Your Subaru has a transmission system that enables the smooth transfer of power from the engine to the wheels. Because the system consists of several moving components, it uses the transmission fluid to ensure proper lubrication to prevent friction, wear and tear, and overheating. Overtime, the transmission fluid will begin to break down and lose its effectiveness. When this happens, it exposes your transmission to risks. Flushing old transmission fluid and adding new fluid is the only way to keep your transmission in great condition. At Toole’s Garage in Valley Springs we offer Subaru transmission fluid replacement as one of the hundreds of Subaru maintenance and repair services we perform.   Signs your Subaru needs transmission fluid change As the transmission fluid gets older, it picks up grit and grime. These are the signs your Subaru will express when the transmission fluid is old and dirty. Grinding noises When the transmission sys ... read more

Your Subaru’s proper functioning is determined by the combined efforts of different components in your vehicle. The engine is the one of the most important components in your Subaru. While your vehicle may continue moving if some components are faulty, any problem with your engine may get you stranded on the side of the road. Even though most modern vehicles are self-tuning, we still recommend bringing your Subaru for a tune-up from time to time. Toole’s Garage in San Carlos can provide Subaru tune-up services, along with hundreds of other services your vehicle may require. Even though computers watch over most of the functions that used to be performed during tune-ups, and adjust parameters in real time, sometimes things will get so far out of the normal range that the computer cannot compensate, and a tune up service becomes a necessity. Signs your Subaru is overdue for an engine tune up ... read more

The timing belt might seem unimportant, but it plays a crucial role in the mechanics of your Subaru. It enables your engine to operate by rotating the cam and crankshaft in sync to ensure that each cylinder fires at the right time. It controls the timing of the valves and pistons. Over time, age, heat and possible oil leaks will cause timing belt deterioration and it will need to be replaced. Timing belt replacement is a major undertaking, and you should take your Subaru to a trusted auto repair shop. At Adams Autoworx Albany we have extensive Subaru service and repair experience, and our nationally ASE certified technicians can perform even the most complex Subaru maintenance services and repairs. As the timing belt ages, if not replaced, it will at some point break ( most often one of the teeth will sheer off – it’s still called a “brake”). This can cause serious engine damage that will cost thousands to repair, assuming repairs are advisable. If the worst ca ... read more

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