San Diego Auto Repair

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

Like the rest of the country, it's getting warmer each year in Southern California, and it's not unusual to turn on the news and hear about another heat wave happening near you. The reality is your car needs extra care when the temperatures rise. Whether you're parked in the sun or driving on extra-heated asphalt roadways, it's important to be aware of common problems that may affect your vehicle during the summer months. When it's hot outside, the AC in your car takes a beating, and you need to pay attention to any changes such as the inner cabin of the car not getting as cool as you'd like. This can mean you need to add coolant to your system. Another item that gets extra wear and tear during the summer is the battery because the heat can accelerate corrosion. To combat this issue, you or your mechanic should clean any corrosive build up, and make sure that the clamps remain properly tightened. Making sure fluids remain topped off and tire pressure stays at the appropriate level ... read more

Anyone who claims it's always balmy in Southern California has not been paying attention. The weather patterns have been trending toward hot, hot, hot, and there's no question that your car's air conditioner is important. So, when you push the AC button and nothing but warm air comes out, it's hard not to experience a moment of panic, especially when you think about the cost to completely overhaul your air conditioner. But don't worry, more often than not, when you get to the root of your problem, it will turn out to require only a quick fix. The first thing to do is check vents. Is the air not coming out or blowing only warm air? Both indicate that you likely have an issue with the ventilation system which is responsible for air flow. Resetting your ventilation system control computer is an easy solution to this problem. Another easy-to-fix issue you may run into is an a blown fuse in the electrical system which generally requires only a minor repair to get your cooling system bac ... read more

The average American uses around eleven gallons of gas a week, and the prices are constantly shifting based on the political climate. As a result, the amount you spend at the pump can vary from 5-10% of your monthly household expenses, depending on how much you drive. Either way, filling your tank too often can take a serious hit on your bank account which is why it's important to keep track of the MPG to make sure your car isn't guzzling the gas faster than normal. There are a number of causes for a drop in MPG in your car which can be costly if not fixed quickly. If you drive an older car, you may notice gas mileage getting worse over time. But, even if you own a new car, it's possible to experience a significant drop. Regardless of the age of your vehicle, however, there are some simple reasons why it may be using more fuel than usual. An easy fix? You may be surprised at some of the simple reasons for a drop in MPG. For example, idling your car in the driveway to "warm ... read more

The function of the check engine light is to let you know if there is a problem with one or more parts of the the car's engine. For example, an oil leak that leads to low motor oil can cause the light to be illuminated. In addition, the manufacturer also programs the light to be illuminated when the odometer reaches specific mileage readings, such as 30,000 miles, 60,000 miles, and so on. When you take your car in for a tune-up, your mechanic will reset the on-board diagnostics computer, and the light won't come on until the next scheduled date. Unless you are diligent about taking your car in exactly according to the manufacturer's guidelines, however, you have probably had the check engine light illuminated on the dashboard, even when there isn't a mechanical problem. If you suspect that this is the case, you can learn how to reset your check engine light on your own. A "hard reset" refers to a process of following step by step instructions that allow you to circumvent your c ... read more