Seaside Auto Repair

Why Does My Car Battery Keep Dying? | Seaside & Monterey Car Battery Help Nothing’s worse than getting into your car, turning the key (or pressing the start button), and… nothing. If you keep needing jump-starts, it’s time to find out why your car battery keeps dying. Whether you're commuting through Monterey, Seaside, Pacific Grove, or Carmel, CA, a weak or dead battery can leave you stranded. At Wayside Garage in Seaside, CA, we diagnose and fix battery issues so you don’t have to worry about your car failing when you need it most. Here’s what might be draining your battery and what you can do about it. 1. Your Battery is Old and Weak Car batteries don&rsqu ... 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

When Should I Replace My Brakes? Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore Your brakes are one of the most important safety features of your car. But how do you know when it’s time to replace them? Ignoring brake problems can lead to expensive repairs—or worse, a dangerous situation on the road. Here are the top warning signs that it’s time for a brake inspection at Wayside Garage. How Do You Know If Your Brakes Need Replacing?Your Car Pulls to One Side When Braking If your vehicle drifts left or right when you press the brake pedal, it could mean uneven brake pad wear or an issue with your brake calipers. A Soft or Spongy Brake Pedal Does your brake pedal feel soft or take longer ... read more

Can I Bring My Own Parts to a Mechanic? Here's What You Need to Know In today’s world, we can find almost anything online with just a few clicks—including car parts. It’s tempting to buy a part yourself, especially when big-name websites spend millions on advertising to convince drivers they’ll save money by ordering direct. But is it really a good idea? Many auto shops, including Wayside Garage, are often asked if we can install customer-supplied parts. While we understand the appeal, there’s one major reason why this isn’t in your best interest: warranty protection.What Happens When a Part Fails? Let’s look at a real-life example to illustrate why purchasing your own parts can lead to unexpected headaches. A few weeks ago, a Jeep came into the shop with a clutch problem. The repair requir ... read more