Orinda Auto Repair

Spring is here, and you know what that means….  It’s time to wash and detail your car!   Truthfully, springtime is a fine time to clean your vehicle. It’s the perfect time to get rid of that thin coat of yellow pollen, dead bugs on your windshield, and the grime accumulated from your daily commute.   However, did you know that if you Opti-Coat your vehicle, you can wash it less and still protect it better? Here’s a comparison of basic car wash services versus Opti-Coat detailing services so you can compare apples to apples.   Basic car wash found in the East Bay region: A typical basic car wash may include an interior vacuum, soft cloth wash, wheel clean, and dry. Prices range between $5 - $20.   Average time the car stays clean:  1 week   Mini Detail at Orinda Auto Detail: A mini detail includes exterior hand wash, rims cleaned, chamois dry, interior vacuum, cupholders cleaned, tires dressed.   Prices start ... read more

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

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

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

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