Santa Ana Auto Repair

A tire or wheel alignment is recommended in order to help your tires perform properly and help them last longer. Undergoing a tire alignment also improves handling and keeps your vehicle from pulling in one direction. What is a tire alignment? When we refer to an “alignment” we are talking about an adjustment to your vehicle's suspension. Not an adjustment of the actual tires or wheels themselves. A proper tire alignment makes sure your car drives straight and handles properly, ultimately making your ride safer. Also, your vehicle tends to get better gas mileage after an alignment, because your tires will be properly aligned with the road. Some vehicles require only that the front wheels be aligned, but this is not standard. Most vehicles require a four-wheel alignment. Tire alignment differs by vehicle make and model, which is why you may want to do a bit of research before bringing it in to your local mechanic. (Of course you're always welcome to bring it into Saddlebac ... read more

Today's vehicles differ significantly from those of decades past that required a tune-up every 20,000-30,000 miles. Vehicles on the road today have moving parts and components that are built to last much longer (100,000 miles+) before requiring service. But that doesn't mean you should ignore telltale signs of engine trouble. Sluggish. Squealing. Vibrating. Shaking. If any of these describe your vehicle's recent behavior, it might be time for a tune-up. If your vehicle's engine misfires, stalls, gets poor gas mileage, or simply doesn't feel right, our automotive technicians have the experience and skill to diagnose your problem and repair it. What are the signs and symptoms that might make you think your vehicle needs a tune-up? A misfiring engine: Worn spark plugs often ignite at the wrong time, causing the engine to misfire. Bad spark plugs can also cause low fuel economy, hard starting, and sluggish acceleration. Most plugs, though, should last ... read more

One of the most crucial ingredients to making your engine run is motor oil, your car can't live without it. Making sure you get regular oil changes, maintain the proper oil level, and of course, using the right type of oil are mandatory steps to maintaining the performance of your car. Without it, all the moving parts in your engine would lose lubrication, overheat, and eventually weld to each other, completely ruining your engine. Not all drivers know what type of oil their car needs, even though it is so vital to your engine's health. Sometimes your car's owners manual will list the proper motor oil to use, but it is important to know the ins and outs of motor oil in case you ever find yourself needing some. Know Your Engine Different weights of oil have different viscosities, can handle different temperatures, and may have different additives to assist in its job. Here we will break down what you need to know about motor ... read more

Beyond Oil Changes and Tire Rotations Owning a car can be one of the more rewarding life milestones, but we all know that with car ownership comes inevitable car repairs. Car repairs are not only frustrating, they can be expensive. Newer cars are being built to last longer, but with that innovation, repairs are more difficult than they used to be. Some built-in systems are being designed to be harder for repair technicians to get into, so it sometimes becomes necessary to have it maintained by the dealership or manufacturer. There are several routine problems that have been cited as being the most commonly seen, and repaired, car issues throughout the U.S. Below are some problems to keep an eye out for, and what to expect with them: Oxygen Sensor Replacement This replacement is very common with older cars, it is a component in your exhaust system that detects oxygen in the exhaust that hasn't been combuste ... read more

We decided to discontinue smog testing so that we could focus purely on automotive repair services, and deliver a higher quality of service to our wonderful clients. If you need a smog check we can recommend a reputable test-only center.- Saddleback Mgmt At Saddleback Auto Repair & Smog, we're certified to smog all vehicles, including vehicles that require regular smog checks, and gross polluters. The State of California requires new and current residents to have their vehicle smog-checked in order for it to earn or maintain registration. These tests are used to hopefully improve the quality of air we breathe, to monitor potentially dangerous emissions from vehicles, and to reduce the air pollution caused by the millions of cars driven in the State. For current residents, this means that you must take your vehicle to a smog-check inspection center every two years in order to renew your registration. For those who have recently moved to California ... read more