Seaside Auto Repair

Can a dirty air filter affect engine performance?  Ever wondered what happens when your engine air filter gets dirty? At Wayside Garage, we often see clients coming in for maintenance, and one common issue we spot is a clogged air filter. A dirty air filter can cause several problems for your car, impacting its performance and fuel efficiency. Let's dive into why keeping your air filter clean is crucial. What Does an Air Filter Do? The engine air filter is designed to keep dirt, dust, and debris out of your engine. It ensures that only clean air enters the engine, which is vital for efficient combustion. When the air filter is clogged, it restricts airflow, making it harder for the engine to get the oxygen it needs. How Does a Dirty Air Filter Affect Performance? 1. Reduced Power: Your engine is essentially an air pump. When the air filter is dirty, the engine can't get enough air, reducing its power output. You might notice sluggish acceleration and ... read more

Why does my car make a clunking noise? If you've been hearing a clunking noise when turning your car, it might be time to check your sway bar links. At Wayside Garage, we often see this issue, especially in older cars like a 2005 Honda Accord Hybrid. But what exactly are sway bar links, and why are they important? What Are Sway Bar Links? Sway bar links, also known as stabilizer links, are crucial components of your car's suspension system. They help stabilize your vehicle when you turn, reducing body roll and improving handling. When these links are worn out or damaged, you might hear clunking noises, especially when making turns. This noise can be mistaken for axle issues, but it's often the sway bar links causing the problem. Signs Your Sway Bar Links Need Attention 1. Clunking Noise: A common sign is a clunking or clicking noise when turning. 2. Increased Body Roll: If your car feels like it's leaning more than ... read more

Why Is My Car Making a Pinging Noise? Understanding Carbon Buildup and Spark Plug Wear Have you ever noticed a pinging noise while driving your car? It might be due to carbon buildup in your engine or worn-out spark plugs. At Wayside Garage, we recently worked on a 2019 Hyundai with this exact issue. Here's what we discovered and how we fixed it. What Causes Pinging in Your Engine? Pinging, or knocking, often occurs when there's excessive carbon buildup in the engine. This buildup can interfere with the normal combustion process, causing the fuel-air mixture to ignite at the wrong time. Imagine tiny embers in your combustion chamber igniting the mixture too early, leading to that unsettling pinging noise. The Role of Spark Plugs Spark plugs play a crucial role in your car's engine by igniting the fuel-air mixture at the right moment. Over time, they can wear out, and carbon buildup on the electrodes can further hamper ... read more

Why Are Struts Important for Your Car? Maintaining your car's struts is crucial for a smooth and safe driving experience. Today, we're diving into the world of struts and why they are essential for your vehicle's performance and safety. Jonathan from Wayside Garage will help explain the ins and outs of struts and why replacing them on time is vital. What Are Struts? Struts are a crucial part of your car's suspension system. They consist of a spring and a shock absorber, working together to: - Support the vehicle's weight: The spring bears the weight of the car. - Absorb impacts: The shock absorber dampens the motion from bumps, potholes, and curbs. - Enhance stability: Struts help in maintaining vehicle stability during turns and stops. Why Are Struts Important? 1. Smooth Ride: Struts absorb shocks from the road, ensuring a comfortable ride. 2. Safety: They contribute to vehicle stability, preventing excessive ... read more

Check Engine Light: A Deep Dive at Wayside Garage At Wayside Garage in Seaside, CA, we recently had a client come in with a Chevy Volt experiencing a check engine light issue. The modern Chevy Volt, like many vehicles today, is equipped with approximately 30 to 50 different computers, each monitoring various systems and components.  When diagnosing a check engine light, our first step is phase one testing, where we scan the vehicle's computer for codes. In this particular case, our expert technician, Jonathan, found multiple codes stored in the computer. Some of these codes were even duplicated across different modules. Decoding the Codes: A Layman's Explanation To make sense of this, think of the car as the trunk of an oak tree. When we plug the scanner into the vehicle, it's like identifying the trunk. Each code we find directs us to a specific branch, and from there, we may need to examine smaller branches and leaves to find the exact issue.&nbs ... read more