Northridge Auto Repair

Safety is paramount the moment you start your car. While your seat belt is one of the most critical safety features, your brakes and tail lights are not far behind. Your brake lights illuminate to let the drivers behind you know that you’re slowing down or preparing to stop. In comparison, your tail lights are only activated when your headlights are turned on. They help with nighttime visibility or severe weather, such as heavy rain. Both lights work together to provide a safe driving experience. However, what happens if your tail lights are fully functioning, but your brake lights aren’t? Below are a few common reasons why this would occur: Malfunctioning Turn Signal Switch In some vehicles, the turn signal switch and the brake light share the same circuit. If the turn signal switch isn’t working, the other may not be either. Once the wire is replaced, both should be fixed appropriately. Blown Out Light Bulbs If you have an older v ... read more

Car horns are unique because they are the background soundtrack for many cities around the world. There are many interesting aspects of vehicles for a car enthusiast; it makes it easy to take the car horn for granted. Below is a glimpse of the history of the car horn and its modernization over the years. Before there were interstates, in a period of horseless carriages – drivers used bells, whistles, and even hand-squeezed horns to notify pedestrians and other drivers of their presence. It wasn’t until 1908 that young inventor Miller Reese Hutchison patented the Klaxon Horn. Hutchinson, who also worked alongside Thomas Edison, created two versions of his Klaxon Horn. According to MoparMagazine, one version of the horn was motor-powered with batteries, and the other was manual with a small hand crank. Both versions of the Klaxon Horn gave a distinctive “aoogha” to announce each vehicle’s presence. Today if you honk at a pedestrian, you may startle them or ... read more

Audiobooks are a great way to pass the time during road trips. Audiobooks provide a story filled with personality, and some studies show they improve mental health. For a car enthusiast, entertainment doesn’t have to start under the hood. Massive platforms like Audible offer a variety of options of books to keep car lovers entertained. Below are a few well written car-themed audiobooks for your next road trip:  The Toyota Way by Jeffrey Liker If you’re a fan of Toyota, this would be the perfect book to listen to as it explains what made them successful and how you can adapt some of their principals in your own life. Girls Auto Clinic Glove Box Guide by Patrice Banks  Banks is an engineer-turned mechanic who provides a ‘do-it-herself’ book of tools geared towards women who are trying to navigate through auto maintenance, honest car repair, and roadside emergencies. The Yugo: The Rise and Fall of the Worst Car ... read more

Driving in warm summer months here in California can definitely take a toll on your vehicle. The high temperature and increase in driving can add wear and tear, so these helpful tips on how to summerize your vehicle can ensure that your car is properly prepared and ready to take the heat. Here are some ways you can summerize your vehicle: Check the level of coolant - low coolant can quickly lead to engine overheating, especially in the summer. If the coolant level is low, we recommend bringing your vehicle into our shop. There may be a leak in the system, and just topping off the coolant may not solve the issue if the coolant continues to leak. We will also ensure that the cooling fan is in proper working order.    Test your vehicle's air conditioning system for proper function.   Take note of the age of your vehicle's battery, and if its been over 3 years since you last replaced it, you may want to have it tested. We can do so at our shop to see how much j ... read more

Gas prices are always on the rise, and we understand that it can be frustrating when you own a vehicle that isn’t that great when it comes to gas mileage. You may have considered buying a new car with better gas mileage, but luckily there are ways that you can improve your current vehicle’s gas mileage.  Here are some ways on how to improve your car’s gas mileage:  Stay on top of your vehicle’s regular maintenance and service - this will make sure that all of your vehicle’s components are working at their best and will give you the best fuel efficiency from your car   Drive smarter and smoother - try not to hit the gas or brakes hard while driving. Give yourself plenty of time to speed up and slow down. This will give you the best gas mileage.    Try to avoid driving during traffic, if possible - stop and go traffic burns up our fuel faster than anything else. Avoiding heavily trafficked areas will give you the best fuel effi ... read more