South San Francisco Auto Repair

Is your vehicle's AC blowing some hot air? Well, that's welcome in the winter cold, but that might be uncomfortable in summer. A broken car conditioner can make summer a sweaty, hot, and wet experience! Here are six probable problem areas to check and possible problems. Refrigerant problems A refrigerant or coolant expands after absorbing heat from your vehicle's AC system, which later gets condensed to dissipate the heat. The coolant is housed in an air-tight and sealed system. When the refrigerant evaporates or escapes, the cooling system fails, and the AC cannot cool your vehicle. Topping up your coolant is the ultimate solution for such a problem. A damaged electrical system An electrical system powers your car's AC system. As such, the failure of any electrical system units can cause a malfunction of the AC system. Check your relays, fuses, and switches if a damaged electrical system is your suspected failure. Damaged condenser The condenser plays an importa ... read more

The power steering system allows drivers to steer and maneuver with little-to-no effort, allowing them to focus on the road. It is a hydraulic system that uses power steering fluid to build the necessary pressure to change the direction of your wheels. When your vehicle’s power steering goes out, you may need to do more than a slight tug to turn your car. In severe cases, you might not be able to move the steering wheel at all. Today, we will discuss the most common power steering problems and how we can fix them at Taylormade Automotive. Leaking Fluid - Power steering fluid is one of many liquids that power your car’s systems. Over time, this fluid becomes less effective and is susceptible to contamination. This can cause corrosion, which eventually leads to leaks. Failing Steering Pump - The power steering pump is one of those components that may require replacing after some time. When the pump loses its integrity, it will lead to a loss in pressure.  Old Drive Be ... read more

When your braking system is working correctly, you probably take it for granted. However, the braking system is one of the most vital parts of your vehicle, and it keeps you and others safe. You need to know enough about your braking system to ensure it is working properly. One fact to fathom is the difference between brake pads and brake shoes. Though they are different, they perform the same task. Read on to find out the difference between brake pads and shoes. Brake Pads vs Brake Shoes Most modern braking systems contain disc brakes with braking pads. Brake pads are flat pieces of steel with high-friction material like rubber on either side. On the other hand, a brake shoe is a curved piece of metal that looks like a shoe that is used in brake drum systems. Only one side of the brake shoe is covered in friction material. Braking Force Direction One of the primary differences between brake pads and brake shoes is the direction of braking force. Brake shoes stop the car by pushin ... read more

In order to make sure all your drives feel smooth and stable, you need to stay on top of your suspension system. The suspension comprises many parts, including shocks and struts,  that play a role in supporting the weight of your vehicle, absorbing the road impacts so that your car doesn’t bounce, and protecting your safety. Below are 6 warning signs that indicate your shocks or struts have gone bad: Vehicle Drifting  If your car sways left or right when you make turns, it is a sign that your suspension is loose or worn. To put your mind at ease, bring your vehicle to our shop for an inspection. Bumpy Rides With poor suspension parts, even the smoothest roads may feel rough and bumpy. If your car feels uneasy driving over smooth, paved roads, it is surely a cause for concern. Uneven Tires When your car bounces excessively with bad suspension, the tires on your vehicle aren’t able to grip the road properly. As a consequence, you may notice uneven patches on y ... read more

For many of us, Labor Day marks the end of summer. Many Americans love to take advantage of the longer weekend to squeeze out small and fun getaway. Whether you are planning to stay in the Bay Area or not for the holiday, you can anticipate packed traffic.   To keep you and your loved ones safe this Labor Day, the team at Taylormade Automotive has compiled the following driving safety tips: Buckle up – A basic rule that you should already be practicing anyway, but we thought we'd share the reminder! Avoid driving with fatigue – Make sure you get plenty of sleep and take regular breaks on long road trips.  Put the cell phone down and away – Cell phone usage is at the top of the list when it comes to distracted driving. If you need to send a text, make a call, or read instructions, pull over or get help from another passenger.  Don't drink and drive - You may partake in some celebratory fun, but make sure you drink responsibly. Always have a ... read more

Although the summer lets you enjoy the outdoors, the accompanying flurries of dirt and dust, high temperatures, and occasional rain may take a toll on your vehicle's systems. Luckily, preventative solutions are available to help keep your car in pristine condition and operating efficiently throughout the summer. Read on to find out more. Change the Oil If your vehicle still uses conventional oil, experts recommend that you change it after the 5,000-mile mark during the summer. For cars that use synthetic oil, the change should take place after around 7,500 miles. While you're at it, ensure you check the manufacturer's recommendations on oil change intervals as well as oil brand and weight. Check the Coolant Levels The coolant in your vehicle's radiator works overtime during the summer. Besides preventing the engine from overheating, it lubricates the water pump and sa ... read more

Wheel alignments are necessary for protecting your tire life and your vehicle safety. Read on to learn more about when it's the right time to head to our auto shop for a wheel alignment. When you experience any of the symptoms below, please take your car to Taylormade Automotive Inc for a wheel alignment. Steering Wheel Not Centered After you make a turn, your steering wheel should naturally fall back to the center position. If it can’t get the steering wheel to its original position, it means your wheels are misaligned. You may also notice that the steering wheel looks off when driving straight. Premature Tire Wear If your tires are wearing down too quickly, it is often a result of poor tire maintenance. If you notice unusual tread patterns or bald spots, it's likely time for a wheel alignment service. Car Pulling to One Side If your vehicle keeps pulling left or right when driving straight, it is a tell-tale sign that your alignment is off. This can be very danger ... read more

Besides the engine, the transmission system is one of the most important and expensive vehicles. If it wears down, a complete rebuild or replacement is necessary to restore its operation. However, if you catch red flags early on, you can bypass them with transmission repairs. Read on to learn about the early signs that indicate your transmission may need repairs. Sign #1 – Delayed Gear Shifts If you’re shifting from one gear to another, your automatic transmission should kick in swiftly. A transmission that is failing won’t engage right away. A similar response can occur in a manual transmission, although that can often be fixed by swapping out the clutch. Sign #2 - Transmission Fluid Leak A transmission fluid leak is one of the easiest to identify. It is the only liquid in your car that is red in color with a distinctive smell. If you see this under your parked car, you know that you have a transmission fluid leak. Neglecting this fluid puddle can lead to more ex ... read more

Pets and children mean things can get messy. When taking them in the car, it's inevitable that the car will be a mess with them. However, it is possible to keep the car organized if you have both pets and kids. Here are some tips for keeping your car clean when you're going for a ride with your pets and children. Keep pets in one spot While this may be easier said than done, if the pet is in one spot, there won't be a lot of pet hair to clean up. A restraint or crate can help with this. Pets that's allowed to move around in the vehicle not only spread hair etc. everywhere, but they can distract you while you drive. With that said, it's best to keep them in one spot to make cleaning easier. Have mats and seat covers Kids can be very messy, so having mats and seat covers will be a lifesaver. Most of them are liquid proof, and it'll make cleanup much easier. It'll also reduce the chance of any interior being ruined. The best mats for the car while riding wi ... read more

One thing that all drivers should learn how to properly is how to jumpstart their vehicle. While it may seem easy to grab the jumper cables and start connecting, they can be dangerous if you don't use them correctly. Here are some of the most common mistakes that people often make regarding jumper cables: Storing them incorrectly - Like the car battery, jumper cables can corrode in certain conditions. When they start to break down, you should throw them out instead of attempting to use them. Please remember to store these cables in a dry and closed area to preserve them. Failing to properly connect the clamps to their connection points - Making the wrong connections can lead to accidents like fires and explosions. In other words, you could damage your vehicle even more if you don't know what you're doing. Please remember to clamp the clips in the following order: Red to dead Red to donor Black to donor Black to bare metal Doing it with no gloves or protection for ... read more