Costa Mesa Auto Repair

Owning a vehicle is a convenience many of us in California are accustomed to. Some would even argue it's a necessity! This is why it is critical to service your vehicle at regular intervals. One of the most important maintenance steps is one you cannot ignore, checking and changing your brake pads. Maintaining healthy brake pads is first and foremost a safety precaution. After that it can be considered preventative maintenance and can save you tons of money in the long run. The Braking System's Longevity Your braking system includes brake calipers, pads, and rotors, which work together to stop your vehicle. Eventually, these components will begin to wear down. When this occurs, your vehicle's brakes becomes less responsive and more dangerous to operate. Review of your brake pads should happen about every 50,000 miles, but some car makes & models need to have their pads replaced every 25,000. For those still unsure about when to hav ... read more

Electrical Problems in Your Vehicle People often automatically assume that when their vehicle isn't starting, it's because of a bad battery or engine issues. This is not always the case. It is quite common for defective components within the electrical system to cause engine failure. Unlike brakes squeaking, or an engine that rattles, problems within your vehicle's electrical system can be less obvious and harder to diagnose. In most vehicles, the electrical system is composed of various components, including: Battery Battery cables Alternator Starter Computer system Problems with any of these components can cause problems with the vehicle's operation. Battery Matters The battery is the heart of your vehicle's electrical system. It stores power for when it is needed and lasts, on average, only around 5 years. This means you should have your battery checked, as preventative maintenance, every 3-4 years. A bad battery cell or alternator that is not charging correctly ... read more

All About Timing Belts The timing belt is one of the most crucial parts of your engine system, and one of the most important to maintain. The timing belt is a ribbed belt that works to keep the upper and lower parts of your engine working in time. It is arranged in a certain configuration in order to keep the cylinder heads and valves in sync with the crankcase and pistons. But how do you know how to best care for your timing belt? Does your car even have one? Do I Have a Timing Belt? If your car was made in the 90's or before, it has a timing belt, and you should pay attention to its maintenance! If you drive a more modern car, it is possible your engine uses a metal timing chain instead of a belt, a change that gives this part much more longevity. There are some modern companies, like Audi, who still build their cars with timing belts, so your best bet is to check your owner's manual to know what is keeping your engine in time. When Should I Change My Timing Belt? Of course, most ma ... read more

What it means when your brakes are noisy “My brakes are squealing” is one of the more common complaints we hear at Saddleback Automotive. The squealing, squeaking, and grinding may be annoying, but it can also indicate a serious problem within your brake system. There are two basic types of braking systems, the disc and the drum. Disc brakes are very common and contain pads, rotors, and calipers. Drum brakes contain the shoe, drum, and wheel cylinders. No matter what brake system your car has, if you hear them squealing, it’s time to take your car to the mechanic to be inspected. Causes of Squealing and Grinding Sounds If your brakes are making noise, your car shakes while stoppings, or if you’ve noticed a decrease in your car’s stopping power, the most likely cause is worn down brake pads. After continually exerting force to safely stop your vehicle, brake pads gradually get worn away. Once the life of the pads has diminished, the best and safest option is to replace them. Bei ... read more

Imagine yourself driving along, and suddenly, your vehicle’s check engine light turns on. What does this mean and what should you do next? To put it simply, your check engine light monitors your car’s performance. When the light illuminates, your car’s internal system is flagging a problem it is unable to repair it. The check engine light means different things for different vehicles, so unfortunately, the light does not mean the same thing across the board. Just because the check engine light has turned on, doesn’t always mean the problem is severe. It could be something small or in some cases something more serious. At Saddleback Automotive Repair we stress the importance of taking care of the problem as quickly as possible. Ignoring your check engine light can lead to a significant financial burden. When your car’s check engine light starts to flash, don’t let it go unnoticed. Your car is trying to tell you something, and it would be wise not to ignore it. When you ... read more