San Mateo auto repair

There is a lot of ambiguity on what exactly a classic car is and what sets it apart from vintage and antique cars. To the average person, the term "classic" is interchangeably used when describing any old car that looks like it doesn't belong on the roads with modern motorists.   Vintage vs. Classic vs. Antique Cars  According to the American Collectors Community, there are some criteria for making a vehicle "classic" or "antique": model year and historical status. Below are all three types of non-modern cars and their generally agreed-upon age requirements: Vintage Car: Made between 1919 and 1930 Antique Car: Made 1975 or earlier  Classic Car: Made 1990 or earlier  In other words, the classic car terminology applies to vehicles over 20 years old. Antique cars are over 45 years old, and vintage vehicles are built between 1919 and 1930.    But as with many subjects in the automotive industry, not everyone can agree ... read more

A radiator leak is highly concerning because your car relies on its engine coolant to keep the engine at the optimal temperature. With a radiator leak, your engine is at risk of overheating. If you notice a leak, please take your vehicle to The Four Car Garage for an inspection immediately. Here are the most common causes behind a leaking radiator:   Coolant Subpar, cheap, watery, or even the wrong engine coolant will prompt your vehicle to overheat. When this happens, it isn't so much that your radiator is leaking, but it is simply expelling the bad stuff out.   Heater Core Your vehicle's heater core can affect the temperature of your engine. When it is faulty or failing, it can trigger your engine to overheat. When the engine overheats, coolant is forced out of the radiator. Additionally, if your heater core fails, you won't turn on the heat in the winter.    Rust Over time, sediment often builds up inside your radiator and its hoses and hose ... read more

We're heading to the height of summer, and you can expect the temperatures to increase to unbearable levels. It becomes even worse when you're driving your car with a faulty air conditioning or climate control system. On really hot days, sometimes even rolling down the windows can't help cool the car. That's why it is critical to have your AC repaired in time to ensure you enjoy a quality, cool ride in summer. Signs and Symptoms of a Bad Car AC System If your car has an AC issue, it will warn you by exhibiting signs and symptoms that can sometimes be difficult to ignore. They include the following: Unusual Noises Coming from The AC Compressor Leaking Fluids from The AC System Stuck or Damaged AC Compressor Clutch AC Unable to Cool the Interior Atmosphere Reasons to Get Your AC Serviced Your Comfort on the Road Driving without a working air conditioning system can be extremely uncomfortable, especially in the summer heat. It can also be dangerous. Getting in ... read more

As your car comes out of a cold winter and into warmer weather, you may want to give attention to the following five areas that are affected by the change in the climate. Here are five car care tips for this summer. Care Tip #1 – Battery In winter your battery is taxed by the coldness of the engine. In summer it is more prone to corrosion and fatigue due to the heat. It is a good idea to have your terminals cleaned and to check the battery charge levels during the summer months. Care Tip #2 – Air Conditioner In summer, A good air conditioner is a working air conditioner. Pop over to our shop to have your AC tested and to have the refrigerator gas topped up if needed. You'll be impressed by the improvement in its performance. Care Tip #3 – Tires Tires gain about 1 PSI for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit it gets hotter outside. Using a pressure gauge, regularly check your tire pressure. Do the same for your spare tire to avoid nasty surprises. To check your tire ... read more

A car tune-up is basically a form of preventive maintenance done on a car to make sure that it continues to run well. Generally, it is recommended that tune-ups are done every three thousand miles or about three months. Even though the cars of today can go for many miles and last much longer, all cars still perform preventative maintenance. Typically, a tune-up involves checking the engine, adding new oil, checking the fluid levels, and any other maintenance it may need. Does your car need a tune-up? The simple answer to this question is: Yes. Your car needs a tune-up, especially if it has been in your possession for quite some time now and if it hasn't been serviced yet. A timely check of the car's condition is important. The first thing on your car maintenance schedule should be the oil change. Every vehicle operates differently, meaning that your mileage will vary depending on how the vehicle is driven and maintained. In order to get an accurate estimate of how often the v ... read more