Van Nuys Auto Repair & Service Center

Great News! The great customer service efforts of my sons and staff at AutoAid in serving the Automotive Repair and Body and Paint needs of our customers has earned us the coveted "People Love Us On Yelp" recognition. Thank you to all who made it possible. 

Test-driving a car before buying one is crucial, even if it is new. After all, no article, review or guide in the world can accurately convey what it feels like to interact with a vehicle in person. As such, your best bet is to visit a dealership and test-drive each potential purchase yourself. You can also use this opportunity to collect price quotes. Keep in mind that a test-drive is one of the last steps in the car buying process, which means that you should already have a good idea of the  ... read more

Well, it’s that time again: The kids will be heading back to school and I think that makes many parents very happy. Having four kids myself, I look forward to getting back into a regular routine once again. However, with an older son who now is heading to college, there are a few things that are different with him driving every day versus walking to school each day. If you’re a parent facing the same things, here are a few tips you may want to consider. First and foremost should be the safety of the vehicle. Since one of your own flesh and blood is making that daily commute to school, it’s a good time to have a maintenance check performed on the vehicle ... read more

The dog days of summer are here! As families try to make one last road trip before it's time to head back to school, we're sharing a few tips to make sure those adventures go off without a hitch... Unless, of course, you've got a trailer hooked to one!   #1) Start with a Tuneup: If you're taking an extended road trip, make sure your car is in tip-top shape. If it's almost time for a scheduled maintenance or oil change, make a visit to your trusted mechanic and get it done before your vacay to reduce the chance of breakdowns along the way. If you're a do-it-yourselfer, you should check and fill your fluids, including engine oil, radiator coolant, transmission fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and windshield washer fluid. Check the groun ... read more

Parents know that coaching a teenager on safe driving skills is vital. Their concern for their young drivers is more than just instinct – the numbers back it up. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the fatal crash rate per mile driven for 16- to 19-year-olds in the U.S. is nearly three times the rate for drivers ages 20 and older. And the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration says more than half of teens killed in crashes were not wearing seat belts. So, who is there to remind teenagers to buckle up when their parents aren’t around? How will they know when the radio is a distraction, or to slow down? While practice, awareness, education, and continued learning are the most important tools a parent can share with their ... read more

The car of one of my neighbors was burglarized recently, and the thieves stole a nice car stereo and back-seat DVD entertainment system. According to a report at CNN.com,  $1.25 billion in personal items and accessories are stolen from vehicles in about 1.8 million thefts each year. My neighbor had -- stupidly -- left his car unlocked. Did he have an alarm? Yep, but it wasn't activated, either. He mistakenly thought, because we live in a small, gated neighborhood, that his car was safe. Law enforcement officials say that finding unlocked cars is still the number one way thieves are getting in. Luckily, this form of theft can be easily prevented with a little common sense. Summer is here, and according to the NHTSA, July and August are the banner months for would-be theives. Pay at ... read more

Driving around with your baby should be fun. But it can be challenging for new mothers to figure out the best way to travel with a baby on board. There are enough challenges to parenting without stressing over getting your child from one place to another. Read on for tips to make driving with your baby on board a breeze.         Give Yourself Plenty of Time If you’re going on a longer trip, you’ll need extra time for stops to feed and change your baby, so be sure to factor this into your family t ... read more

The nose knows when something isn’t quite right: the Car Care Council shared this educational infographic which easily outlines six car smells that could mean trouble for your vehicle to help drivers sniff out when something may be wrong with their car. We all love basking in that “new car smell,” but there are other odors we should never ignore. Identifying these suspicious smells early on can help car owners avoid the hassle and expense of an unexpected breakdown, says the Car Care Council. The Car Care Council provides tips like these as part of its free “Be Car Care Aware” education campaign to consumers to help reinforce the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance, and repair. “When you smell any peculiar odor, you should not ignore it. Instead bring your vehicle to a professional service ... read more

Southern California is full of some of the best driving roads around. Whether you enjoy a spirited run in the canyons or a comfortable drive on the freeway, there’s no shortage of fun to be had in So. Cal. for car enthusiasts. These are some of the best destinations for quick road trips in Southern California. Schedule your travel times to avoid rush-hour traffic, and you can get to any of these places within just a few hours (depending on your starting point), making them perfect for day or weekend getaways!     Santa Barbara, Cal ... read more

The summer road trip is right up there with baseball and apple pie.  It’s an iconic American undertaking that’s been memorialized in countless movies and songs, but it also probably has special associations for each one of us who remembers family car trips or hitting the road with friends as soon as we had the freedom to drive. As we gear up for summer, many are planning their routes and checking their tires in preparation to head out on the open road.  What’s important to remember is that safety and fun go hand in hand, so use this list to help you get ready for the perfect summer road trip. Tune-Up & Tunes Safety Tip #1: Tune Up You should  ... read more