Orinda Auto Repair

Photo by Parvez AzarQaderi on Unsplash But how do you know when? Each component of your vehicle has a vital role, including your timing belt. Your engine is full of various pieces and parts, and each of these components will need to be replaced eventually. Before we begin answering this question, we will first discuss what exactly is a timing belt, and why it matters to your vehicle’s overall condition. You can always check with our auto repair team at Orinda Motors to see if your vehicle is equipped with a timing belt or a timing chain. Your timing belt is a toothed belt composed of reinforced rubber that wraps around pulleys and tensioners. Your engine’s crankshaft pulley drives the timing belt. Your timing belt provides rota ... read more

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

Getting your first car is a rite of passage. For many of us, our vehicles equal freedom, and having our vehicles gives us the freedom to go anywhere or do anything seemingly. If your son or daughter is getting a car for the first time, it is primarily their first step into adulthood. As the saying goes, “with great power comes great responsibility,” owning a vehicle for the first time shouldn’t be taken lightly, as there are things all car owners should know and be aware of.  Here are the top 5 things every first-time car owner should know:  Engine Oil: Your engine oil is imperative to your vehicle’s overall health. Not only does it ensure proper combustion, but it also helps lubricate, cool, and clean your engine. It is essential to stay on top of your vehicle’s oil changes.  Spare Tire: Some cars will come with a spare tire. However, it depends on the make and model whether your vehicle has a spare tire. If you are a first-time car owne ... 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

Sometimes, your vehicle will give you warning signs. When your vehicle tries to tell you something, it is best to pay attention. At first, it can be a struggle to figure out what your vehicle is saying -- it is a completely foreign language! Fortunately, the team at Orinda Motors can act as your interpreter. Here are 5 auto repair-related red flags you should not ignore:  If your car’s temperature gauge has a constant and slow fluctuation after warming-up, this may be an indication that air is getting into your engine’s cooling system. Your temperature gauge should only ebb and flow after a few minutes of driving. Temperatures gauge can accurately report your coolant temperature, but they can not read air temperature.  If you notice your headlights flickering at night, it may mean that your headlights are about to go dark, caused by a broken or loose headlamp mount. If the flickering occurs when you are driving on a bumpy road, it could mean that you have a brok ... read more

Happy New Year’s from the team at Orinda Motors! We wish you and your vehicle a safe, happy, and healthy New Year’s! To make sure 2020 and the next decade is as safe as can be, we think an appropriate New Year’s resolution would be to eliminate driver distractions. We are here to help make sure this resolution comes to fruition. Your vehicle and other drivers on the road will thank you!  Here are some easy ways you can eliminate driver distractions:  Out of sight, out of mind! Put your phone away, and use it only for emergencies. No, an emergency does not include changing the song or texting your friend back. If you need to use your phone for an emergency, pull over.  If you are feeling drowsy, don’t hesitate to pull over and take a break. If you drive drowsy, you are four times more likely to get into a crash. Thirty-seven percent of all crashes are caused by drowsy driving.  Try to limit the number of passengers in your vehicle, if poss ... read more

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

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