Orinda Auto Repair

  Back-to-school season is officially here, which means running around to get school supplies, new clothes, and the list seems to go on and on. Amidst this busy time, it can be easy to forget about your reliable car. The team at Orinda Motors is here to remind you about ten car repairs you should have checked regularly:   Oil: Your car’s oil keeps everything running smoothly, and it doesn’t have the right level of oil, your car simply won’t run right. Tire Pressure: Nowadays, many cars are equipped with a TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System), which will alert you if something isn’t right with your tire pressure. Since this system monitors our tires, it is important to have it checked out by a professional. Brakes: Please don’t wait until you hear a screeching noise when you step on the brakes. Having your brakes regularly inspected by a professional is necessary for your, your family’s, and your vehicle’s safety. Power Ste ... read more

Summer is officially here, which means it is time for some summer fun. Because we live in such a beautiful area, a summer road trip is an excellent way to pass the time with your family. When it comes to the safety of you, your passengers, and your car, we think it is always better to be safe than sorry. Before you embark on your summer road trip, we recommend thoroughly preparing your car.   Let’s make sure your car is prepared for your summer adventure. One of the first tasks we recommend is scheduling an appointment for a checkup at Orinda Motors. Our team will thoroughly inspect your car for signs of impending or current problems, along with performing basic maintenance, such as topping off fluids and taking a look at your headlights. Along with a comprehensive inspection, we recommend browsing through our checklist we have put together:   Be prepared for everything and anything. Pack an emergency kit, in the case of a medical emergency or accident. It would b ... read more

If your car has started to look dull, or if you have noticed any damage to the paint or the interior, it most likely is time for a detailing. However, the team at Orinda Auto Detail recommends being proactive, meaning don’t wait until your car is in desperate need of detailing. Stay a step ahead. Now, you may be asking: how often should I detail your car? Keep reading for the answer.   Detailing is the process of carefully and thoroughly cleaning both the exterior and interior of your car. At Orinda Auto Detail, our methods for washing, polishing, interior cleaning, conditioning, and full paint correction are down to a science. We use the highest quality of products, including Opti-Coat Pro. In fact, these products are the gold standard in the detailing industry. Many people believe once their vehicle is sealed with Opti-Coat, you don’t have to wash it for months, which is not true. Your best bet is to wash your vehicle every 3 weeks after it has been sealed. &nbs ... read more

Spring is officially here, and we absolutely enjoy seeing the shining sun, blooming flowers, and the budding trees. Spring is definitely a welcome relief from winter weather. However, we have to be wary of spring showers. April is known for the downpour of rain. In fact, the popular saying “April showers bring May flowers” is practically ingrained in our mind. In order to prepare for Mother Nature’s downpour, we need to make sure your windshield wipers are working in tip-top shape.   Rain results in decreased visibility, a slippery road, and overall, disconcerting driving conditions. Your vehicle’s windshield wipers are your first line of defense against the rain, so we have to make sure they are properly performing. If your windshield wipers are in need of replacement, you will experience any one of the following symptoms:   The rubber on your windshield wiper blades is cracked or broken. Your windshield wipers are leaving behind streaks. Wh ... read more

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Do you know what you are getting for the car lover in your life? To help answer that question, we have compiled a list of the perfect gifts to get your car enthusiast:   Air Vent Cell Phone Holder: Nowadays, we use our phones for just about everything, including GPS. With a cell phone holder mounted to the car vent, you are able to easily follow the GPS directions, while keeping your eyes safely locked on the road.​ Personalized Garage Sign: If your car lover loves to spend time in the garage, then a personalized sign for their garage is absolutely perfect. Whether that says their name or even car model, it is an excellent addition to any car lover’s garage. Automatic Cordless Tire Inflator: We all know that properly fueled tires have numerous benefits, including better fuel efficiency and a smoother ride. This tire inflator is ready to go without the hassle and inconvenience of a cord. It makes taking care of your vehicl ... read more

With winter upon us, you may be wondering which type of tires is right for you. Most likely, you are struggling to decide between all season or winter tires. The team at Orinda Motors is here to help. After reading this, we hope you will be able to decide between all-season and winter tires.   Winter roads are dangerous, to say the least. You can experience black ice and heavy snowfall all in one trip. As you can imagine, ensuring your vehicle is outfitted with the right tire is essential. Winter tires are armored with certain weapons against wintry roads, including:   Flexible tread rubber, which is designed to allow your vehicle to grip the road better. Thicker tread depths, which reduce the buildup of snow in your tires. Biting edges, similar to small slits, which provide traction when driving on the ice. When your car leaves the factory, it is typically outfitted with all season tires. All season tires are both durable and versatile. You can drive in several wea ... read more

Orinda Auto Detail is one of the leading auto detailing services in the SF East Bay region. From Oakland to Walnut Creek, and from Alamo to Martinez, Orinda Auto Detail has developed a solid reputation for excellent detailing and great customer service.   But who typically orders auto detailing? It depends.   Some of our detailing clients want a simple and quick interior / exterior detail to clean up their car after several years of accumulated dust and food crumbs. Some of our detailing clients recently purchased brand new Teslas that are known to have “soft paint” that is environmentally friendly. These Tesla owners want to protect that paint so it looks terrific for a long time. Other detailing clients drive classic cars that have been lovingly restored and they want our detailing services to make their vehicles look car-show-ready.   Whatever your reason, here are the 5 top reasons to detail your vehicle:   Interior detailing removes bacter ... read more

Tires are often neglected and overlooked by the people who drive on them every day. A daily visual inspection is ideal to make sure the tires are in good shape. But in today’s busy world, most people don’t pay that close attention to their tires until the following happens:   The car sensors detect that tire pressure is low. The driver “feels” something going on with the tires or how the car is not driving smoothly. The steering wheel pulls to the left or the right. A loud pop or explosion is heard while driving (Not good!). Another driver is desperately trying to get your attention and point out that your tires are dangerously low.   So the question is:  Do your tires pass the safety test?   First, let’s establish what is “safe”. Safety can mean several things, such as:   Safe level of tire tread: You have more that 2/32 of an inch of tread depth remaining. This means your probably don’t need new tires ... read more

I have noticed that different drivers have different ideas about what “car maintenance” really means. It is indeed very important to change your engine oil regularly. This is a good reason while your engine will last longer and overall be more reliable. A large percentage of owners understand this and make a point to make the oil change ritual a priority. Others struggle with this concept. Failing to change your oil regularly will cost you more in the long run. Others struggle with the concept of maintenance beyond the standard oil change. Many folks consider an oil change as taking care of the car's maintenance, but it is not true. Let's start with the definition of maintenance: “The process of maintaining or preserving someone or something, or the state of being maintained.” There is a process when it comes automotive maintenance, and it starts with the owners manual in your glove box. The manufacturer of your vehicle has recommendations for the up-ke ... read more

When traveling to the Bay Area, many people who don’t have a car will either use Uber, taxi service or rent a car. Uber and taxi services are great, if you only need a short ride to and from the airport, for example. However, Uber and taxi rides can get pricey if you need frequent rides. Fortunately, Orinda Auto Rentals has the solution for anyone visiting the Lamorinda area.   First, let’s start by looking at the top five reasons to rent a car:   You are a visitor to the Bay Area who flew in, and you want the freedom of movement that goes along with having your own car. You are moving furniture or large cargo that will not fit into your own small vehicle, so you rent a truck or van. You want to transport a group of people in one vehicle, like a van, so you can all travel together and only require one parking space. You want to take your sweetheart on a date or a weekend getaway in a nice car, like a convertible. Your vehicle is currently in the auto repai ... read more