San Carlos Auto Repair

What should the tire pressure be on my car? Question posted by Janet W. regarding her Lexus RX350. We are headed to tahoe for summer break and want to make sure our tires are properly inflated.  Can you tell us the easiest way to find out what is the recommended tire pressure is on our vehicle? Often times we get the question, what is my vehicles recommended tire pressure? The truth is that all cars require different tire pressure but we will give you the general rules below. Where do I find the recommended tire pressure for my vehicle? Most vehicle manufacturers require a tire pressure of 32psi to 36psi on cars, SUVs, and light trucks. If you want to find the exact tire pressure for your car, check the following places: Sticker/decal in the glove box Vehicle owners manual Sticker/Decal in the driver inner door edge/door jam Sticker/Decal in the passenger inner door edge/door jam Sticker/Decal inside the fu ... read more

How do I get the fog off my headlights? Question posted by Barry G. regarding his Acura MDX "How do I get the fog off my headlights?  The headlights on my MDX are getting foggier by the day.  I am concerned that it could cause a safety issue with my night time driving." Why are my headlights cloudy? Why are my headlights yellow, hazed, or cloudy? Is there something you can do to make them brighter? Headlights are not only a cosmetic concern but should be considered a safety issue. Let's start by explaining why your headlights look fogged or hazed.   About 20 years ago, vehicle manufacturers switched from glass headlamps to plastic headlight units. UV rays, road grime, and chemicals react with the plastic and cause the ugly fog, hazed, yellow looking headlights.How do I get the fog off my headlights? There are many different methods and compounds you can use to ... read more

Why does my air conditioner have a musty smell? "I am writing into your repair mechanics to find out what is causing my air conditioner odor?  My air conditioner has a musty smell that is typically noticeable for the first 60 seconds or A/C operation.  After that duration it dissipates." Why does my air conditioner smell musty? Your car air conditioning smells bad because you probably have mildew or bacteria in the air conditioning system. We deal with the air conditioner smell often and will explain why it happens, how to clean the air conditioner and how to avoid it.  This is not uncommon and has nothing to do with a leak in the A/C system but can cause you some discomfort from the smell and possible mold. How did my vehicles air conditioner get in this condition and start to smell?  As the air conditioner begins to cool down, there are metal fins (the air condi ... read more

Why does my steering wheel shake when I hit the brakes? If you feel your steering wheel shake while you apply the brakes, you probably have warped or over heated, your front brake rotors. If you are not applying the brake pedal and the steering wheel still shakes, you may have another issue that should get checked out immediately.  How did I overheat my front brakes? The steering wheel shake while braking is caused by overheated brake rotors. If the heat you generate while braking can't be dispersed, you will over heat and deform the brake rotors. Below is a list of what causes the steering wheel to shake if you are braking: Braking down long steep hills. Braking from high speed off of the freeway Resting your foot on the brake pedal If your previous brake job was not performed properly (when calipers and moving components are not properly serviced or lubed) Thin/worn brak ... read more