Orinda Auto Repair

Classic car enthusiasts, rejoice! The popular Orinda Classic Car Show is adjusting to the COVID-era and this is good news.    Prepare yourselves for some mobile fun by participating in The 2020 Orinda Classic Car Tour on September 12, 2020.    Isn’t this exciting news? If you want to enter your car in The 2020 Orinda Classic Car Tour, click here to register: https://www.orindacarshow.com/bring-your-classic-to-the-show/   Space is limited and we are only able to include the first 100 cars that register for this event. If you have questions, email [email protected]. Drivers/riders will arrive in their vehicles between 9:00 and 10:00 AM and depart by 10:30 AM. Passengers are welcome to join in. After the Tour everyone will return to the Orinda Village.   But wait, there’s more for Spectators, too! &n ... read more

  We are living in an unprecedented time, and for many of us, we are spending an ample amount of time indoors with our family. If you are struggling to find ways to keep your little ones occupied during shelter-in-place, the team at Orinda Motors is here to help with some fun and family-friend activities and games that the whole family can enjoy:    Watch zoo and aquarium live cams -- even though many of these zoos are closed down, you can still experience the wonders, albeit digitally and through a live cam: San Diego Zoo & Safari Park Live Cams, Monterey Bay Aquarium Live Web Cams, and Aquarium of the Pacific.   Grow a garden -- now is the perfect time to let your little one dig in the dirt and enjoy the process of growing a garde ... 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

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

Each year vehicle manufacturers release new safety features designed to keep you and your family safe. From automatic high beams to lane keep assist, the future is bright for automotive technology, and the team at Orinda Motors has captured the best and brightest safety features on the horizon for 2019.  Pre-Collision Systems: This safety system includes a forward-facing camera along with a radar that is engineered to alert the driver if the distance between their car and the vehicle ahead is closing too quickly.  Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB): If a collision is impending, your AEB system will automatically begin to brake, hopefully preventing you from crashing into another vehicle.  Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC): Working as cruise control should, maintaining your requested speed on an open road, ACC also goes a step further, adjusting your rate to match a vehicle ahead of you to keep a safe and healthy distance between your car and the other.  Lane Departur ... read more

Fog can occur at any time and anywhere, but the Bay Area is more prone to this pesky weather. And as fall progresses to winter, fog may even become more common. It becomes a serious and dangerous hazard on the roads, and our team at Orinda Motors put the safety of you, your family, and your vehicle above all else. Here are a few ways to combat the infamous fog that afflicts our area:  It may go without saying but make sure you slow down even if you know the road like the back of your hand.  Low-beams headlights and foglights are best for visibility.  Four-way flashers are an excellent way for other vehicles on the road to notice you, mainly when fog affects the visibility of your car.  If you can’t see any traffic, try listening for it. Just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean it’s not there, and fog is known to impact your vision negatively.  Keep your driving speed in line with your vision, reaction time, and stopping distance ... read more

Orinda Motors is a full-service, family-owned and team-operated auto repair facility in the heart of Orinda. We service and maintain all makes and models of vehicles, both new and old. We strive to be your one-stop solution for all things auto repair, from new car maintenance to classic car restoration.  At Orinda Motors, we make it our mission to be able to provide you with a stress-free, positive experience from the moment you walk through our doors. If you own a newer Honda Accord, for example, our technicians will provide thorough and accurate service. We also are able to service and repair your classic Ford Thunderbird. With us, you can expect to receive the best of both worlds: cutting-edge technology for the service and repair of both new and older cars.  Here are a few examples of the services we provide to vehicles of all ages (from vintage classics to brand new cars):  Scheduled Maintenance  Preventative Maintenance  Computer control Coolin ... read more

Sometimes, our car is known to make an unusual sound every so often, and it can be stressful when we hear our beloved vehicle whining around a turn or grumbling every time we start it. But most of our vehicles are going to make an unusual noise from time to time. The auto mechanics at Orinda Motors are excellent at deciphering what those noises mean, how we can fix the problem, and have you back on your way in no time. Here are some unusual car noises our technicians have experience troubleshooting and fixing:   A humming or groaning noise originating from your tires: If you are hearing something along the lines of hum or groan coming from your tires, it could indicate premature wear along the inside of your tires. This wear could expose the steel belts on the tires, which puts your tire at greater risk of falling apart. Growling when turning: Do you hear a growling noise coming from your vehicle? This noise could be an indication that your front wheel bearing is defective ... read more

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, so we imagine you are already planning the big day. However, we don’t want you to forget about your classic car. Let’s make sure to show your classic car some love this Valentine’s Day, and Orinda Classic Car Center is here to help give your vehicle so much needed TLC.   It doesn’t matter if your classic car or even truck needs complex engine work, authentic restoration, or auto detailing. We can handle virtually anything your vintage vehicle needs, as our team possess the experience and finesse to service your car with the precision and accuracy it needs. Just tell our team at Orinda Classic Car Center your dream for your classic car this Valentine’s Day, and we will figure out to turn your vision into reality. With us on your side, Valentine’s Day for your classic car will be a success.   At Orinda Classic Car Center, we aim to do whatever it takes to complete a project, whether that ... read more

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