Santa Monica Auto Repair

The engine is one of the most important components of your vehicle and should be regularly serviced in order to protect the integrity of your vehicle. At 26th Street Auto Center in Los Angeles, CA, our ASE certified mechanics are experienced and specially trained to work on engines in all makes and models of vehicles. If you suspect an issue with your vehicle’s engine or are due for an engine service, bring your vehicle to our full service auto repair shop and we will determine the exact cause of the issue. We will get you back on the road quickly and safely.  We know that dealing with engine trouble can be stressful. If you do suspect that you need an engine repair or service, chances are you are probably dealing with one or more of the following symptoms:  Check engine light turns on Engine stalls Lack of power Lowered gas mileage  If you notice any of the issues above, don’t hesitate to bring your vehicle into our experts as soon as possible. Our pro ... read more

The brakes of your vehicle are vital when it comes to your safety. They allow you to slow or stop on the road when you need to, which is so important to safe driving. Although brake issue don’t happen all the time, it is still important to know when your brake pads may need to be replaced in order to maintain brake efficiency.  The brake pads are the part in your brake system that helps to gently stop your tires from rotating when you step on the brake pedal. When you apply pressure on the brakes, the brake pads will press against the rotor to slow down or stop the wheels from moving. With worn down brake pads, metal to metal damage can occur to brake components.  Typically, brake pads will last anywhere between 25,000 and 65,000 miles, with the average around 40,000 miles. How long your brake pads last will also depend on the quality of the brake pads and your individual driving habits. If you are constantly slamming on your vehicle's brakes, you m ... read more

At 26th Street Auto Center, we want our valuable customers to know that our shop is still open for business. We know that we are all dealing with very uncertain times with the rapid spread of the COVID-19 virus. However, auto care is still an essential need for our community and we want you to know that we are closely monitoring the situation to ensure the safety of our patrons and staff.  While remaining open, ensuring that we taking the proper precautions to ensure your health and safety is a priority. We are following the CDC's recommendations by constantly cleaning and sanitizing our lobby area, high-touch surfaces, and work stations. We will also make sure to sanitize your vehicle when it comes into our shop and when it leaves, while also implementing the use of gloves and other protection items. We are also requiring that any employees who may feel ill stay home until they are completely healthy again.  If you need a service or repair performed but need special ar ... read more

If you've been a car driver for years, chances are you've heard of your vehicle's shocks and struts. The shocks, or shock absorbers, are vital components of your vehicle's suspension system. They are attached to the car body and suspension system and are used to absorb road shock, as their name would imply. This helps to give you a smooth and consistent ride.  So, what is exactly is a shock absorber? It is essentially a cylindrical container that is filled with gas or liquid. While mounted from suspension system to the frame of your vehicle, the pistons inside the shocks will move up or down against the liquid or gas when you drive over bumps or uneven terrain.  Shocks definitely are a heavily used car component since they absorb so much energy each day. Typically over time, the gas or liquid inside the shock will leak after the shocks have been worn out. This will results in a very rocky or uncomfortable ride, and can also lead to excessive tire wear and lo ... read more

Spark plugs - you've probably heard about them but aren't entirely sure of their importance or how to best maintain them. Spark plugs have a really important job when it comes to getting your car to run. The spark plugs deliver the spark needed to ignite the air/fuel mixture in the engine. Without the spark, your car may not run and if it does, the performance will be poor and so will the emissions.  A telling sign of bad spark plugs is a engine that cranks but won't start. If the engine runs and misfires, this can indicate at least one of the spark plugs is bad. Since the spark plugs are considered an electronic component of your vehicle and do a lot of work when it comes to starting the engine, they will wear down over a certain mileage.  So, how often do the spark plugs need to be replaced? The best resource is to check your specific vehicle's manufacturer recommendations. The typically interval is anywhere between 30,000 and 45,000 miles. If its bee ... read more

We know that winter driving can be stressful, especially when you try to stay off the roads in times of winter storms and snow. The best thing you can do to be as prepared as possible when hitting the road in the winter is by ensuring that your vehicle is ready to handle the cold weather.  An inspection at our shop can help guarantee that your vehicle is in the best condition to stay reliable through the winter weather, and if not, we can help make the repairs necessary to get your vehicle where it needs to be.  Here are some of the top causes of winter vehicle breakdowns:  Engine overheating - Motor oil runs thicker in cold temperatures, making it harder for it to circulate and keep your car running smoothly—and prevent it from overheating. A dead battery - It’s harder for car batteries to produce a charge in winter — meaning it might not be able to produce enough energy to start your car when you turn the key. Radiator failure - You left your veh ... read more

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us here at 26th Street Auto Center! We hope that you had a wonderful holiday with friends and family. With all the holidays comes lots of travel, so if you are planning a road trip in the near future, we recommend that you check off some important travel measures before you hit the road.  Be sure to have your vehicle inspected by the experts here at 26th Street Auto Center before you hit the road. You never want to be caught in a situation where you are stuck without a working vehicle, so guaranteeing that your vehicle is ready for any road trip will keep your family safe and bring you peace of mind on the road.    Pack ample blankets and coats for the road to keep warm if you’re traveling in the cold this winter.    Have an emergency kit on hand in your trunk to help out in cases of emergencies. Some things to make sure you have with you include a spare tire, jack, wrench, flashlight, flares, cell phone charg ... read more

We know that it can be concerning to see your vehicle’s check engine light turn on. It can be stressful thinking about what the issue could be and how much it is going to cost you to fix it. When your vehicle’s check engine light turns on, it’s letting you know that it has detected a problem that needs to be addressed. The best way to get peace of mind and figure out the problem is to bring your vehicle into 26th Street Auto Center for professional computer diagnostics.  Computer diagnostic testing is done using a tool that essentially snaps onto your vehicle’s computer system. It will read the error code which will indicate which system the problem is coming from. This will help your mechanic pinpoint the issue and perform further, more specific testing if needed. Once the issue is determined, you will better understand the problem and how much it will cost to restore your vehicle.  Engine problems can manifest in other ways as well, so look ou ... read more

If you own a European vehicle, chances are you've considered having your car windows and windshield tinted. While some have interest in tinting simply for the look of tinted windows, having tinted windows actually has many more benefits for your vehicle. One thing to note, however, is that each state has different laws regarding tinted windows. Be sure to do your research beforehand to figure out tinted window laws that apply to you.  The benefits of tinted car windows include:  Increased privacy - having tinted windows gives you more privacy inside of your vehicle. It also helps to hide what is inside your vehicle, which can be helpful when it comes to vehicle theft.  Protects your interior from sun damage - tinted windows will actually help protect your car interior from damage that can occur from parking in the hot sun.  Keeps your vehicle cooler - having tinted windows will reduce how hot your vehicle gets, protecting your items inside and your vehicle ... read more

Paying attention to the scents that your vehicle omits is important. Certain smells can be an indication of an issues, sometimes a more severe one that will need to be addressed quickly. If you do notice a strange smell one day while driving, especially if it's coming from under the hood, here are some tips on how to troubleshoot the smell:  Rotten Eggs Rotten eggs is never a good sign. This is usually an indiciate of a bad catalytic converter. The catalytic converter has the important job of converting harmful gases from your vehicle's engine into less harmful ones. A bad converter will cause your vehicle to omit harmful gases and damage other important parts within the emissions system.  Mold A moldy or mildew smell is usually an indication of an air conditoning issue. The a/c system can actually start to grow mold or mildew if the drain is blocked and water is sitting in the system. Mold is very unheathly to inhale, so this should be inspected immediately.&nbs ... read more