Berkeley Auto Repair

Car movies can be fun, thrilling, and sometimes even informative. Hollywood loves to feature a fantastic race or an action-packed car chase. We have created a list of the best car movies to watch this summer in various genres. If you are not sure what to watch on your next movie night, you've come to the right place.   DRAMA - Ford v Ferrari  Ford v Ferrari is a relatively new Hollywood film with a talented cast that features Christian Bale and Matt Damon. This movie is based on a true story following Ken Miles, a racer in Le Mans. This movie is a tale of how Ford debut at the famous race and how the great American company beat Ferrari's finest car at the time.   ACTION/ADVENTURE - The Fast and the Furious The release of the first Fast and Furious marked the start of an era for twenty years full of movies to follow. This franchise is full of jaw-dropping action, thrilling races, and insane stunt performance. Fast and Furious remains to be one of the most ic ... read more

  Did you know that new brakes may be needed in as few as 20,000 miles or as long as 70,000 miles? Brakes wear down at different rates based on road conditions, usage, driver habits, and the type of vehicle you have. Some vehicles give audio and visual warnings (such as a brake light) when your vehicle needs new brakes. You need to look out for these changes when you are slowing down or coming to a complete stop.  1. Responsiveness Issues  Suppose you notice that your brakes are slower to respond, or if the brake pedal feels loose, you will definitely need to get them checked out. This problem, most of the time, coincides with the vehicle’s brake lines.  2. Grinding Sounds  A grinding metal sound that erupts when you come to a stop is a sign that it is time for new brakes. This sound comes from tiny metal ridges on the bottom of the brake pad to alert the driver that the brakes have worn down. As soon as you hear this sound, take your vehicle to our ... read more

So, you are enjoying a beautiful ride on the freeway, and then a warning light suddenly illuminates the dashboard. Mostly, these lights are accompanied by a beep and a sinking sensation in your stomach, probably because you are not sure what the light means or what you are supposed to do. Your vehicle's dashboard lights have numerous symbols which light up every time you hit the start key but go off almost immediately. So what do you do when one remains, on-and what does it mean? In that case, you must get your car checked out, even when it feels totally fine to drive. Most Common Car Warning Lights Engine Temperature Warning Light This symbol is a red flag for an overheating engine. It mostly indicates an issue with the engine coolant (antifreeze), among other problems. It would be best to drop by an auto repair shop immediately after this symbol pops up to avoid further serious damages. Tire Pressure Warning Light The TPMS warns you when your tire is under or over-inflated ... read more

You hit a curb and the next thing you know, your vehicle isn't driving straight! More than likely, your vehicle has fallen out of alignment and will need to be realigned. A car that is out of alignment can be difficult to control, making it dangerous to drive. In addition to your car being hard to drive, it will go through tires faster than a vehicle that is aligned correctly. Here are 5 signs that it's time for a wheel alignment. Steering Wheel is Off-Centered While you are driving on a level, straight road, your vehicle's steering wheel should be centered and level. If you notice that your steering wheel is tilted in one direction, it is a sign that your vehicle needs an alignment. Steering Wheel Isn't Returning to the Center After you are done turning, your steering wheel should return back to the center on its own. If your steering wheel doesn't try to return to the center, your car may need to be aligned. Vehicle Pulls in a Certain Direction While Drivin ... read more

Whenever you start your vehicle, the engine heats up progressively, and it might get to extreme temperatures. Each vehicle is thus fit with a cooling system to prevent overheating and other engine troubles. The heating system functions in removing the excess heat from the engine. It also maintains an optimum operating temperature inside the vehicle and restores the right temperature to the engine. The cooling system is thus crucial to ensure a safe ride and prevent damage to essential car components. The cooling system is a composition of the; Radiator Fan Thermostat Water pump Freeze plug among other components Malfunctioning of any parts causes significant danger to the engine. It is easy to detect possible trouble with the cooling system. Some signs that indicate a failing cooling system include; Smoke from Underneath the Hood If you notice smoke emission from underneath the car hood, consider pulling over and check the vehicle first. You can add coolant or water to get the ... read more

There are thieves everywhere… in terms of vehicle theft, there are many reports that happen every day. Most people assume vehicular theft will consist of windows being broken and items are stolen from inside. However, there are instances where a part of the car is taken as well. The catalytic converter is quickly becoming one of the most popular parts of a car that is stolen. It has increased dramatically just in the last year and is becoming an issue for many in the Berkeley area. This may be since it is easily accessible to thieves, and it's a part that will be profitable for them. The catalytic converter of your vehicle is what turns dangerous pollutants into harmless gases. It aids with the exhaust system and can be found near your engine's exhaust manifold. Usually, it's very easy for you to see the catalytic converter from underneath your vehicle. Knowing that catalytic converters are a part that thieves go for all the time, there are things that yo ... read more

How long can your motor oil stay in the engine before you have to change it? Well, the oil mostly comes with a five-year shelf life. All the same, if your oil container indicates a shelf-life less than five years, you should work with the printed dates. After the longevity period is over, it is most likely that the synthetic additives in the oil will no longer be efficient. As such, you should ensure that you properly dispose your oil after it has surpassed the dates printed on the container. Does Motor Oil Degrade Over Time? A short answer to this question is yes. Motor oil can only last for a certain period of time. That's why it comes with an expiry date. For this reason, oil goes bad with time just by sitting in the engine. Over time, it becomes less viscous thus less efficient in maintaining proper lubrication between moving components. Your motor oil might eventually break down depending on the oil type and the additives contained in the lubricant. Besides, there are water ... read more

Your car is perhaps one of the most valuable items you will ever own. But like any other machine, a car is subject to wear and tear, and it will at some point need repairs. However, a lot of expensive repairs can be avoided or at least postponed through regular maintenance. In other words, by taking good care of your car you can prolong its life and that of its parts and consequently make significant savings. Below is a rundown of some tips that you can trust to keep your vehicle in its best shape. Clean Your Car Regularly Most people do clean their cars on a regular basis. However, there is more to cleaning a car than just making the exterior shine and vacuuming the interior. You drive through all kinds of roads and streets, and therefore, your car encounters all kinds of unsavory things, ranging from winter salt to road grime. As such, when washing your car, you need to hose off its underside to get rid of these potentially harmful substances. Change Oil Oil is like your car ... read more

Your vehicle will not be completely safe or drivable without healthy, properly functioning brakes. A malfunctioning brake system can indicate a major brake leak. There are four components within the braking system where a brake leak can occur. If you suspect a brake leak, it may be inside the brake line, the front brake caliper, the rear brake caliper, or the brake master center. To help you identify whether your brake system is suffering from a leak, below are a few common signs to look out for.  There’s visible brake fluid seeping out. Check underneath your vehicle near the wheels and see if you notice any leaked fluid. Brake fluid will be the consistency and color of vegetable oil. If you suspect brake fluid is seeping out, pop the hood and check the brake fluid level. If the fluid is much lower than it should be, bring your vehicle to one of our technicians immediately. The lower the brake fluid, the more dangerous the drive, and merely topp ... read more

In case you missed the news, there have been widespread thefts of catalytic converters around the Bay Area for the last two years or so. This is tied directly to the high prices for the metals used in building catalytic converters – it really pays to steal them, and thieves do. Berkeley, with its huge number of Prius vehicles is especially hard hit – Prius Gen 2 and Honda Element are the most likely targets. Sadly, it takes only a few minutes to cut out a catalytic converter, and leave your vehicle with a very expensive repair. If you own a Prius or Honda Element, we recommend keeping it in a garage at night. At Oceanworks we offer installation of a protective stainless steel cage to discourage thieves from attempting to steal the catalytic converter. It is light, durable, and can be removed to service exhaust components located in that area. Naturally, we also offer catalytic converter replacement – whether it was stolen, or simply failed. You can read more on ou ... read more