Orinda Auto Repair

Summer is the season for car shows, and we are getting very excited about the upcoming 11th Annual Orinda Classic Car show. Orinda Motors is the co-founder and has been a proud sponsor from the very beginning, and we have lots of great things planned at this year’s event.   Friday, September 11, we will kick off the event with our “Dancing With The Cars” dinner party. This year’s theme will be a “Surf’s Up” Beach Party where we will have “Fun, fun, fun til her Daddy takes the T-Bird away”! So, wear your flip-flops, Hawaiian shirts, grass skirts, sarongs, or board shorts, and get ready to dance the night away. The menu features tropical cocktails, a sumptuous SoCal luau dinner, and an exclusive display of T-Birds, Cobras, and Woodies. The “Dancing With The Cars” party will be located at the Orinda Community Center and Library Plaza, starting at 6:00 PM ... read more

  When people look at oil change prices and see a wide range of low to high fees, they are often shocked.  Like cars, not all oil changes are created equal, for each vehicle has different oil requirements, and synthetic oils and specialty filters are often pricier than standard oils and conventional filters.   At Express Oil Change & Tire Center, we don’t use oil changes as a loss leader like other places do. We don’t cut corners or sacrifice anything, for we believe in doing the job right. Yes, that means that our oil change costs are a bit higher, but you know you’re getting quality products and high value from our team.   Some of these things we do differently at Express Oil Change & Tire Center are as follows: We use Chevron lubricants, and use nothing but factory approved filters. We follow everything by the factory book, specific to your vehicle. We provide visual and qualified inspections with a written report back appearing ... read more

How important is your vehicle’s suspension system, and how does it affect your tires? Well, the suspension system is critical not only for turning, stopping, and stability, but it also smooths out the ride each time you hit a pothole, speedbump, or an object in the road. Without a well-maintained suspension system, your vehicle may not be able to absorb the impact and maintain stability...and that’s dangerous.   Your vehicle’s suspension is comprised of joints, pivot points, and arms that allow your ride to be smooth over the roughest roads. For the most part, the parts of a suspension system include: Ball Joint Bushings Sway Bar Tie Rod Tie Rod End Control Arm Struts Tire Cupping   Eventually, all suspension systems show wear and tear, but there are signs you can look for to make sure your suspension system is healthy and performing well. The easiest way to determine if your suspension system needs service, repair, or replacement is to look at th ... read more

  Many of our customers love our rewards card because they know they are earning discounts on future services with every dollar they spend at Orinda Motors, Express Oil Change & Tire Center, Orinda Auto Detail, and Orinda Auto Rental. Every time you use your Rewards Card, it pays to shop at Orinda Motors!   Here is what you get when you use your Orinda Motors Customer Rewards Card:   3% of each repair bill from Orinda Motors or Express Oil Change and Tire Center goes into a special fund to be used as a discount for future services. Discounts earned from the Rewards Card may be redeemed at Orinda Motors, Express Oil Change & Tire Center or Orinda Auto Detail. You can login and check your Rewards Card balance any time on our web site.   This Independence Day, July 4th, we had a terrific time with our family of Orinda Motors customers. As sponsors of t ... read more

Orinda, CA:  National Tire Safety Week is coming up, May 24 - 30, 2015. This is an annual event sponsored by the Rubber Manufacturer’s Association to improve safety out on the road. Here are some helpful safety tips offered by the RMA:   Check your tires with a penny to see if the tire tread is thick enough. If the tire tread does not cover Lincoln’s head, it’s time to replace your tires. Not only can the proper tire pressure save you money on gas, but tire pressure maintenance can extend tire life. To make certain your tire pressure is correct, check your Owner’s  Manual for the optimal air pressure range. You could be flushing money down the drain by under inflating your tires, making them wear out faster. Again, check your Owner's’ Manual for the recommended air pressure. There are several benefits to using nitrogen for tire inflation, which include increased fuel economy, longer tire life, and increased safety.   To celebr ... read more

Orinda Motors has had a long love affair with classic cars, and the communities within Lamorinda know it well. From our smaller Classic Car Show that is par of the Orinda Association 4th of July Parade, to the large Orinda Annual Classic Car Show in September, Orinda Motors loves to show off the Classic Cars we service, repair, and maintain.   But what drives us?   Is it because these classic cars remind us of our younger years? Yes. Is it because they don’t make them like they used to? Yes. Is it because we love the camaraderie of the Classic Car community? Yes. Is it because our obsession over Classic Cars feeds our love for investing, art & design, nostalgia, and therapy? Yes, yes, yes, and yes!   Lucky for us, we know we are in good company.   According to Allen Pennebaker, the owner of Orinda Motors, “We have been fully engaged in the classic car service and repair business for 15 years. Orinda Motors Service Manager, John Vanek, wa ... read more

When your Check Engine Light comes on, what should you do? Should you panic? Should you ignore it? Here’s a look at why your Check Engine Light may come on and why you need to bring your vehicle in for service soon after it becomes illuminated. When the Check Engine Light comes on and holds steady, it means there is likely a minor malfunction going on within the engine system. Fortunately, many vehicles are built with sophisticated computer sensors that are sensitive enough to alert the driver of minor issues before they become major ones. From a loose gas cap to a part that needs to be replaced, the Check Engine Light will come on if any of these issues are detected by your vehicle’s sensors.   The Check Engine Light notifies the driver of issues that need to be resolved, but how serious can the problem be? Is a steadily illuminated Check Engine Light minor or major? Honestly, it’s hard to say without looking at the diagnostics. Your vehicle is equipped with ... read more

So, you bought a new car. Congratulations! Whether it’s a brand new car or a “new” used car, chances are good that it comes with a factory warranty. Factory warranties are great because if you have any trouble with your vehicle, you can take it to the dealership and, depending on what the issue is, they will fix it at no cost to you. However, there are various items not covered by your vehicle’s factory warranty, such as wear and maintenance items like these: Tires Oil Change Filters Fluids Brake Linings, Rotors, and Drums Clutch Linings Belts Hoses Wiper Blades So, if your vehicle needs an oil change and you know they won’t do it for free at the dealership, what are your options? Well, you can always take it to Orinda Motors or a similar, highly-rated auto repair facility. For non-warranty items, there is no problem in taking your vehicle to an independent dealership alternative like us. However, what happens if you take your warranteed vehicle in for minor or major service ... read more

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