Orinda Auto Repair

Fog can occur at any time of year, but it tends to run rampant at the beginning of each season, especially in fall and winter. The Bay Area is particularly susceptible to fog, and highways can become especially dangerous during the transition from summer to fall and fall to winter. For many of us, we have become used to the summer rays of sunshine, and the onslaught of fall fog can take us by surprise. Here are some safety tips for driving in the Bay Area fog:  Slow down! Even if you know the road, other drivers may not.  For maximum visibility, use your fog lights and low-beam headlights, even in daytime fog. You need to see, and other drivers need to see you. Make sure to never use your high-beams in the fog.  Keep your eye out for vehicles parked on the side of the road, especially if you are using the headlights and taillights of other cars as your guidelines.  Speaking of guidelines, it is wise to use the reflective markers in the road as a guide to indicat ... read more

An owner’s love for their classic car usually runs deep, as they’ve grown attached to their vehicles. They appreciate the more nuanced features and appearance of their classic car, holding their vintage vehicle close to their heart. At Orinda Classic Car Center, we understand this attachment. We have helped restore and service vintage vehicles fulfilling many of our clients’ dream of owning a classic car.  Here is what it is a sneak peek of what it is like owning a classic car:  Classic cars have a complete style of their own. When you are driving your classic car, you will feel yourself completely, as your vintage vehicle is practically an extension of yourself. Classic cars are an expression of yourself.    Expect to receive attention. People will ask numerous questions about your classic car, so be ready to answer their questions and bask in the glow of your vintage vehicle. Your classic car will be the subject of drooling. Owning a classic ... read more

  Summer is coming to a close, which means that school is quickly approaching. For many of our customers, they are sending their teen drivers off to college. As nerve-wracking as this sounds, the process can go much smoother, especially if you know your college student will be driving in a safe and reliable vehicle. We have put together a list of the best new cars for your college students:  Toyota Corolla: A Toyota Corolla is a classic first car, complete with safety features and an economical price.  Honda Fit: The Honda Fit is small, but mighty, as it is a quite roomy Japanese vehicle that gets excellent gas mileage.  Toyota Prius V: This car is a little bigger than the average Prius, but all the safety features and  economical advantages are still there.  Subaru Crosstreks: Subaru Crosstreks are a fun, outdoorsy, and safe vehicle for school and college students, as they are complete with cool colors and state-of-the-art safety features.  Hyun ... read more

The Fourth of July is one of our favorite holidays. We get to celebrate how our country came to be and what we stand for -- independence, bravery, and freedom. Luckily for us, Orinda hosts one of the best Independence Day celebrations in the East Bay. That is why Orinda Motors has proudly been a sponsor for Orinda’s Fourth of July Parade for many years. But if you cannot join us in Orinda for the city-wide Independence Day celebration, we are fortunate that other parts of the Bay Area is home to some spectacular fireworks. However, it can be a challenge finding the best spot to view these fireworks, especially if we are making the drive to busy San Francisco.  Here are some secret spots for viewing Fourth of July fireworks in the Bay Area:  San Francisco Art Institute: You can watch the fireworks from the roof terrace of this institute. Beforehand, you can meander through the halls, enjoying all the Diego Rivera murals.  Alta Plaza Park: If you have any little ... read more

Orinda Motors has proudly served the Lamorinda area since the 1920s, and we know a thing or two about how to keep your car cool during the Summer months. That is why were inspired to share the top five ways you can stay cool this Summer.   Schedule an appointment for your vehicle’s air conditioning service. Let’s first start with the obvious. If you want to stay cool while driving your car, you should bring your vehicle in for air conditioning system service at Orinda Motors. As a Bay Area Green Business, we take the extra cautionary steps to protect the environment when we perform air conditioning service for motor vehicles. In fact, California is known for its strict emissions requirements, so we follow the EPA regulations regarding refrigerant, service certifications, and recycling. Because we love our planet and want to do our best to protect it, we encourage our clients to maintain their vehicle’s air ... read more

Summer is just around the corner, which means many of us are beginning to think of our summer plans. If you believe a road trip is in the running for a family vacation, we recommend bringing your vehicle to Orinda Motors for a thorough inspection. We recognize that when planning for a road trip, you have plenty to worry about, from packing and organizing your vehicle to deciding your route. Leave the safety and driveability of your vehicle to us.  When you bring your car, regardless of the make, model, or year, our technicians will perform a thorough inspection, focusing on these specific items, while still examining other components on your car:  Fluids -- oil, coolant and other fluids.  Lights.  Wheels and tires.  Brake pads.  Brakes and clutch.  Drive belts.  Spare tire (Better safe than sorry -- it’s always good to have a spare handy).  Steering System. Check for any leaks.  Windshield wipers. If we believe somethin ... read more

Photo by Jared Belson It may be surprising to hear that mice, rats, and other furry creatures are slipping under your vehicle and into your engine. We typically think of a rodent’s natural habitat as being a woodland or forest area, not the engine compartment of our car. However, your engine is, in fact, the ideal place for a rodent: dark, warm, and secure. Fortunately, our team at Orinda Motors knows how to deal with these four-legged terrorists.  For these rodents, it may seem like the perfect new home, but everything changes when you put the key into the ignition, and these critters are in for an unpleasant surprise. Not only does this spell trouble for these rodents, but it could also harm your engine. The rats move quickly too. In less than twenty-four hour ... read more

  Spring is officially here, which means it is the perfect time to erase all the damage winter has caused to your vehicle, both inside and out. Orinda Motors has a few tips and tricks to ensure your car gets a deep down cleaning.  Clean out and organize all your compartments: When you are in a hurry to get in and out of your vehicle during the winter chill, you may notice debris, trash, and crumbs have accumulated in all the compartments of your car. Make sure to clean them out and to organize any other objects.  Wipe down and wash your consoles: Your consoles and cup holders can get very dirty. We also recommend wiping down any electrical components such as your radio, but be careful not to get them wet. You can also use a slightly damp cloth to wipe down your dashboard.  Don’t forget about your windows. During the winter, your vehicle takes a beating from the harsh elements. Using a window cleaner, clean your windows inside and out. You can shine them up ... read more

It’s easy to make resolutions for ourselves and our family, but what about for our car and driving? We drive somewhere every day, either to make it to that morning meeting or to drop your daughter off at the soccer game, so why not think of some New Year’s resolutions for better driving? Not sure where to start? We have a few suggestions:   Of course, it goes without saying: never drink and drive, and also don’t drive while under the influence of medications either. Put your cellphone down. It’s so tempting to pick your cell and reply to that text message but refrain from doing so. Studies have shown that the results of texting and driving are the same as driving drunk. Yikes! Make sure to signal! For many us, we think we have outgrown signaling for safety, but that’s not true. Many, many accidents could have been prevented by signaling. Come to a complete stop at the stop sign. Rolling through stop signs not only can get you a ticket but can ... read more

Overall, cold weather affects your vehicle’s fuel economy, as it takes longer for your engine to reach a fuel-efficient temperature. Warming up your vehicle for your engine to reach that ideal temperature also lowers your fuel economy. However, there are a few tips and tricks you could do to combat the effects of the cold weather on your fuel economy:  Try to park your car in the warmest place, so you can increase the initial temperature of both your engine and cabin.  Only let your vehicle idle for 30 seconds and then gently drive away.  If you can, combine your trips. It will be easier on both your wallet and engine.  If you have accessories that could increase wind resistance, such as roof racks, remove them.  Seat warmers and defrosters definitely keep you warm but try to minimize your use of them, if possible.  Check your tire pressure, not only for better fuel economy but for safety too.  Any extra weight in your vehicle? Do you hav ... read more