Orinda Auto Repair

Orinda Motors takes pride in restoring classic cars. Heck, that’s putting it lightly. We LOVE classic cars and we are deeply passionate about restoring them. To illustrate what we mean, here are the six reasons we go bananas -- in a good way -- when a client asks us to repair, restore, or maintain their old car.   1.   We appreciate the art form. Classic cars are works of art on wheels. The lines. The curves. The magnificence of the engine. The power. The engineering. The history. Each car was beautifully crafted, albeit on an assembly line, and they have become a major part in the fabric of American culture.   Classic cars are featured in movies, on television, in video games, and in songs. From the time we were babies, we were taught that cars are a piece of art that is both practical and an asset that defines you.   2.  Working on them is like meditation. Imagine going to your favorite place in the whole wide world. Now, imagine sitting i ... read more

How much do you know about tires? Do you feel pretty savvy, or do you leave it up to the experts to tell you what kind of tires your vehicle needs? Whatever your perspective on tires, the team at Express Oil Change & Tire Center are very knowledgeable about tires.   For many of our customers, tires are still a mystery. Most of them can recognize tire basics, such as a flat tire, a tire with worn tread, and a wobbly tire, but did you know these eleven things about our Tire Center?   We have a full service tire center located in the same place as our oil change and auto repair facilities.   We have 200 individual tires that will fit most vehicles. Special tires can often be ordered the same day or at least within one or two.   We can fill the tires with nitrogen to help fuel economy and extend the life of the tires.   We work on run flats, do tire repair when possible, and you don’t need an appointment.  However, you can make an appointmen ... read more

  With El Nino coming, it is smart to prepare your vehicles for winter storms and road conditions. Here are some ways you can be proactive and make sure you are not involved in a preventable breakdown.   Know Your Brakes Before an Emergency. If you are driving on snow-covered or wet roads, apply firm and even pressure with the ball of your foot on the brake pedal. This will prevent you from locking the brakes and skidding out of control. Avoid Hydroplaning and Slow Down. When the roads have oil slicks or are pooled with water, your chances of hydroplaning and losing traction with the road increases. To avoid dangerous hydroplaning conditions, reduce your speed and gently tap your brakes when you need to slow down so that your tires stay connected to the road. Have a Tire Kit Handy When Driving in Snow. The Lamorinda area clearly does not have to worry about snow, but if you travel to Lake Tahoe region to go skiing, be sure to have tire chains and the appropriate tools to ... read more

The holidays are coming! Do you need a rental car for yourself, a loved one, or a friend traveling to the East Bay? If a rental car would ease the travel stress of you or your visitors, our rentals start from only $29.99 per day!   We offer a wide variety of rentals in our fleet. From minivans and sedans to convertibles and compact cars, we have the wheels you need, AND we are affordable. Plus, we are conveniently located for anyone in Orinda, El Sobrante, Lafayette, Moraga, Oakland, and Walnut Creek.   In addition to being affordable and convenient, Orinda Auto Rental offers great service, too! If you land at SFO or OAK, you can take BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) to the Orinda station. If you make an appointment with Orinda Auto Rental, we will be happy to pick you up from the Orinda BART station and bring you to your awaiting auto rental. Open 7 days a week, Orinda Auto Rental offers local pickup and delivery service by request, free of charge.     One thing ... read more

Orinda Motors, Flying A Gasoline, Express Oil Change & Tire Center, Orinda Auto Detail, and Orinda Auto Rental were proud to participate in this year's 11th Annual Orinda Classic Car Show. We had a blast at the fundraising dinner, Dancing With The Cars, on Friday, September 11, 2015, followed by a fun-filled day with auto aficionados on Saturday, September 12, 2015. We hope you will enjoy the videos we made!  :-) 2015 Orinda Classic Car Show   Flying A Gasoline Presents: Orinda Classic Car Show 2015 If your vehicle requires repair or service, we hope you will come see us at Orinda Motors or Express Oil Change & Tire Center. When you need fuel or a car wash, visit us at Flying A Gasoline and Orinda Auto Detail. Lastly, when you need to rent a set of wheels at an affordable rate, view our fleet at Orinda Auto Rental. Whatever your automotive needs ... read more

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

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