Seaside Auto Repair

Is Your Car Worth Fixing? | Evaluating Maintenance vs. Buying New Is it more cost-effective to maintain your current vehicle or to buy a new or used one? Let’s dive into the numbers and help you make an informed decision. Check out our cost-to-own video where we show you how you can save money! The Cost of Maintaining Your Current Vehicle First, let's look at the maintenance costs for your existing vehicle over 75,000 miles. Here’s a breakdown of essential services and their costs: - Fluids, Filters, Belts, Hoses - Battery - Shocks and Struts - Alignment and Tire Rotation - Spark Plugs These items combined add up to about $16,337. Adding repairs for wearable items like brakes and tires, the total comes to around $22,337 over 75,000 miles ... read more

Why Choose Wayside Garage? Choosing the right place for your car maintenance and repair can be daunting. Here's why Wayside Garage should be your go-to choice for all your automotive needs: 1. Comprehensive Maintenance Plans At Wayside Garage, we offer thorough maintenance plans to keep your vehicle in top shape: Every 5-6 Months: Oil & Filter Service and a Complimentary Inspection every 5,000 miles or 6 months. Annually: Fuel & Air System Decarbonization/Tune-Up, Cabin Air Filter, Battery Service, Engine Air Filter, Wheel Alignment, and Comprehensive Inspection every 10,000 miles or 12 months. Every 2 Years: Brake Fluid Service, Fuel Filter, and Complete Inspection every 24,000 miles or 24 months. Every 3 Years: Power Steering Fluid Service, Cooling System Service, Transmission Service, Front Wheel Bearing Repack, Transfer Case Service, Rear Differential Service, and Front Differential Service every 30,000 miles or 30 months. Every 5 Years: Spark P ... 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

Why is my engine knocking? At Wayside Garage, we recently had a client whose vehicle had to be towed in due to a concerning knocking noise. Our certified technician, Marcus, took the necessary precaution to check the engine oil level before starting the engine. He found the oil level to be full and relatively clean, which prompted us to have a deeper conversation with the client. It turns out the client had added oil only after hearing the knocking noise. Unfortunately, this meant the engine had already suffered from low oil levels for too long, leading to significant damage. Despite adding oil later, the damage was already done, leading to the need for an engine repair or even a replacement. The Importance of Regular Oil Checks Engines can burn oil, and it's not uncommon for a vehicle to use up to one quart every 1,000 miles. This is why it's crucial to regularly check your oil level. Running your engine on low oil can cause severe damage ... read more