a vehicle. In some cases it may be obvious what your car needs. What if it isn’t obvious? How does that work? When a vehicle has some kind of problem there are two steps to fixing it. First it must be properly diagnosed to determine the required repair to solve the problem. In most cases there is a component that needs to be replaced. The second step is to make the ... read more

The real question is, who is responsible for the maintenance and repairs to your car, truck or SUV?  It starts with the owner operator but also includes the driver/operator that may not be the owner. The actual auto repair and car maintenance comes down to your car care provider. However it is the responsibility of the owner to keep track of the maintenance required for the vehicle. One you have researched and selected a car care provider you can use that facility consistently for your car care. Sticking with one shop will help eliminate confusion regarding the repair and maintenance history. This is the trusty shop that can help you figure out what maintenance intervals are required and is there to help when you have a problem. The owner/operator is the person that pays attention to the maintenance and auto repair intervals as described in you owner’s manual. When is the oil change due? When are the spark plugs due for replacement? When i ... read more

By keeping your car for 15 years, or 225,000 miles of driving, you could save money, nearly $31,000, according to Consumer Reports magazine. That’s compared to the cost of buying an identical model every five years, which is roughly the rate at which most car owners trade in their vehicles. In its annual national auto survey, the magazine found6,769 readers who had logged more than 200,000 miles on their cars. Their cars included a 1990 Lexus LS400 with 332,000 miles and a 1994 Ford Ranger pick-up that had gone 488,000 miles. Calculating the costs involved in buying a new Honda Civic EX every five years for 15 years – including depreciation, taxes, fees and insurance – the magazine estimated it would cost $20,500 more than it would have cost to maintain one car for the same period. Added to that, the magazine factored in $10,300 in interest that could have been earned ... read more