Huntington Beach Auto Repair

Welcome to April’s blog! We’re looking over the pros and cons of maintaining your car as opposed to buying a new one when things begin to fall apart. It’s straightforward to tell where an auto mechanic stands: fix your car. But we often see customers bringing in vehicles that are just beyond fixing. They’ve waited too long, pushed it too far, and done the kind of irreparable damage to their engine that makes us wince. We have to advise them that they’d be better off getting a new car and letting go of their current model.  The unfortunate part about that is how much money the client is losing. Preventative maintenance saves money. It costs considerably less to bring your car to the auto mechanic at regular intervals and trust their instruction. You should believe a qualified mechanic when they tell you, “You’ll need to get that timing belt replaced in a few months,” than to drive for an additional year and then have the timing belt ... read more

The check engine light is one of the more mysterious parts of your vehicle. It seems like it can come on right out of the blue, leaving you to wonder what in the world is wrong. As technology continues to advance on vehicles today, trying to discover the exact reason why that light comes on eludes even the most conscientious of drivers. In the end, this is a warning light that should not be ignored. As such, it is wise to know ahead of time what you should do if your check engine light comes on. See a Certified Technician You will want to keep in mind that the check engine light in your vehicle is designed to be a warning signal. While it might not always be clear what it is warning you about, the key is that something may be amiss with your car. To regain the confidence that you need while driving your vehicle, you will want to take it to a certified technician right away. These are professionals who know exactly where to look to determine why the check engine light has come on in t ... read more

Welcome to our March blog! We hope the arrival of spring means good things for you and your family this year. As the seasons change, so does the focus. We strive to be cool in the summer and warm in the winter, in moderate, gentle ways. Have you ever looked at HB Auto & AC’s banner and wondered what the AC stands for? It means air conditioning, but that ‘AC’ might seem incredibly out of place in a temperate location like California.  AC is not a typical auto repair focus, but AC is most definitely our focus here at HB Auto & AC. We’re known around Huntington Beach or Fountain Valley as the AC experts. So what makes HB Auto & AC the place to go to first for air conditioning auto repairs? In the simplest terms, after owning a radiator shop over 25 years that’s the way things turned out. When owner Chris Ramirez began working on cars, he found AC units a big focus of his business. Some interesting times put car after car in his garage for ... read more

There are so many things you have to keep in mind as a car owner. Once you purchase the vehicle, it becomes your responsibility to keep up with the maintenance so that it will run efficiently and safely for your years of ownership. It's important to keep track of regularly scheduled maintenance items and you may also want to know how some things operate so you understand what it needs and when. The timing belt, for example, is something that has to be replaced every now and then What The Timing Belt Does The timing belt controls the engine's rotation and how the valves open and close to let air and gas into and out of the engine. It coordinates the engine's functions and causes the fuel to ignite in the proper chamber. As you can tell from that explanation, it does a lot and is a very important part of the overall function of the vehicle. Replacement Needs The timing belt is crucial to the engine function so you will want to replace it ... read more

Photo by Josh Duke on Unsplash It’s February, and that means we’re in the shortest month of the year. It’s also the month of St. Valentine’s Day, where people look to either validate or re-evaluate their relationships in their lives. So if the last few months have made you feel a little cramped at home, this is an excellent time to get yourself together and do something romantic for your partner. We’re still stuck with COVID19 making our lives a little less wonderful at the moment, but that’s what makes road trips so wonderful. California has lots of beauty in the outdoors, especially along the Pacific Coast. There are a host of destinations you can go to for a romantic excursion with enough space ... read more

Most car accidents are caused by brakes. Sadly, brakes are among the car components that people think least about, yet they are components that should be in the best working conditions. You don't have to wait until your brakes are totally worn out before you change them. Here are the five signs that you need new brakes. 1. Vibration The main cause of motor vehicle vibration when braking is warped rotors. Rotors get warped when you like braking in harsh conditions that cause undue friction on your braking system. Vibrations feel like the feedback you get in your brake pedal during an emergency stop. Another cause of vibration is the misalignment of the vehicle. So you need to have your vehicle checked before you victimize the brake system. 2. Fading or Reduced responsiveness If you notice that it gradually takes longer for your brakes to respond and the car to stop than it used to be, check your brake pads. This is also the case when the brakes respond only when the brake peda ... read more

If a truck uses coil springs, it is necessary to check any errors in them. Any slight error may lead to damage to other parts or damaging the coils further. The following are the symptoms of broken coil springs Vehicle sag Underside noise Tire wear Vehicle sway Bouncing movements Vehicle sag The main use of the coil springs is to balance the trucks from the underside. Without the springs in place, the truck would sag into the downward direction. Such a sag depicts a defect in the coil springs. When a sagging track can be seen in several ways. A litmus analogy of the normal truck sag is when sitting on the driver's seat. There is a feeling of leaning backward depicting a change of defect in the coil springs. Underside Noise Do you like unsettling noise in your track? I bet no. An evident advantage of the coil springs is the prevention of underside noise when no suspension system is in place. It is a very good idea to have coil springs to av ... read more

There’s nothing more alarming than returning to your car and finding it unable to start. Some drivers are experiencing problems with their starter but get it confused with other common mechanical issues. Your vehicle’s battery powers the starter. The starter consists of a small electric motor and a relay that cranks the engine on. The starter relay is situated between the motor and the battery, where it transmits power. Below are five ways to tell if your vehicle is experiencing starter issues.  The lights come on, but the engine doesn’t.  When you stick the key in the ignition, the engine should turn over. However, if you start the engine and only the dashboard lights come on, there may be a starter problem.  There’s an unusual clicking sound.  If there’s a noticeable clicking sound when you turn your ignition or push to start, the starter may have gone bad. A clicking sound is usually a warning th ... read more

No matter what the temperature is outdoors, your vehicle has moving engine components operating in sweltering conditions. The radiator comes into play by circulating coolant throughout the engine. The radiator helps keep the engine cool enough to function but hot enough that its moving parts can still convert energy. It's common knowledge that the radiator is an essential part of the cooling system, but it's difficult to detect when something is wrong. Below are a few symptoms to look out for that may indicate the radiator isn't working properly. This isn't an exhaustive list, and you may notice more than one symptom happening at one time.  Coolant Leak Depending on the type of coolant your vehicle uses, the coolant may be green, red, or yellow. Its primary function is to cool the engine. The radiator is composed of metal and plastic parts. Over time the plastic material may start to crack or become brittle. If there's a radiator leak, you may notic ... read more

The alternator, also known as the synchronous generator, serves an essential function of a vehicle’s charging system. The alternator is a component every driver has heard of but may not understand. While a vehicle is running, the alternator works to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. The alternator provides alternating electrical currents that may periodically reverse directions. There are several complicated mechanical components that work together to power the engine, and with time they can fall apart. Depending on driving habits, an alternator can last anywhere from 5 to 8 years. You may be able to drive with an alternator that’s experiencing minor issues, but with time causes more damage. It will struggle to power the battery, requiring frequent jump-starts to drive. This makes it important to be able to identify a few common signs that the alternator needs immediate service.  The Battery is Dead The alternator charges the battery while your vehicle ... read more