Van Nuys Auto Repair & Service Center

About 90% of our Van Nuys CA driving decisions are based solely on what we see. So having a good pair of windshield wipers is extremely important. Everyone in Van Nuys CA has experienced the frustration and fear of not being able to see clearly during a storm, or when our windshield is just dirty. In fact, it’s estimated that 46,000,000 motorists from Los Angeles and across the nation are driving with wipers that can’t adequately clear their windshield in a storm. It seems like your wiper blades are always at their worst when you need them the most. If that sounds like you, you’ve got plenty of company in the Los Angeles area. 78% of drivers only change their wiper blades after the blades function so poorly that they become a safety hazard. We need to change our thinking. Instead of blades being something to replace when they fail, we need to consider wiper blades as an i ... read more

No one near Van Nuys, CA likes high fuel prices. But if one good thing has come about, it’s that people are really focused on how to reduce their fuel consumption. North Americans literally drive billions of miles less each month during times of high fuel prices. But we still need to drive, so it makes sense to try and increase our fuel economy however we can. Let’s look at a real life example of one of our AutoNetTV producers. He has one of those really big SUVs. Lots of kids and horses to haul around, you know. His family was planning a four day camping trip. Here’s what he did to cut his fuel costs: First, he installed a new, high flow engine air filter. Then he had his service center change his oil, flush his cooling system and service his front and rear differentials along with the transfer case. He also had a fuel system cleaning ... read more

One Van Nuys automotive service issue that doesn't get much attention is driveline service. Drivelines don't get talked about very much around Van Nuys, but they're very important. First let's define what the driveline is: Taking a small step back, the power plant is comprised of the engine and transmission. The driveline starts there and includes all of the components that transfer power from the transmission to the wheels. That's not really a lot of components, but they handle the full force of the engine. Without the driveline you're not moving. So we need to take good care of it. The driveline components differ depending on whether your vehicle has front wheel drive, rear wheel drive, all wheel drive or four wheel drive. For purposes of our discussion, we're going to have to over simplify a bit. Let's start with front wheel drive. The point where the tr ... read more

Every car in Van Nuys CA is at risk for theft. So it's up to us to make our cars a less appealing target and more of a challenge – hopefully sending potential thieves to look elsewhere. The National Insurance Crime Bureau recommends a layered approach to protecting vehicles: Common sense Visible and audible devices Immobilizing devices Tracking devices Let's review each of these. First, common sense: you would be surprised how many vehicles are stolen from Van Nuys CA where the keys were left in the ignition with the doors unlocked. Always take your keys, and lock the doors. In fact, in some places it's against the law to leave a vehicle unattended with the keys in the ignition. And don't leave spare keys in the car or hide them outside – because a thief will find them. Try to park in well-lit areas that have a lot of foot traffic. If possible, park near the end of a row and near a ligh ... read more

People in Van Nuys CA often ask the question: "Will using premium gas make my car run better?" The answer is simple. But first, let's talk about what exactly premium gasoline is. Different grades of gasoline have different octane ratings. Regular gasoline has the lowest octane rating and premium the highest. Most gas stations around Van Nuys CA also carry a mid-grade that falls in between the two. The octane range for the different grades of gas varies by region due to altitude differences. Engines require different octane ratings because of design differences. For example, turbocharged engines usually require premium gas. There's a sticker on your gas tank filler lid that tells you the minimum octane rating your manufactruer recommends. Read your owner's manual carefully to see if it's acceptable to use lower grades. Wi ... read more

  Let a AAA Approved Professional Check Your Tires, Brakes, Wipers and Steering Controls for FREE before something happens

  AutoAid in Van Nuys is donating $5 from every Oil Change we do in the month of October to Breast Cancer Research.  Funds collected will go to the following three organizations: Susan G. Koman, American Cancer Society and Stand Up 2 Cancer. We at AutoAid support Womens'  Health Month through donating a portion of our oil change service proceeds to this good cause

Power steering is standard on nearly every car and truck in Van Nuys, CA these days. Now there are some exotic, new types of power steering systems, but for the most part, the heart of the system is a pump that’s driven by a belt powered by the engine. The pump generates boost that assists you as you steer your sedan around Van Nuys, CA. Power steering systems use hoses to move pressurized fluid back and forth. These hoses can develop leaks so it’s a good idea to inspect them at every oil change. A check of the power steering fluid level is on the list for every full service oil change because low fluid can damage the power steering pump. And the fluid needs to be compatible with the hoses and seals, so you need to use the correct type –just ask your service consultant at AutoAid & Rescue. In addition to providing boost, the fluid cleans, cools and lub ... read more

If the fuel system in your sedan is dirty, you will be wasting gas and losing performance as you drive around Van Nuys CA. Unless you drive a vintage car, you have fuel injectors. They need to be properly maintained. That is why your owner’s manual has a schedule for cleaning your fuel injectors and other parts of your fuel system. Your service technician at AutoAid & Rescue has the tools and chemicals to do the job right. AutoAid & Rescue uses a process that gives your car a deep, professional fuel system cleaning. The particles, gum and varnish that build up in your fuel system are removed so that it can run cleanly and efficiently. After a professional fuel system cleaning, you’ll notice more power, better gas mileage and reduced exhaust emissions. AutoNetTV strongly recommends you follow your manufactruer’s fuel system cleaning service recommen ... read more