San Carlos & Valley Springs Auto Repair

Many vehicle owners assume that a dead battery is the only culprit whenever their Subaru refuses to start. While this may the case in many instances, another possible reason why you may struggle to get your vehicle’s engine running is a failing starter. The starter is a vital component that cranks your engine when you turn the key. Signs your Subaru needs a new starter When the starter in your Subaru fails, you can’t go anywhere. However, there are signs your vehicle gives you before your starter stops working. Here are the top symptoms: Engine won’t turn over The most obvious sign that your car’s starter is getting bad is when you push the start button or turn the key and the engine refuses to crank or cranks slowly. You may even hear the clicking sound when you turn the key yet get no response. It may start eventually, but it clearly struggles to get going. Strange noises When you turn the key or push ... read more

Your vehicle’s brake system comprises a number of components that all play a critical role in ensuring your safety and that of your passengers. Brake pads press against rotors to create friction that slows down your Audi.  Since they’re a contact wear item, brake pads suffer wear and tear and need replacement from time to time. Signs your Audi needs brake pads replacement Since brake pads are just one of the several components that make up the brake system, identifying the symptoms of worn or damaged brake pads can be tricky. Here are common signs to help you figure out that brake pads might be the problem:   Noisy brakes If you hear a grinding noise anytime you press the brakes, it’s likely because the brake pads are worn out. These strange noises are produced when metal scrape against metal between the brake pad backing plate and the rotor. Brake warning light Your Audi’s brake system has a dedic ... read more

Audi Battery Replacement in San Carlos, CA Toole’s Garage offers Audi owners full range of maintenance services and repairs, including Audi battery replacement. Car battery is a vital part of the electrical system that powers your vehicle. If a battery ever died in your car, you know the inconvenience – at Toole’s Garage we offer battery testing and battery replacement, so you never have to be stuck somewhere without power and ability to get your car going. Car batteries will typically last about 4-5 years. So if your Audi has not had a battery replacement for that period of time, it’s a good idea to bring it to our San Carlos auto care facility to have the battery tested -  we can combined battery testing with an oil change, so you don’t have to make two trips. At a minimum, we recommend that you are familiar with the signs that could indicated that your Audi battery is starting to fail – if you notice any of the symptoms li ... read more

Audi AC Refill in Valley Springs, CA Audi a/c system needs regular maintenance – and one aspect of the Audi ac maintenance is a/c refill. We normally don’t think much about the air conditioning system – until it no longer blows the cold air we desire. In Valley Springs, during summer, getting the a/c system working correctly is important. We recommend a/c check in the spring, so if it turns out that the system is not functioning correctly, you can get if fixed long before the hot summer days. Your Audi’s a/c system can suffer from a variety of issues – ventilation fan not working, mildew or mold, leaks, bad air compressor – but if the air does blow, and it otherwise seems ok, but the air not as cold as you desire, there is a good chance that a/c refill is indicated. In California we have stringent rules governing a/c refills. At Toole’s Garage we follow these rules not only because the government compels us to follow them, b ... read more

Honda Spark Plugs Replacement in Valley Springs, CA Spark plugs ignite the air-gasoline mixture which powers your Honda. Though they may seem insignificant, they are a key component in generating power for your vehicle. When spark plugs reach the end of their useful life, your vehicle’s performance will suffer. They only way to fix this problem is by replacing them with new spark plugs. Here are some symptoms that can alert you that your Honda needs spark plugs replacement: Check engine light gets turned “on” Bad spark plugs can lead to engine misfires. When that occurs, the onboard Honda computer will illuminate the check engine light. Rough idling Rough idling can occur for a number of reasons, bad spark plugs are one of them – when your car exhibits rough idling, it’s a good idea to have a professional mechanic investigate. Engine Misfires Failing sparkplugs can cause engine misfires – somet ... read more

When you drive a high-performance vehicle, you need to be mindful of your braking system. To keep your Audi driving at its best, it needs regular service and brake maintenance. The actual frequency of your shop visits will depend on how much you drive and the typical driving conditions – lots of stop and go traffic, or driving where there are many hills, will shorten the interval between mechanic visits.  At our shop in San Carlos, CA, we offer full Audi brake service and maintenance. Our highly trained staff is well-versed in everything German engineering can produce, and we will make sure your Audi’s brakes are back to their full capacity.  Whether your Audi needs new brake pads, new rotors, brake fluid replacement, or your Audi suffers from a sticking caliper, our nationally ASE certified technicians will get the problem diagnosed and repaired.  At Toole’s Garage in San Carlos we love Audi vehicles, and our friendly service advisors will be happy t ... read more

Winter is upon us, and rain is in the forecast. This is the last chance to get your tire services before the rains arrive. So head out to Toole’s Garage in San Carlos or Valley Springs to get your car’s tires checked out.  We recommend following “pre-winter” checks: Tire tread check – bring your vehicle to Toole’s Garage for a tire tread check – we can check the tires and make sure there is enough tread left to drive safely in heavy rain. Tire pressure adjustment – low tire pressure contributes to faster tire wear, and lowers the speed at which your vehicle could hydroplane. We can check and adjust tire pressure to manufacturer specifications. Tire rotation – tires wear out unevenly, so having them regularly rotated evens out the wear and extends tire life. We recommend rotating your vehicle’s tires every time you get oil change – saves you an additional trip to the shop and makes it one less thing to remember ... read more

According to ABC News, Hyundai has started construction of a huge electric vehicle factory in Georgia. When completed in 2025, the plant will first produce EV vehicles, and in 2026 it may also produce EV batteries. Hyundai is already second in EV sales in the United States, Tesla being number one, of course. This new Hyundai factory will produce 300,000 EV vehicles per year. In the meantime, Hyundai is also continuing its research on hydrogen fuel-cell powered vehicles. However, until the time when total EV sales exceed the total sales of internal combustion powered vehicles in the US, Hyundai plans to continue offering its current lineup of hybrid and plugin-hybrid vehicles. At Toole’s Garage in San Carlos we are hybrid vehicle specialists, and as electric vehicles become more and more popular, we continue to expand our skills and acquire equipment necessary to maintain and repair electric vehicles – so rest assured, whether you drive a gasoline powered Hyundai, hybrid ... read more

Even though we are having lovely, unseasonably warm days, in the evening you can feel the chill of the Autumn. This is a good time to get your car ready for the cold night, and rains. After the summer fun, it’s time to get your vehicle inspected and prepared for the harsher driving conditions. At Toole’s Garage in San Carlos we recommend that you have professionals look at various components and system of your vehicle: Lights As the days get shorter, you vehicle’s exterior lights gain in importance. All exterior lights should be checked to make sure they operate properly and provide you with visibility on the road. Do not forget signal lights - they are important for your safety. Windshield Wipers Faulty windshield wipers in the middle of a rainstorm are no fun – and during summer we rarely use them, so it’s doubly important to do a windshield wiper check before the winter rains. Summer heat and sunlight tend to damage ... read more

Electric Vehicles (EVs) continue to develop at a rapid pace. Tesla drives the development of their vehicles as if they were computer programs – frequent upgrades even between major design changes. At Toole’s Garage in San Carlos we continue to expand our digital diagnostic capability in anticipation of new entrants into the EV market. As a matter of fact, a market research company named Fact.MR announced that in their estimation sedans are the best fit for electric solar power vehicles. They are more aerodynamic, and much lighter than either SUVs or pickup trucks. While no major car manufacturer announced a solar powered car, there are startups that are raising money (tens of millions of dollars) and building solar power prototypes. Speaking of money, according to Realtor.com, homes near public EV charging stations command higher prices. There are roughly 45,000 EV charging stations in the US. On Average, a typical charging station has just over 2 charging outlets, so ove ... read more