Huntington Beach Auto Repair

Halloween is around the corner, and it’s no secret that on Halloween night, children will be walking around the streets going from door to door to trick-or-treat and spend time with friends and family. With the increase of kids on the street, it is important that we all practice safe driving on Halloween in order to ensure the safety of all and keep this holiday fun and stress-free.  When driving through neighborhoods on Halloween, be sure to drive slowly and carefully. Be aware of your surroundings and any children that are nearby. Always stop for pedestrians at crosswalks and stop signs so that they can cross safely. Be extra careful when backing out of your driveway as well - children could be passing behind you and may not notice that you are reversing. Also take caution while pulling into driveways and approach slowly.  If you have children who will be participating in trick-or-treating, be sure to remind your kids to be safe. Remind them not to walk on dark stre ... read more

A power steering fluid exchange is one of those services that may not be required very often, but may be necessary on older vehicles or vehicles will very high mileage. A power steering fluid exchange consists of removing the old fluid, cleaning out the fluid chamber, and putting in fresh fluid. It's not necessarily a required service, but can definitely be a key factor in vehicle maintenance for older cars.  If a mechanic checks your power steering fluid and finds that it looks really dirty, they may suggest a power steering fluid flush or exchange. So what does this power steering fluid actually do? The job of the power steering fluid is to help you make sure that you can turn your steering wheel accurately and without problem.  However, as it is with all fluids, the power steering fluid will become dirty and break down over extended periods of time. Therefore, this service is typically recommended every 100,000 miles or so and don't worry - it is a fairly inexpen ... read more

The key to good car maintenance is prevention. When you have your vehicle serviced and inspected regularly, you in turn prevent major issues from happening which can end up costing you thousands of dollars in the long run. Every 6 months, it can be extremely helpful to inspect the following items in your car: Tread depth, tire pressure, and how the tire is wearing Check fluid levels and color/clarify of fluid, including motor oil, coolant, and brake fluid Inspect filters for dirt and grime Inspect headlights, blinkers, and brakes lights to ensure working condition and clarity Change windshield wipers every 6 months While some of these items you can attempt to check at home, for a more thorough and expert opinion, the experts here at H B Auto & AC have got you covered. We can help you stay on top of your vehicle's services and inspections to catch issues early on. Give us a call or stop by today! 

You're driving and you start to smell something strange - whether it's coming from under the hood, the exhaust, or through the air vents, you may be concerned. A strange smell can often indicate an issue, so its important not to ignore it.  Here are the most common smells associated with car issues and what they can mean: Moldy - A moldy or musty smell when the A/C is on can indicate mold or mildew has actually formed somewhere in the air vents. Burning smell - A burning smell can come from a few different places, but most commonly can indicate a timing belt or drive belt issue. It can also indicate engine and transmission problems.  Rotten eggs - The smell of rotten eggs can indicate an issue with your emissions system, and more specifically the catalytic converter. This is an important problem to repair quickly, especially because a failing emissions system can put you and your passengers at risk to being exposed to harsh gases.  Gas - If yo ... read more

Spring and summer bring the warmer weather, and a lot of families will be planning road trips to enjoy the weather and have some fun during school breaks and vacations. If you’re planning a road trip soon, don’t forget to account for having your vehicle inspected before you hit the road. Many of us forget that our vehicles may not be in the best shape for a long drive, and the best way to protect yourself from unwanted breakdowns and stressful situations is to ensure that your vehicle is ready for the trip.  Before you embark on your road trip, be sure to go over our pre-road trip vehicle checklist to ensure that you’re vehicle stays reliable and dependable on your vacation or bring your vehicle into our shop for a check of the following: Check Brakes and Battery - Brakes should be properly working and check that the battery doesn’t have any signs of excessive corrosion. It also doesn’t hurt to have the life of your battery tested.  Check Tire ... read more

Nobody wants to get stuck during the spring or summer warmth without working air conditioning. If you try to turn on your A/C and no air blows out, or maybe only hot air blows out and it never gets colder, there’s something wrong with an A/C component. The A/C system is actually very complex, and therefore there are a number of different reasons why the system can fail. Here are some of the top causes of A/C system failure:  Refrigerant leak Failed compressor Deteriorated refrigerant hoses Mold or mildew buildup Faulty cooling fan Broken seal or hose The best way to ensure that your vehicle’s air conditioning will work properly throughout the spring and summer is to have your system inspected by one of our experts regularly. Routine A/C inspections will allow us to catch small problems early on before they turn into more expensive issues.  If there is a problem with your vehicle’s air conditioning system, you may notice one or more of the following sy ... read more

It’s important to have ASE certified auto mechanics on speed dial. Not only can we swoop into action when you need auto repairs to be carried out, we can also work with you to keep your car in tip top condition using genuine manufacturer recommended parts and the kind of craft and expertise that can only come from over 25 years in the field. Oil servicing Without regular oil changes, your oil can become thick and black like treacle. When this happens it is unable to give your vehicle’s moving parts the essential lubrication that they need to work properly and keep your car healthy. Most manufacturers recommend that you change your oil every 10,000 miles or 12 months (whichever comes first). As your vehicle ages you may also need to change your oil and pollen filter, your spark plugs or your fuel filter. We can help to ... read more

Perhaps the most dangerous item in your vehicle besides an irresponsible driver is the gas tank. The specialized care to repair, clean, remove and reinstall is old hat to us having had previous 25 years experience as a Radiator Shop. The gas tank sending unit, Fuel Pump and now EVAP System is all in a days work for our technicians at HB Auto & AC. California smog requirements demand near perfect performance to the point that a leaking gas cap will trigger a "Check Engine" light on your dash. Your vehicle has an EVAP hose from your vehicle's gas tank to the engine's charcoal canister. The charcoal canister is usually located in a corner of the engine compartment, is a black container filled with charcoal pellets that absorb fuel vapors. Some are located in the engine compartment, some near the vehicle's gas tanks in order to maximize efficiency. It is our pleasure to repair any problems you may have in this area

As a former Radiator Shop owner I find the term "Winterizing" a little misleading. Basically if the cooling system is properly maintained, IT IS "Winterized"! Your Cooling system is under the harshest conditions during the Summer. With the proper amount of antifreeze the boiling point of your radiator fluid is over 40 degrees more from boiling over than 100% water. With the added pressurized radiator cap giving the mixture another 3 more degrees per added pound of pressure, the boiling point can be raised to over 300 degrees before it starts to boil! The main aspect of Winterizing your cooling system is the usual added 50% of antifreeze most vehicles have. That will protect from freezing and expanding in your engine should the ambient temperatures drop as low as 10 degrees below Fahrenheit. Not many places a Southern Californian will find that cold. A Minnesotan in 30 below will have the 100% antifreeze in their vehicle. It will protect all the way to 60 below. Way too cold to ... read more

New brakes are responsive. New brakes are effective. New brakes can bring you to a decisive halt when you need to perform an emergency stop. However, worn brakes are not as responsive and can seriously compromise your ability to stop in an emergency. The trouble is that brakes don’t go bad overnight. Brakes lose their efficacy with months and years of continuous wear. Rarely do we notice that our brakes are less responsive than they used to be. We simply get used to the gradual change in their performance and don’t notice the difference until we schedule for a routine brakes service. But damaged or worn brakes are more than just a safety hazard… Bad brakes can damage your car! When we fail to give our brakes the TLC that they deserve they can go on to have a knock-on effect on the rest of the car. Leave your b ... read more