Costa Mesa Auto Repair

Brake rotors are an important component in the braking system that stops your vehicle. Brake rotors (they’re also called brake discs) are what your vehicle’s brake pads clamp down on to stop the wheels from spinning. While it may not be common knowledge, brake rotors are just as important to stopping your vehicle as the brake pads are. What Do My Brake Rotors Look Like? The brake rotors in your car are the large flat circle discs that are easily visible when replacing your tires or changing a flat. This rotating part connects to your axle and uses the brake pads and calipers to control your braking system. The brake rotors are normally made from steel/ iron and typically last a long time before needing replacing. Squealing brakes are usually a warning sign that something isn’t right with your system. Sometimes it can be a simple matter and easy to resolve. However, largely it can also be a sign of impending danger. Keeping your brake rotors in optimum condition is of the utmost importa ... read more

What is a tire/wheel alignment? While it’s often referred to simply as an “alignment” or “wheel alignment,” this type of automotive service is deceptively complex. It requires angles to be measured, adjusted, and a variety of suspension components to be evaluated. This makes an alignment an important suspension-tuning tool that impacts the operation of the vehicle’s tires. An accurate wheel alignment is vital to the performance of a vehicle’s tire and the longevity of its tread. Regular wheel alignments can save you money by increasing the life of your tires, and should be considered routine, preventative maintenance. Alignment Issues You may begin to notice alignment issues when the suspension and steering stop operating at their desired angles. Your steering wheel may be off to one direction to the left or right and you may begin to feel your car “pulling” in a certain direction, even while you’re driving straight. Out-of-alignment conditions are most often caused by inner component ... read more

Inspecting Your Suspension System The main function of your vehicle’s suspension system is to provide a smooth, safe, and comfortable ride regardless of the road you travel. Your vehicle’s suspension ensures your tires remain in proper contact with the road, so additional systems such as braking, steering, and driving are responsive when needed most. Your vehicle’s suspension is very complex with many components working side by side. These various components include shock absorbers, springs, and suspension bushes that must be kept in good condition to guarantee a comfortable and safe ride. If any of these components become worn or damaged your safety may be at risk. Below we have provided some additional information regarding your vehicle’s suspension system and how to recognize the signs of wear and tear. Suspension Problems The suspension is one of the most active systems within the vehicle, making it prone to wear and tear. The most common symptoms of car suspension problems is lack ... read more

Coolant (antifreeze) mixes with water in a car's radiator and helps to prevent the liquid from freezing and boiling within your engine. Your engine's cooling system is vital for the vehicle's overall health. Considering the amount of heat energy generated by burning gasoline within the engine, the engine's cooling system has a direct role in whether or not the car functions properly. The mixture of antifreeze within the engine lowers the temperature at which water freezes. Because of this, your internal engine fluids can remain liquid well into negative temperatures. While oil is important for an engine's overall livelihood, coolant is equally necessary to keep everything running at optimum temperature. More on Coolant The coolant in your vehicle's cooling system needs to be inspected every so often to protect against corrosion. While the main component of antifreeze does not “expire”, any additives to prevent decomposition eventually do. This is why many c ... read more