Berkeley Auto Repair

While it may be tempting to skip an oil change due to our busy schedules, doing so can pose harmful risks for your engine. For your car to run smoothly every day, you need to put clean engine oil in it to keep the motor and its parts lubricated. Motor oil helps to minimize friction, prevent corrosion, and maintain a stable engine temperature. Over time, this fluid picks up a decent amount of dirt and grime. That is why it is to get your oil and filter changed on time, every time.   The frequency of routine oil services may vary from person to person or car to car. Additionally, the climate and driving habits also play a role. The owner's manual is the best place to find reliable information regarding your oil change intervals, the type of oil required (conventional or synthetic), and much more. Your automaker has recommendations for all your maintenance items, not just your oil changes. By following the manufacturer's specifications, you'll protect your investment an ... read more

One common crime that is becoming more popular today is catalytic converter theft. Yep - you heard that right. You can find these metallic gadgets under your vehicle, and they are responsible for converting dangerous engine gasses into safer vapors to be released into the air.    You might wonder why these are so special. Thieves flock to catalytic converters because they contain precious metals such as palladium, platinum, rhodium, and copper, all of which have risen in price since the start of the pandemic. Unfortunately, the cost of replacing a catalytic converter may triple or quadruple the selling price of the stolen one. Nonetheless, if yours gets stolen, you should immediately get a new one to avoid damage to other parts. Moreover, you could be compromising your health and safety.   Tips to Prevent Catalytic Converter Theft Here are several things you can do to prevent catalytic converter theft from your vehicle. Only park in well-lit parking areas as light ... read more

Brakes are a critical safety component because they help you control vehicle speed and stop your vehicle when needed. You simply cannot operate a car without functioning brakes. A common problem that drivers face when it comes to brakes is soft or mushy brake pedals. When this happens, stopping your car may be a problem, making driving very dangerous. Below are some reasons why brakes can get spongy: Damaged Brake Lines Brakes lines are susceptible to rust. Moisture and salt can collect in certain areas and weaken your brake lines when you drive. As a result, you may experience leaks that cause spongy brake pedals. Old or Low Brake Fluid Brake fluid is necessary to convert the pressure applied to the brake pedals into stopping power. As previously mentioned, a loss in the brake fluid can cause mushy brakes. However, old and contaminated DOT fluid can also cause the same feeling. Fluid maintenance is necessary for this particular reason so that your brake fluid remains effective at ... read more

A police officer pulls you over because your tail lights are out. This is one of those common car problems that people rarely catch since they don't see their taillights when driving. You can only be certain that your taillights are working if you check on them regularly, which most people don't. Today, we will be going over the importance of taillights and why they might go out. What Is a Tail Light? Taillights (sometimes referred to as taillamps) are those red lights in the rear end of your car. Similar to your headlights, their primary goal is to make your vehicle visible to others on the road. Your taillights are typically connected to your headlight.  While your taillamps are on the backside of your vehicle, they are not the same as your brake lights. Though both are red and located in the same housing, they are not interchangeable. Brake lights are always much more vibrant than the regular tail lamp and only come on when you engage your brakes. What Causes Tailli ... read more

Happy Thanksgiving from our entire team at The Model Garage! For this holiday, we are not only thankful for our friends and family, but we are thankful for you all. With Thanksgiving, Christmas, and more coming up, it means lots of travel. If you are planning a road trip to visit your loved ones far and near, we highly urge you to come by our shop for a check-up before you hit the road. Here are five tips to remember when traveling for the holidays! Don't forget to pack ample blankets, coats, socks, hats, gloves, etc., for the road to keep you warm if you're traveling to colder places.  Pack an emergency kit in your trunk just in case of emergencies. Some things to include in that kit are a spare tire, jack, wrench, flashlight, batteries, road flares, cell phone charger, jumper cables, and first aid kit.  What's a road trip without snacks? Besides your cold-weather gear and emergency kit, please make sure you pack plenty of water and some snacks. This can curb ... read more

Many people take the reliability of a car's electrical system for granted until your car doesn't start. Without a battery, the ignition and starter would have no capability to crank the engine. Even after your vehicle starts, the battery continues to provide electrical charges to power the car's electrical systems. While you may think batteries are straightforward, many misunderstandings exist about their function, maintenance, and purpose. Today, we're here to lay it all out and set the record straight. Myth #1: Hot weather isn't as bad on batteries as cold weather. Both hot or cold temperatures can negatively affect the liquid solution that holds a charge in the battery. Both extremes significantly lower performance and leads to premature wear. While batteries won't freeze in frigid temperatures, it will also limit the battery's ability to work at full power. Ho ... read more

Your vehicle comprises various systems that are all very complex. Your vehicle is made of 30,000+ parts after all. Your vehicle's exhaust system is one of those systems. Today, we will do a deep dive into your exhaust system and discuss its essential parts and their functions.   If you haven't noticed by now, your vehicle emissions all start at the engine. Various gases sit in the combustion chamber that needs to get ejected out of your car eventually. The exhaust system is responsible for moving gases throughout your vehicle and converting harmful fumes into breathable vapors before releasing them into the air. The overall system comprises multiple pipes that work simultaneously to lessen the output of harmful pollutants. The parts involved in the intricate process of moving gases include the exhaust manifold, catalytic converter, oxygen sensor, tailpipe, muffler, and resonator.    The exhaust manifold is involved at the beginning of the process. The manifol ... read more

​​Whether you live in a populated city or you're just visiting one, chances are you're probably going to end up digging for coins to fish to a parking meter. This is the last thing you want to be doing is to be welcomed with a parking ticket on the way back to your car. You might wonder who was cruel enough to invent such a thing anyway. When and why did the parking meter come to be?   In 1935, a guy by the name of Carl C. Magee established the history of the first paid parking meter and originally called it the "Park-O-Meter." Magee had migrated from New Mexico and relocated to Oklahoma City in 1927. His occupation was in news reporting in Oklahoma City. During this time, growing urban cities experienced a lack of public parking, and Oklahoma City was no exception. He proposed a solution in the form of the Park-O-Meter, and the town accepted. They began installing Park-O-Meter on the southeast corner of what was then First Street and Robinson Avenue. The parki ... read more

We've all been a victim of this before-belting out our favorite songs in the car. Whether it's to make the commute to work a little less tiring or kicking off a road trip with a karaoke session, it should be a part of your driving routine. Aside from pure entertainment, did you know that there are health benefits to singing in the car? Here are the reasons why we encourage you to sing along to your tunes every time you get behind the wheel:   Singing is Excellent for Cardiovascular and Lung Health When singing, you engage your throat, lungs, diaphragm, and abdomen. Singing is considered a therapeutic activity for individuals with asthma or bronchitis. You are essentially improving your cardiovascular health while having fun with your vocals. Singing often also helps you develop better breathing control and means you habitually take deeper, slower breaths. It can be good for anxiety as well as your general mental health.   Singing Boosts Your Immune System Singin ... read more

If you aren't checking your car's fluids, then you might want to start setting reminders to do so. Similar to the water we drink, your car needs these six fluids to stay alive and moving. If these aren't routinely topped off, your vehicle is at risk of decreased performance, gas mileage, and value, as well as increased risk of a breakdown or accident.    What are the 6 Essential Fluids? The six essential car fluids you should regularly check are engine oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, coolant, power steering fluid, and windshield washer fluid.   ENGINE OIL Motor oil is the most critical fluid, as its primary function is to lubricate and protect the engine's parts from heat and dust. Before even thinking about checking your oil, you must know the type of oil your vehicle requires. This information is usually found in the owner's manual. There are three types of engine oil: conventional, semi-synthetic, and synthetic.   TRANSMISSION FL ... read more