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

How Often Should You Get an Oil Change? | Seaside & Monterey Oil Change Service Regular oil changes are one of the best ways to keep your engine running smoothly and prevent expensive repairs. If you're driving in Monterey, Seaside, Pacific Grove, or Carmel, CA, keeping up with routine oil changes ensures your car stays reliable and fuel-efficient. At Wayside Garage in Seaside, CA, we offer a premium oil change service that includes: ✔ Engine oil & filter replacement (up to 5 quarts of oil) ✔ Digital Vehicle Inspection (DVI) or Vehicle Health Inspectio ... read more

Why Is My Check Engine Light On? | Seaside & Monterey Auto Repair It’s never a good feeling when your check engine light suddenly turns on. Is it a small issue, or is your engine about to fail? If you're driving in Monterey, Seaside, Pacific Grove, or Carmel, CA, and see that dreaded dashboard warning, don’t panic—Wayside Garage in Seaside, CA, is here to help! Your check engine light could be triggered by something minor like a loose gas cap or a serious problem like an engine misfire. Let’s break down the most common causes, what they mean, and when you should seek professional help ... read more

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