Orinda Auto Repair

Summer is officially here, which means it is time for some summer fun. Because we live in such a beautiful area, a summer road trip is an excellent way to pass the time with your family. When it comes to the safety of you, your passengers, and your car, we think it is always better to be safe than sorry. Before you embark on your summer road trip, we recommend thoroughly preparing your car.   Let’s make sure your car is prepared for your summer adventure. One of the first tasks we recommend is scheduling an appointment for a checkup at Orinda Motors. Our team will thoroughly inspect your car for signs of impending or current problems, along with performing basic maintenance, such as topping off fluids and taking a look at your headlights. Along with a comprehensive inspection, we recommend browsing through our checklist we have put together:   Be prepared for everything and anything. Pack an emergency kit, in the case of a medical emergency or accident. It would b ... read more

If your car has started to look dull, or if you have noticed any damage to the paint or the interior, it most likely is time for a detailing. However, the team at Orinda Auto Detail recommends being proactive, meaning don’t wait until your car is in desperate need of detailing. Stay a step ahead. Now, you may be asking: how often should I detail your car? Keep reading for the answer.   Detailing is the process of carefully and thoroughly cleaning both the exterior and interior of your car. At Orinda Auto Detail, our methods for washing, polishing, interior cleaning, conditioning, and full paint correction are down to a science. We use the highest quality of products, including Opti-Coat Pro. In fact, these products are the gold standard in the detailing industry. Many people believe once their vehicle is sealed with Opti-Coat, you don’t have to wash it for months, which is not true. Your best bet is to wash your vehicle every 3 weeks after it has been sealed. &nbs ... read more

Nowadays, it is rare to see a full-service gas station in operation. There are over 120,000 gas stations in the United States, but we don’t know how many of those can be classified as full service. Unfortunately, the United States Census does not keep track of full-service gas stations. As we drive down the street, most likely, there will not a full-service gas station in sight. However, if you are driving down Bryant Way in Orinda, you will see a light at the end of the tunnel: Flying A Gasoline, or one of the only full-service gas stations left.   Full-service gas stations are a rarity in California, let alone the United States. We are dedicated to upholding old traditions, which is why Flying A Gasoline remains in operation. We are one of the only full-service gas stations with attendants who will pump your gas at no extra charge. We also feature smog testing, car wash service, full auto detail service, rental cars, and some of the lowest gas prices in town.   ... read more

Spring is officially here, and we absolutely enjoy seeing the shining sun, blooming flowers, and the budding trees. Spring is definitely a welcome relief from winter weather. However, we have to be wary of spring showers. April is known for the downpour of rain. In fact, the popular saying “April showers bring May flowers” is practically ingrained in our mind. In order to prepare for Mother Nature’s downpour, we need to make sure your windshield wipers are working in tip-top shape.   Rain results in decreased visibility, a slippery road, and overall, disconcerting driving conditions. Your vehicle’s windshield wipers are your first line of defense against the rain, so we have to make sure they are properly performing. If your windshield wipers are in need of replacement, you will experience any one of the following symptoms:   The rubber on your windshield wiper blades is cracked or broken. Your windshield wipers are leaving behind streaks. Wh ... read more

Orinda Motors is family-owned and team-operated. We are a full-service automotive facility that offers classic car restoration, oil changes, tire center, performance tires, wheel alignments, full diagnostics, smog certification, and car rental services. Car owners in Orinda have entrusted us with their vehicles for many years. They have complete faith in our ability to provide them with exceptional customer service and high-quality workmanship. That is why we have earned the reputation as the leading auto service center in Orinda.   What exactly sets us apart from other auto repair shops and dealerships? Here are a few reasons:   Because we are a Diamond Certified company and AAA™ Approved Auto Repair Shop, we have a duty to provide our clients with skilled workmanship, state of the art technology and equipment, and high levels of professionalism. Our team is attentive to our customer’s needs. If you have a question, it will be answered promptly and honest ... read more

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Do you know what you are getting for the car lover in your life? To help answer that question, we have compiled a list of the perfect gifts to get your car enthusiast:   Air Vent Cell Phone Holder: Nowadays, we use our phones for just about everything, including GPS. With a cell phone holder mounted to the car vent, you are able to easily follow the GPS directions, while keeping your eyes safely locked on the road.​ Personalized Garage Sign: If your car lover loves to spend time in the garage, then a personalized sign for their garage is absolutely perfect. Whether that says their name or even car model, it is an excellent addition to any car lover’s garage. Automatic Cordless Tire Inflator: We all know that properly fueled tires have numerous benefits, including better fuel efficiency and a smoother ride. This tire inflator is ready to go without the hassle and inconvenience of a cord. It makes taking care of your vehicl ... read more

With winter upon us, you may be wondering which type of tires is right for you. Most likely, you are struggling to decide between all season or winter tires. The team at Orinda Motors is here to help. After reading this, we hope you will be able to decide between all-season and winter tires.   Winter roads are dangerous, to say the least. You can experience black ice and heavy snowfall all in one trip. As you can imagine, ensuring your vehicle is outfitted with the right tire is essential. Winter tires are armored with certain weapons against wintry roads, including:   Flexible tread rubber, which is designed to allow your vehicle to grip the road better. Thicker tread depths, which reduce the buildup of snow in your tires. Biting edges, similar to small slits, which provide traction when driving on the ice. When your car leaves the factory, it is typically outfitted with all season tires. All season tires are both durable and versatile. You can drive in several wea ... read more

Orinda Auto Detail is one of the leading auto detailing services in the SF East Bay region. From Oakland to Walnut Creek, and from Alamo to Martinez, Orinda Auto Detail has developed a solid reputation for excellent detailing and great customer service.   But who typically orders auto detailing? It depends.   Some of our detailing clients want a simple and quick interior / exterior detail to clean up their car after several years of accumulated dust and food crumbs. Some of our detailing clients recently purchased brand new Teslas that are known to have “soft paint” that is environmentally friendly. These Tesla owners want to protect that paint so it looks terrific for a long time. Other detailing clients drive classic cars that have been lovingly restored and they want our detailing services to make their vehicles look car-show-ready.   Whatever your reason, here are the 5 top reasons to detail your vehicle:   Interior detailing removes bacter ... read more

Tires are often neglected and overlooked by the people who drive on them every day. A daily visual inspection is ideal to make sure the tires are in good shape. But in today’s busy world, most people don’t pay that close attention to their tires until the following happens:   The car sensors detect that tire pressure is low. The driver “feels” something going on with the tires or how the car is not driving smoothly. The steering wheel pulls to the left or the right. A loud pop or explosion is heard while driving (Not good!). Another driver is desperately trying to get your attention and point out that your tires are dangerously low.   So the question is:  Do your tires pass the safety test?   First, let’s establish what is “safe”. Safety can mean several things, such as:   Safe level of tire tread: You have more that 2/32 of an inch of tread depth remaining. This means your probably don’t need new tires ... read more

I have noticed that different drivers have different ideas about what “car maintenance” really means. It is indeed very important to change your engine oil regularly. This is a good reason while your engine will last longer and overall be more reliable. A large percentage of owners understand this and make a point to make the oil change ritual a priority. Others struggle with this concept. Failing to change your oil regularly will cost you more in the long run. Others struggle with the concept of maintenance beyond the standard oil change. Many folks consider an oil change as taking care of the car's maintenance, but it is not true. Let's start with the definition of maintenance: “The process of maintaining or preserving someone or something, or the state of being maintained.” There is a process when it comes automotive maintenance, and it starts with the owners manual in your glove box. The manufacturer of your vehicle has recommendations for the up-ke ... read more