Northridge Auto Repair

With things starting to return to normal, summer road travel is expected to increase significantly this year compared to last year. 87% of Americans are expected to take a trip this summer, according to a survey administered by Destination Analysts, a travel market research company. It doesn't matter whether it is a trip within the state or across the country; people are thrilled to get out of their homes finally. More travel also means more traffic and ultimately more hazards. To avoid unnecessary stress, we've compiled a list of some popular tips to follow before embarking on your summer travels:    1) Do a deep clean on the outside and inside of your vehicle before leaving. It might be 2021, but it is never a bad idea to properly sanitize your car. Give extra attention to the most commonly touched places: steering wheel, dashboard, and buttons.    2) Conduct your research and plan ahead of time. Map out places to eat, where to stop for gas, and when to ... read more

After driving your vehicle for many years, you become in tune with your car. That means that anything unusual feel or function should indicate a problem with the car and acting fast to remedy the issue can prevent serious and costlier repairs. For example, when you notice that your car has an excess bounce, the problem can be attributed to various issues, from the power steering column to worn-out tires. Below, we discuss these causes and how you can troubleshoot the problem. Struts and Shocks Struts and shock absorbers play a key role in stabilizing the car on the road. That's why most technicians usually inspect these components when your car's excessive bouncing is causing handling and control issues. Worn-out struts cause the car to shake and bounce, resulting in a bumpy and low-quality ride, and replacing them asap prevents further damage and safety risks. Suspension A car's suspension system's role is to ensure that the tires are constantly in contact with the ... read more

The winter weather usually gets many people stuck indoors. When spring comes, the weather starts looking up; an excellent season to embark on that family vacation or road trip you dreamt of all winter. But is your car ready for the spring and summer seasons? If you have plans to drive more often in spring, here are five practical car care tips for spring. 1. Check the Oil and Oil Filter It would help if you observed oil and oil filter changes according to your car manufacturer's manual. It's one of the most affordable car maintenance services, which ensures excellent engine cleanliness and performance. Oil changes also ensure your engine achieves higher fuel economy and a longer lifespan. 2. Steering and Suspension Inspection The constant freeze-n-thaw cycles in winter lead to road damage, and potholes become a norm. Driving on such road conditions can significantly impact your vehicle's steering and suspension systems. That makes the car pull to one side and compromise ... read more

Your vehicle's belt and hoses play a major role when it comes to how smoothly the car runs. Like most drivers and car owners, you probably don't pay much attention to the belt system under the hood. However, the hoses and belts help in powering major vehicle systems, especially for heating and cooling. Suffice to say, preventive maintenance on your car's belts and hoses system can save you from untimely and costly repairs. Here are some of the belts and hoses you should pay attention to and exactly what you should focus on. Timing Belt This notched rubber belt helps to turn your vehicle's crankshaft and camshaft. The belt is crucial that the vehicle cannot run without it. If it breaks while you are on the road, you should pull over immediately and have a certified mechanic have a look. If left unattended, a minor fault in the timing belt could translate to major engine damage, which might be too costly to repair. As a rule of thumb, you should replace your timing belt ... read more

It's smart to put that parking brake on when you are situated on a hill for any length of time. You can protect your transmission from wear and tear by doing so. But when you come back from wherever you were and you try to head out, what if your parking brake is stuck and you can't get it to turn back off? Driving with it on is sometimes possible, but you can cause a lot of damage to your braking system. Avoid this issue and solve it before you take the vehicle on the road. Here are some causes of the parking brake sticking: Cold Weather If it's really cold out, ice can cause the brake to freeze into place. To help it thaw out, turn the car on and the engine can help to melt the ice away. You can gently rev the engine to heat things up as well and then after the car has warmed a bit, try to disengage the brake. Rust Brakes can become rusted or corroded over time and if that happens, the parking brake can definitely get stuck. It's ... read more