Seaside Auto Repair

🛢️ Why Is There Oil Under My Car? (What That Puddle Means and How to Fix It) So you pull out of your driveway and there it is—a dark puddle under your car. It smells a little burnt, feels slick, and definitely wasn’t there yesterday. The most likely culprit? An oil leak. At Wayside Garage, we see this every week. And while oil leaks can look scary, the fix is often faster and more affordable than most people think. 🔍 What Causes Oil to Leak? Here are the most common sources of oil leaks we find during inspections: Worn valve cover gaskets – These seals degrade over time, especially in older vehicles. Oil pan gasket leak &nda ... read more

🚙 Why Does My Car Shake When I Brake? (And What You Can Do About It Before It Gets Worse) That shaky, vibrating feeling when you hit the brakes isn’t just uncomfortable — it’s a red flag. Whether you feel it in your steering wheel, seat, or even your brake pedal, shaking when braking is one of the most common brake system complaints we see at Wayside Garage. The good news? It’s almost always fixable, and often at a much lower cost than people expect. 🔍 What Causes Your Car to Shake When Braking? The most likely culprits are: Warped brake rotors – When rotors wear unevenly, the pads don’t grip smoothly, causing vibration. Worn-out brake pads – If pads are low or uneven, they can cause pulsing or s ... read more

❄️ Why Isn’t My AC Blowing Cold Air? (And How to Fix It Before Summer Hits)Meta Description: Is your car’s AC not blowing cold air? Find out the most common causes and affordable fixes to stay cool this summer. There’s nothing worse than hitting the road on a warm day and realizing your AC is blowing warm, stale air. If you’re wondering why your car’s AC isn't working like it used to, you're not alone. At Wayside Garage, we see this issue spike every spring. The good news? Many fixes are quick, affordable, and can save you from sweating it out all summer. 🔍 Why Is My AC Not Blowing Cold? Here are the most common reasons your AC is failing to cool: Low refrigeran ... read more

🔧 What Does the PO430 Code Mean? (And Why Your Check Engine Light Is On) You’re driving along, everything feels fine—and then bam, your check engine light comes on. A quick scan reveals the dreaded PO430 code. Now what? Don’t panic! At Wayside Garage, we see this code all the time, and it doesn’t always mean your catalytic converter needs replacing (but sometimes it does 😬). Let’s break it down. 🔍 What Is Code PO430? PO430: Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 2) This means your vehicle's computer has detected that the catalytic converter on one side of the engine (Bank 2) isn’t working as efficiently as it should. In simple terms: it’s not cleaning up the exhaust gases properly ... read more

🌡️ Why Is My Coolant Level Low? (And What It Means for Your Engine’s Health) If you’ve popped the hood lately and noticed your coolant tank looking a little empty, don’t brush it off. Low coolant levels can quickly turn into overheating, engine damage, and a whole lot of stress. At Wayside Garage, we see this issue all the time—and the good news is, it's usually fixable when caught early. 🔍 What Causes Low Coolant Levels? There are a few common culprits behind disappearing coolant: Leaks – This is the #1 reason. Leaks can happen in the radiator, hoses, water pump, or heater core. Evaporation over time – While rare, coolant can slowly evaporate if cap ... read more