Seaside Auto Repair

What’s Causing That Clunking Sound When I Go Over Bumps? You’re cruising along, hit a speed bump, and clunk!—your car makes a sound that definitely wasn’t there before. It might feel like something shifted, knocked, or even bounced under the car. At Wayside Garage, we hear this concern a lot, and the good news is: you’re not imagining things. That clunk is trying to tell you something. 🚗 Is a Clunk Over Bumps a Big Deal? It might be. While not every noise is an emergency, clunking when you hit bumps often means there’s something loose, worn out, or broken in your suspension system—the parts that help keep your ride smooth and your tires on the road. And when suspension parts start to fail, it doesn’t just make your car noisy—it can mes ... read more

Why Is My Car Making a Humming Noise? Ever been driving along, minding your own business, when suddenly you notice this low, steady humming noise coming from your car? It's kind of like a quiet growl that gets louder as you speed up. At first, you might brush it off—maybe it's the road, right? But if it keeps happening, it’s definitely worth checking out. At Wayside Garage, we see this issue all the time. And while humming noises can be caused by a few different things, they’re often a sign that something’s starting to wear out. Let’s break it down together. 🚘 Is a Humming Noise Something to Worry About? Short answer: Yes—usually. Your car isn’t supposed to hum (at least not loudly). If the ... read more

Why Are My Brakes Grinding? Brake Repair in Seaside, Monterey & Pacific Grove Hearing a grinding noise when braking? That awful sound is a warning sign you shouldn’t ignore! Whether you’re driving through Monterey, Seaside, Pacific Grove, or Carmel, CA, worn-out brake pads or damaged rotors could be putting your safety at risk. At Wayside Garage in Seaside, CA, we specialize in brake repair to keep you safe on the road. Here’s what might be causing your grinding brakes and what to do about it. 1. Worn-Out Brake Pads (Most Common Cause!) The #1 reason for grinding brakes is worn-out brake pads. Over time, the friction materia ... read more

Your Car Is a Pot O’ Gold: Why It Pays to Keep Your Older Vehicle I recently had a fantastic conversation with a woman about her car. Connecting with people, hearing their stories, and helping them make the best decisions for their vehicles is what I love most about my job. She and her husband had an older Toyota, and she called me with some concerns. As we talked, she expressed how much they relied on that car—it was their only mode of transportation, and her husband needed it to make a three-hour drive to critical doctor appointments. As we discussed their options, she worried about the car's age and whether it made sense to keep it. We compared the cost of maintaining an older car versus buying a new one. And that’s when it hit me—that car sitting in your driveway is your Pot O’ Gold.The True Cost of a New Car in 2025 It&rsquo ... read more

Mouse vs. Car: Protecting Your Vehicle from Rodent Damage It’s that time of year again—the Season of the Mouse! 🐭🚗 Every year, we see a surprising number of vehicles come into the shop with signs of rodent nests or damage. This year is no exception! In fact, some cases have been so severe that we’ve had to involve the vehicle owner's insurance to cover repairs. Yes, if you have comprehensive coverage, your insurance may cover rodent damage—but wouldn’t it be better to prevent it altogether? Let’s go over some effective deterrents to help keep those pesky mice out of your car. Even trying ... read more