Catalytic converters rarely fail, since they have no moving parts. Thus catalytic converter replacement used to be a once-in-a-while repair. If your Toyota’s catalytic converter failed, we could order a replacement, and have the repair done in a day. But for the last 3 years or so, catalytic converter theft has resulted in a vast increase in catalytic converter replacements at our Stockton auto care facility.  Often we also have to repair damage done by thieves that extends to other components. In particular, oxygen sensors often get damaged during catalytic converter theft. Unfortunately for Toyota owners, Toyota Prius is the most frequent victim of the catalytic converter theft. It takes a professional thief less than 2 minutes to steal the catalytic converter, yet he can sell it for hundreds of dollars. We recommend keeping your vehicles inside the garage at night. If you have to park outside, try to find an area that is near a street light – it deters thieves. An ... read more

About 4 months ago we noticed that the parking lot at the Tesla factory in Fremont, CA was full of Tesla vehicles - something we never noticed before. In January Tesla lowered prices of their vehicles amid the news that they were not selling as briskly as they used to. That was good news for consumers. Now for the latest bad news - in Q4 2022 fuel expense to drive 100 miles in a typical electric vehicle cost more than driving a typical internal combustion engine car. Anderson Economic Group( AEG) reported that in Q4 2022 typical mid-priced internal combustion engine vehicle drivers paid $11.29 for fuel to drive 100 miles. That was 31 cents cheaper than mid-priced electric vehicle drivers had to pay to travel 100 miles - if they charged at home. If the EV drivers charged their vehicles at a commercial facility, they paid $3 more per 100 miles. With continuing inflation, the cost of electricity is up, while the seasonal drop in demand for gasoline has caused the prices to come down ... read more

Your Audi’s AC was designed to keep you cool and comfortable whenever you’re behind the wheel. It is especially helpful in the summer months when extreme heat causes a lot of sweating. Because of the vital function the AC system plays, it’s important to ensure that it’s in top working condition – Diablo Auto Specialists provides comprehensive Walnut Creek Audi AC repair services. Old age and frequent usage may lead to some components getting worn and damaged. When this happens, your AC may fail to provide the right temperature. Warning signs your Audi AC needs repair Knowing the warning signs of a failing AC can help you nip the problem in the bud, so you don’t end up in a sweaty mess while driving. Weak airflow The number one sign that your Audi’s AC is overdue for service or repairs is that the airflow drops until it is non-existent. When a vehicle’s AC stops blowing cool air, it could be due to a f ... read more

While Toyota Prius vehicles can be seen everywhere on the Bay Area roads, nobody has ever accused it of being stylish or slick. This is about to change. The new 2023 Toyota Prius looks pretty darn sporty, and it has more interior space and more power as well. According to the MotorTrend magazine, it’d equipped with lithium-ion battery that provides 15% more output, while being more compact, thus freeing up some interior and trunk space. It also delivers 57mpg ( combined) mileage. Previous version delivered 52 mpg, so almost 10% improvement. Moreover, it can go from 0-60 in around 7 seconds – not a pocket-rocket, but pretty respectable. Check out some pictures on the MotorTrend site. Naturally, the new Prius is only meant to fill the gap before the EVs from Toyota take over. Toyota has committed to investing $35 billion towards development of electric vehicles through 2032, and it promises to de ... read more

Mazda vehicles are not only economical, but more and more stylish - as a matter of fact, recently we saw Mazda CX-5 in metallic paint on I-580 going towards Castro Valley – it looked so cool that a number of Teslas and Porsches were crowding around to take a look. But Mazda is not just about looks, it’s a no-nonsense vehicle that will take you where you need to go, though of course if you own a Miata or abovementioned CX-5, it will take you there in style. Like all vehicles, your Mazda requires regular maintenance – at Adams Autoworx in Castro Valley we offer comprehensive Mazda services and repairs. Our technicians, nationally ASE certified, can provide your vehicle with manufacturer recommended services, diagnostics, and all major repairs as well. We routinely see following Mazda models: Mazda MX-5 Miata, Mazda 3, Mazda 6, Mazda CX-5, CX-3, CX-9 and Mazda CX-30 as well. Some Mazda models are known for specific problems – if  you own on ... read more

  Ignition coils make it possible for spark plugs to generate the sparks that ignite air-fuel mixture that powers the internal combustion engine. Ignition coils transform low voltage from the car battery into high voltage that spark plugs require to generate the sparks. Over time, ignition coils may fail. When the ignition coil starts to fail, you may notice a number of behaviors that are not typical for your vehicle. You may notice that the check engine light came “on”, or that there is loss of power, or slow acceleration. Engine may run poorly, it may misfire, or it may even stall. These are all symptoms that indicate something is seriously wrong – but it takes a professional mechanic with professional diagnostic tools and skills to track down all the possibilities and get to the root cause of the problem. If it turns out that ignition coil is at fault, ignition coil replacement will fix the problem. Generally we recommend replacing all ignition coils at the ... read more

Tesla vehicles have taken California by storm – whether in Southern California or Northern California – you can see them everywhere. One of the recurring needs of Tesla owners is wheel alignment. Electric vehicles tend to be hard on tires. Any time you do tire replacement, wheel alignment is indicated. Due to rapid acceleration, it’s also easy for a Tesla to bump into curbs, parking stalls, etc. Any time your vehicle bumps into things, there is a high probability of wheels going out of alignment. Over time, misaligned wheels will cause accelerated and uneven tire wear, resulting in premature need for tire replacement. At Adams Autoworx in Castro Valley we offer professional Tesla wheel alignments – our newest computerized alignment machine can detect and correct misalignment as slight as 1/100 of an inch. Yes, that’s the accuracy we can achieve, and recommend for your Tesla. Even slight misalignment can cause accelerated tire wear, so having your Tesla ... read more

A while back we wrote about California’s plan to ban sale of internal combustion engine vehicles by 2035. Well… Wyoming legislators introduced a resolution to ban sale of electric vehicles by 2035. Sponsors mentioned that there is no infrastructure in the state to support electric vehicles, and that electric vehicles do not contribute to state’s economy – whereas fossil fuels are a major industry in Wyoming. One of the sponsors pointed out that his goal was not to ban electric vehicles, but rather to bring attention to other state governments banning gasoline powered cars. Wyoming is known for its laissez-faire attitude and free market inclinations. Wyoming government is one of the few state governments that are truly fiscally conservative and runs a budget surplus, even though Wyoming does not collect state individual income tax or state corporate tax. The resolution is unlikely to become a law but it did bring attention to the heavy handed behavior of many ... read more

An oil change is one of the essential maintenance services that should not be put off. This is because motor oil is the lifeblood of your engine, providing lubrication for fast-moving parts. Over time, the oil will become dirty and contaminated, necessitating a change. Timely oil changes extend engine’s longevity and enhance its overall performance. Fortunately, with the new synthetic engine oils, you don’t have to get engine oil changed as often as in the past. If your Audi uses full synthetic engine oil, the rule of thumb is to change the oil every 5,000 miles or 6 months. You Owner’s Manual will provide manufacturer recommendations which, ideally, you would follow. We cannot overstress the importance of regular engine oil change. Regular service is required to keep the manufacturer’s warranty in force, but it’s the other benefits that make regular oil change so valuable. Fresh engine oil provides better lubrication, thus putting less strain on the eng ... read more

Everyone knows how essential the braking system is to their safety and that of their passengers but many vehicle owners forget to get the brake fluid changed regularly. Although the brake fluid is capable of withstanding high pressure and temperature caused by friction, it can lose its effectiveness over time due to buildup of dirt and particles. Brake fluid also absorbs water from the environment, and over time increased water content can cause braking problems, and in severe cases, outright brake failure. That’s why Toole’s Garage offers brake fluid testing and brake fluid change at our Stockton, CA auto care facility. Signs your Audi needs a brake fluid change service It’s vital to know when the brake fluid is losing its hydraulic power and your Audi will usually let you know by giving off warning signs. Here are a few to note: Longer braking distance When you press the pedal, the brake fluid transforms the force into pressure t ... read more