WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOUR VEHICLE HAD AN INSPECTION?
August 1, 2022
We all spend a decent amount of time in our cars, especially this time of year. With back-to-school shopping, those last summer road trips, and our weekly errands, it’s important that your vehicle has been appropriately maintained and is safe to drive. That's where vehicle inspections come in: they’re essential to keeping your car on the road for as long as possible.
In California, drivers need a new inspection every two years.
So how often should you get an inspection? In California, most drivers must take their vehicle for an inspection every two years. However, there’s a caveat to this. Especially if you’re stacking up miles or have an older vehicle, you may want to check in with an auto mechanic more frequently. If vehicle safety is important to you, you should have your car inspected yearly, no matter how old or how much you drive.
Your vehicle inspection usually will include observation and testing of various parts of your vehicle. In California, that looks like:
- Checking for leaks or puddles left on the ground from the vehicle.
- Inspecting hoses.
- Checking the air compressor, alternator, and water pump.
- Assessing the oil, coolant, power steering fluid, and windshield wiper fluid levels.
- Checking the brakes.
…and a few other things, depending on what mechanic you see. Essentially, the state of California just wants to make sure you and your vehicle are safe on the road!
Vehicle inspections are made easier through routine maintenance.
If it’s time for your vehicle to get an official vehicle inspection, you should see an auto mechanic. This doesn’t mean you should wait to do routine observation and maintenance, though. You can do a few things in the meantime to keep your vehicle in tip-top shape.
- Check your oil level.
- Check the tire pressure of all tires and fill with air if needed (if you’re unsure how your mechanic can help you!).
- Inspect each tire for uneven wear or cuts/abrasions that could lead to a blowout, and replace when necessary (this may be a sign there’s an alignment issue at hand, so you should check in with your auto mechanic after this discovery!).
- Wipers should clear water from windshields well enough that no streaks remain after use. Be sure wiper blades are properly attached and free from cracks or other damage that could affect their performance.
A self-inspection isn’t as intensive as an inspection you’ll get at the auto mechanics, but it can help you stay on top of your vehicle needs.
Come see us at Autotrend Diagnostic for your vehicle inspection!
It’s essential to ensure your car is ready for the road so you can stay safe while driving. We know it’s easy to forget about a vehicle inspection, but if you don’t keep up with it, your vehicle may have to pay the price. You can avoid costly repairs or even worse with the proper maintenance plan and scheduled inspections.
Here at Autotrend Auto Repair, we can help service your vehicle inspection and support you through any repairs needed. If you find something amiss during your inspection, we have your back. We strive to provide our clients with a stress-free auto repair experience.
Please schedule an appointment for maintenance or service from our expert mechanics. See you soon! Don't forget to Like us
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Keep Your Vehicle in Top Shape with Preventative Care in Campbell Ever wondered how some cars seem to run smoothly for years while others are always in the shop? The secret is consistent preventative maintenance. By addressing small issues before they become major problems, you can extend the life of your vehicle and avoid costly repairs. But what exactly does preventative maintenance entail, and how can you stay on top of it? In this blog, we’ll break down the essential components of preventative car maintenance, why it’s crucial for drivers in Campbell, and how Autotrend Auto Repair can help you keep your vehicle in peak condition. Book an appointment with us today to stay ahead of potential issues. What Is Preventative Maintenance? Preventative maintenance involves routine checks and services designed to keep your car running smoothly and to catch potential problems before they escalate. This proactive approach not only ensures your car's reliability but also saves you money by avoiding major repairs down the line. At Autotrend Auto Repair, we focus on the key areas that keep your vehicle safe and efficient, ensuring that small issues are nipped in the bud. From regular oil changes to tire rotations and brake inspections, each service plays a vital role in maintaining your car’s health. The ABCs of Preventative Maintenance A: Always Check Your Fluids: Regularly checking and changing your car’s fluids—including oil, coolant, and brake fluid—ensures that your engine stays lubricated and cool, preventing overheating and component wear. B: Brake Inspections: Your brakes are your car’s most important safety feature. Regular inspections help you stay safe on the road and prevent costly repairs by catching wear and tear early. C: Consistent Tire Care: Proper tire maintenance, including rotations and pressure checks, not only extends tire life but also improves fuel efficiency and handling. By following these simple ABCs of preventative maintenance, you can keep your car running smoothly and efficiently. At Autotrend Auto Repair, we offer comprehensive services to help you stay on top of your car’s maintenance needs. Stay Ahead with Autotrend Auto Repair Preventative maintenance is the key to a long-lasting, reliable vehicle. By staying proactive and addressing potential issues early, you can ensure that your car continues to perform at its best. Don’t wait for problems to arise— book your preventative maintenance with Autotrend Auto Repair in Campbell today and drive with confidence.
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Welcome to March! Spring will soon be sprung. We hope it’s a good season for you and yours and that you have the resources you need to see your way through the next month. The arrival of spring will bring with it certain other problems: the local fauna will wreak havoc on the sinuses of the unprepared. Particularly in dry seasons, the dusting of pollen all over our cars can make life difficult for the sensitive among us who react badly to pollens, whether tree, ragwood, or otherwise. Protecting your car and your passengers against pollen is important. We’d like to recommend a few each steps to helping you save your passengers (or yourself) during the allergy season: Consider your destination. If you’re going somewhere near a big field of flowers or where the parking will put you right where pollen will hit you, rethink your plans. Wash your car regularly. Get your car washed at regular intervals if the season is dry and the rain isn’t washing the pollen away enough. Air Filters. Replacing your air filters inside your car is a good way to flush out a large accumulation of pollen. If you don’t have time to do this yourself, Autotrend will be happy to take care of it for you! We hope the return of mother nature is kind to you and yours, but if it isn’t, we hope these tios will help you cope during Allergy season. If you need your air filter replaced, bring your vehicle to Autotrend Auto Repair\! For the best auto repair and preventive maintenance service, schedule an appointment online. You'll be glad you did! Schedule an appointment for service , or contact us online for a stress-free auto repair experience. See you soon!
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Welcome to a new year! As the pandemic carries on into 2021, we’ve had to adjust the way we do everything to keep ourselves and our kids safe. There’s a lot to do every time we go out the door now! Here are some ground rules we should all follow when venturing forth in our cars Know your route. We’re at a stage where we have to consider where we’re headed as where we may potentially break down. So check your route on a navigation device for any detours or obstructions. Be aware of when traffic slows on your way there and back, to avoid high traffic periods. Keep your calm. This is hard, especially with kids around. Sometimes the kids can get excited or loud during a trip. And sometimes outside events can affect our calm: rude drivers, sudden stops, conflicts. It’s important to stay calm and remember that the objective isn’t winning a race when we drive, it’s to get safely to your next destination. And remember, other people may be trying to stay calm, but failing at it. Show them grace and help them out. Checklist the PPE gear you need before you leave the house. Does every passenger have it? Are there spares if someone loses it? Do you have hand sanitizer? And the most crucial: did everyone use the restroom before going to the car? Know that your car is well enough to make the voyage. There’s no sense putting your head in the sand about your car. If it’s in need of some work, it’s best to know what and address it when possible, then ignore it and run the risk of being stranded somewhere with no help in sight. Here’s to you and your family for managing so well this far into the pandemic. If you need an updated inspection of your vehicle, give the team at Autotrend Auto Repair a call today! For the best auto repair and preventive maintenance service, schedule an appointment online or give Autotrend Auto Repair a call. You'll be glad you did! Schedule an appointment for service , or contact us online for a stress-free auto repair experience. See you soon!
At Autotrend, we know how easy it is to take driving for granted, to think of ourselves as invincible and impervious. But other drivers do this, too. To survive them, you need to be aware of their major sins. These 9 New Year’s Driver Resolutions are about helping you be more aware and protected from bad driving on the road. Focus on the drive - Sort out your distractions before you start your journey. Never drive sleepy, never drive after drinking, or under the influence of drugs (illegal and prescribed). Adjust your mirrors properly Before you take the car out of Park. Pull the vehicle over for an emotional conversation. Practice Defensive Driving - every time you get behind the wheel, be aware that someone else may be even more reckless than you are. Don’t tailgate - Leave a bigger gap Obey traffic laws - Follow the speed limit. Use appropriate speed on the highway and come to a full stop at stop signs. Do not switch lanes within 45 yards of an intersection. Share the road - Match your speed to the traffic around you, and get to the right-hand lane if you others wish to go faster. Be courteous - do not let bad driving or selfishness in other drivers affect your driving. Be kind to the mistakes of others. Be present - Hold the steering wheel properly, and wear proper shoes on your feet. Signal - Don’t weave between lanes. We hope you and your family are ready for what 2021 has in store for you. Please, give the team at Autotrend Auto Repair a call today! For the best auto repair and preventive maintenance service, schedule an appointment online or give Autotrend Auto Repair a call. You'll be glad you did! Schedule an appointment for service, or contact us online for a stress-free auto repair experience. See you soon!
Did you know that this Thanksgiving marks the 400th anniversary of Thanksgiving? The first one actually happened on November 9th, 1620, on board the Mayflower. After 65 days in rough seas, the pilgrims finally made it to the shores of North America, just off Cape Cod. They read out Psalm 100 in unison to thank God for their safe arrival. This year, as we gather with our families where we can for Thanksgiving, there will likely be some hard feelings over differences of opinion on politics and science. It’s important that we talk to each other with a willingness to understand our differences as much as stake the claim to our own beliefs. We hope your family forgives their differences and is thankful to be alive and in each other’s company in a year of pandemic. At Autotrend Auto Repair, we’re thankful for your patronage this past year. The continued support of the Campbell community kept us alive and our jobs intact. We hope you will be thankful for the common element that brought us together this year: your car. You can do very small things for your car, and very big things for your car… but in all of our plans, the endgame is to save you money in the long run. Here are our top 4 suggestions for showing gratitude to your vehicles: Clean them. This seems naively simple, but there’s science behind it. Cleaning the outside clears it of dirt and grit that can wind up clogging your systems, and cleaning the inside of your car helps keep you healthy. Also, when your car looks good, you do more to protect it. Consolidate your trips out. Less driving means less wear and tear on your car, and less chance of getting into a random accident along the way. Stop letting yourself get angry in your cars. Road rage and anger of being cheated, cut off, or taken advantage of in traffic only makes you a worse driver. Let your car be your sacred place, instead of a volatile, reactive place. Flush out your systems. Take advantage of our preventative maintenance program to protect your car and extend its life. To learn more about the many ways you can show gratitude to your car, give the team at Autotrend Auto Repair a call today! For the best auto repair and preventive maintenance service, schedule an appointment online or give Autotrend Auto Repair a call. You'll be glad you did! Schedule an appointment for service , or contact us online for a stress-free auto repair experience. See you soon!
Your car takes a beating day in and day out, but as the seasons change and the weather starts to get colder and more harsh, now is the time to start thinking about getting your car ready for the winter weather. Keep reading to find out how to start that preparation! Though the Bay Area isn’t necessarily known for its harsh weather conditions, there’s no telling what this winter season will bring. With fire still raging all over California and the west coast, now’s the time to get fully prepped for the months that lie ahead. Take a look at some of the ways you can get prepped: 1. Engine There are a multitude of things that could go wrong with your engine during the winter, so now’s a good time to give everything a thorough once-over. Get an oil change, and have your fluid levels checked. This should include your antifreeze, oil, windshield washer fluid, radiator fluid, and more. Also take a look at all your belts and hoses, to see if any have abnormal or extensive cracks or leaks. If you do, see an auto mechanic right away. Additionally, you should give your transmission and brakes an inspection, which can easily be handled by the skilled auto mechanic team at Autotrend Auto Repair! While you’re taking a look at your engine, this is also a good time to check on how your air filter is doing. With all the fires raging around California, you don’t want to be breathing in bad air from a clogged air filter. Your car’s cabin filter and all your air filters will likely need changing soon, if not immediately, as a result of the soot and ash in the air. 2. Tires While San Jose enjoys a relatively moderate cold season, the rain and potential hail that we see during the winter can pose just as much of a hazard to drivers as snow. You should inspect your tires for proper tread, as well as abnormal wear and tear, and air pressure, which can easily be performed by your auto mechanic of choice. You’ll also want to have your tires rotated and balanced, in order to ensure that you have full control and precise handling when you need it most in the coming winter rainy season. If you plan on heading to areas with snow or ice on the roads, you may want to think about snow tires or snow chains. With snow tires you’ll get superior maneuverability and handling, though they may be a hassle to buy, install, and remove. Snow chains are another great option, and are easy to put on, take off, and store in your trunk. 3. Lights and Bulbs Lights and bulbs may not seem like they need all that much attention, but when you’re out on the road and your headlight or tail light goes out, you’ll wish you’d checked them! Go through all the lights and bulbs on your car and see if any are dimmed or in need of replacing. If they’re no longer good, give the Autotrend Auto Repair team a call. We’ll get your lights and bulbs squared away with speed and efficiency and have you on your way in no time. 4. Windshield Wipers The windshield wipers on your car are especially important in the winter. With rain, sleet, and potentially snow obstructing your vision while driving, you need to be able to depend on your windshield to clear your view. If you notice that your wiper blades make a squeaking or skipping noise while they’re on, or if they have any visible damage like cracks, brittleness, or chunks missing out of the rubber, you should look into having them replaced. Otherwise, they should be replaced every six months to a year as needed. 5. Car Emergency Kit Your car emergency kit should always remain in your vehicle, and each vehicle you drive should have one! You should cater your emergency kit to your particular car’s needs, as well as the location and terrain you’ll be driving in. Every kit should at least contain jumper cables, flashlight and batteries, flares or reflective road triangles, a warm blanket, basic toolkit, a first aid kit with a small supply of your prescription medications. You may also want to include some bottled water, non-perishable snacks, and an extra cell phone charger. To learn more about how to get your car ready for the fall and winter, give the team at Autotrend Auto Repair a call today! For the best auto repair and preventive maintenance service, schedule an appointment online or give Autotrend Auto Repair a call. You'll be glad you did! Schedule an appointment for service , or contact us online for a stress-free auto repair experience. See you soon!
