Seaside Auto Repair

Why Won’t My Car Start? How to Prevent a Dead Battery It’s Monday. It’s raining. You have just enough time to get to work or school. You grab your keys, jump in the car, turn the ignition, and… Click. Click. Click. NO! Almost everyone has faced this dreaded moment—the culprit? Your car battery. Why does a dead battery always seem to strike when you need your car the most? While we can’t control bad timing, we can take steps to avoid—or at least limit—the chances of being stranded with a dead battery. Why Is Your Car Battery So Important? Whether you drive an electric vehicle (EV), a hybrid, or a gas-powered car, your vehicle depends on a healthy battery ... 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

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

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