San Diego Auto Repair

Have you seen the popular commercial where customers walk into an auto shop and hilariously imitate the knocking noises or engine sounds their car is making? The underlying message is that the mechanic knows exactly what is wrong with the car upon hearing this. In real life, it's just not that simple. Diagnosing problems with automobiles requires a thorough examination, and a lot of training and experience on the part of the mechanic. At TransMasters Transmission and Auto Repair, we take pride in the level of expertise of every mechanic on our staff. They receive extensive training and multiple certifications; qualifying them to find not just obvious, but hidden car problems as well. Why not? TransMasters has a reputation for being the most trusted auto repair shop in San Diego, precisely because we take the time to figure out the underlying issues causing the noises our customers are hearing. We don't make educated guesses, but rather give ... read more

Lately, if you've begun asking yourself "how many more miles can I really expect to get from my car", you are not alone. Today's car consumers are driving their vehicles a lot farther and are finding out that the old ideas about the limits of a car's endurance are not what they used to be. Your car's odometer is not always a good indicator of a vehicle's continued performance. Hondas, Toyotas, and Volvos, brands, known for their durability, are being sold secondhand with as many as 200,000 miles and are still in great working order! The key to getting the most mileage out of your car is to keep it well-maintained. Regularly scheduled oil and filter changes are a must. With every oil change, your mechanic should check your transmission fluid, and coolant levels as well the level of your brake fluids. If there is an issue with any of these, it could be a sign of a bigger problem. Your mechanic should also be checking for wear ... read more

A timing belt is located in your car's engine behind the drive belts. The job of the timing belt is to keep the movement of the crankshaft synchronized with the camshafts by precisely timing the opening and closing of the valve with the movement of your engine's pistons. At some point in the life your car, the timing belt will need to be replaced, and it is one of the more expensive maintenance procedures you can have done on your car. Manufacturers recommendations about replacement vary anywhere from every 60,000 to 100,000 miles. So, how can you tell whether or not your car has a timing belt or whether is has a timing chain? Most newer models of cars have timing chains instead of timing belts. You can check your owner's manual if you're not sure. The benefit of having a timing chain is that they don't need to be replaced unless they develop a problem. Lack of regular oil changes, low oil levels, and/or using poor quality engine oil can all result in the need for a timing chain re ... read more

Basic car care is really not that difficult. The are a number of simple things that you can do on your own to keep your car running smoothly and in top shape. The following is a list of simple car care tips that are basic to all vehicles: Check the levels of all of your car's fluids Check the tire pressure on a regular basis Change the windshield wipers if they start to show wear Check the battery for leaks, cracks, and terminal corrosion Check the condition of your air filter Clean your vehicle on a regular basis Refer to your owner's manual for the correct information on basic maintenance and service. Have your car checked out a garage at least one time per year and follow the recommended maintenance schedule. That you can do even if you're not a mechanic Even if you're not "mechanically inclined", there are some things that you can do at home to really help prolong the life your vehicle. Check the tire pressure once a month with a tire ... read more

Most of us know that helpless feeling you get when your car breaks down on you. It's never a good time or place, and then there's the question of what to tell the tow truck driver. If you live in "America's Finest City" as San Diego is affectionately known, the decision is easy because you're fortunate enough to have access to the best auto mechanic in Southern California! Tell the driver to tow your car to Transmasters in San Diego. At Transmasters, we understand the frustration of having a car that's out of commission. That's why we work quickly to diagnose the issue, provide a free estimate, and get you back on the road as fast as possible. Our mechanics can help The technicians on our staff are experienced and certified in transmission and auto repair. We pride ourselves on providing the same level of expertise as you would find at a dealership, but at a more affordable rate. Whether you're towing your car to our facility or you're able to drop off your car, we will wor ... read more

Why is your car shaking and what are those strange vibrations going on with your car? Shaking and vibrations are one of the most common complaints of car owners. And, the good news is that many of the causes of shaking and vibrations are easily diagnosed and corrected by something simple such as balancing or rotating the tires. Some of the more common problems that cause your vehicle to shake and vibrate are: Bent axles Warped brake rotors Out of balance tires Loose tire Stuck brake caliper Loose engine mount If your car shakes and/or vibrates at high speeds or while you're accelerating, this could indicate a problem with your tires or more serious problems involving the transmission or a worn-out universal joint. This can lead to a dangerous situation while you're driving and can compromise highway safety because it can ultimately result in a loss of control. If your car shakes when shifting into different gears, this could be an indication ... read more

Is it getting hot in here or is it just me? All jokes aside, there's nothing more miserable than facing the summer months without working AC in your car. Even in Southern California, where beautiful San Diego attracts large crowds every year, driving without the benefit of air conditioning can be unbearable. If this story sounds familiar, you may be asking yourself whether or not your car air conditioner be fixed. We hear you. One of the most common service calls we get when it's hot outside is in regards to broken car AC's. Our goal at TransMasters is to get you in as soon as possible, diagnose the problem, and get you back on the road with a cool breeze emanating from the vents in your dashboard. Just not cold enough or not doing anything at all? Common problems with car air conditioners include a refrigerant leak, which generally presents as the AC is still running, but, instead of blowing cool air, it's blowing warm air. There may be a reasonably easy solution to this p ... read more

At Transmasters, towing will be FREE with completion of any repair work which we perform, to get your vehicle up and running again. We'll tow your car in for free It's no fun when your car breaks down. It can happen while you're driving down the highway, in a parking lot, or in your driveway. If your car breaks down while you're driving, pull over to a safe place on the side of the road as far off the roadway as possible. Make sure other motorists can see you by turning on your flashers or lifting up the hood. Stay in your vehicle or stand a safe distance away from it while you're waiting for help to arrive. No matter where you breakdown, if you need to be towed, call Transmasters Transmissions and Autocare for free vehicle towing in San Diego. Located in Miramar, Transmasters has been providing great service to the area for over 25 years and has developed the reputation for being the best mechanics in San Diego. The technicians on our staff are certifi ... read more

According to a 2014 survey conducted by Consumer Reports of their subscribers, independent auto repair shops came out on top when compared to dealership service for overall customer satisfaction, price, quality, the courteousness of the staff, and the work being completed as promised. Independent repair shops and their mechanics are loyal to you, their customer, not a dealership or one specific manufacturer. They offer a variety of services on diverse makes and models of cars. They work hard to build relationships with their customers by providing honest work at lower prices vs dealership prices. Finding a mechanic that you can trust is one of the most important factors when it comes to choosing a repair shop. At smaller independent repair shops, customers have the opportunity to meet directly with the mechanic who is going to perform the work on their car. A trustworthy mechanic is one that is always willing to take the time to explain the problem to you and show you proof tha ... read more

The purpose of the driveshaft is to transmit torque from the engine to the wheels. It's set into motion by the transmission and then works to get your wheels rotating. This component has to be precisely balanced, and when it gets out of whack, it profoundly affects a car's performance. In fact, it should be addressed sooner rather than later. Driveshaft problems can range from a slight vibration to an unusual noise to much bigger issues that can affect your vehicle's driveability down the line. So how do you know if you have a broken driveshaft? What to listen and look for Because the driveshaft is finely balanced prior to installation, any sort of vibration is a sign that there is a problem. This generally occurs when certain parts, like the U-joint or bushings wear out. If the driver or the passenger begin to feel the car vibrating while it's in motion, it's time to take it in for a maintenance check. Another indication that there's a problem is unusual sounds. If the ... read more