Walnut Creek Auto Repair

When the sun goes down, it's a new world on the roads. Driving in the dark brings with it a host of challenges. Whether you're heading out for a late-night drive or returning home from a long day, there are specific steps you should take before hitting the open road to ensure your safety and that of others around you. To help you and others stay safe, follow these tips for night-time driving. Use your Headlights Appropriately Your car's most important safety features when driving in the dark are your headlights. However, it's essential to use them appropriately and in a way that ensures the safety of yourself and others on the road. For starters, always use your headlights when driving at night or in low-visibility conditions. Don't let Fatigue ruin your chances for a safe drive. Fatigue is also a key concern when driving at night. While it's important to stay alert and focused at all times, your eyes may become tired and sleepy after staring out into the d ... read more

A car's engine is designed to operate within a specific temperature range. When the temperature rises too high, the engine starts to overheat and can cause severe damage. This article will discuss what could be causing your car to overheat and how regular maintenance can help prevent it. What Can Cause a Car to Overheat? Several issues can cause a car to overheat. These include: Low coolant levels: Coolant is the liquid responsible for regulating your engine's temperature. If the coolant level drops too low, it won't be able to do its job correctly, and the engine starts to heat up. Low oil levels: Engine oil helps cool and lubricate the components of your engine, so if the oil is running low, it won't be able to do its job properly. This will cause the engine to overheat. Failed thermostat: The thermostat controls the coolant flow in and out of the engine. If it fails, then the coolant won't be able to circulate properly, and your engine will overheat. Block ... read more

After some time, a car wash won’t do a good enough job of getting the dirt and grime off your headlights. If you notice that your headlights are foggy or yellow, it means that they are oxidized (or at least the lens is). At Prestige Autohaus, we understand how important visibility is when it comes to driving. If your vehicle’s headlights have been worn down, you need to restore them. Professional headlight restorations can add up over time. If your vehicle isn’t impacted severely, you can definitely get away with a DIY headlight restoration job. Today, we will share these 3 easy methods for at-home headlight restoration. You’ll be blown away by what you can do with these household items. Method 1: Toothpaste  Yep – you read that right! Start out by washing your car as you normally would. Once you dry it, apply a generous layer of toothpaste onto the headlight lens. Let it sit and then wipe it away with a dry microfiber cloth. Do so in a scrubbing ... read more

You use your brakes when you take your car out of the driveway. Without brake pads, your car would be unable to slow down, making it impossible to control, inevitably leading to an accident. Generally, it is vital to check your brake pad lining thickness regularly and replace them if they seem worn out or function less effectively. There is no set time to replace your brakes as usage varies from time to time, and the brake-lining materials will vary. The best thing to do is check your brake lining every time your car is in the shop just to be sure. How to Tell if your Brake Lining is Worn Out Less Efficient Your brake lining is probably getting worn out if your vehicle's braking distance keeps getting longer. You may notice that it takes time for your car to come to a complete stop which can lead to road accidents. Noises When Braking Another way to tell your brake pads are worn out is by listening to any sounds your car makes when you apply them. They need to be replaced urg ... read more

Depending on the type of person you are, your check engine light coming on might spike your anxiety or just make you chuckle. A check engine light is probably one of the most vague warnings that a person ever gets in their vehicle. In cars of all ages, this warning seemingly comes on for no reason whatsoever. However, this light can also signify that there's a serious problem with your vehicle. While we'd always recommend getting your car checked out by a professional mechanic, let's talk about what this light can mean. What Should I Do First? The most obvious conclusion one might have when they see their engine light come on is that there's a problem with the engine. However, what type of problem is it, and how serious can it be? Well, the first thing you should do is take stock of your vehicle when you notice this light. Are you hearing any unusual noises when driving or idling? Even if they're very faint and barely noticeable, any new noise could be a sign that ... read more