San Carlos & Valley Springs Auto Repair

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

Many Mazda owners in the area are discovering that Towne Mazda in Redwood City has closed permanently. While we are sad to see a local business close, we are also mindful of their clients who must now find a trusted Mazda repair shop. Fortunately, there is a silver lining - Toole’s Garage in San Carlos is only 5 min away from the Redwood City location of the Towne Mazda, and we can provide comprehensive Mazda maintenance and repair services.     Toole’s Garage, a family owned and operated auto repair facility, offers full range of automotive services and repairs. Our mechanics are certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), and they are equipped with the latest digital diagnostic tools. If you choose to bring your Mazda to Toole’s Garage, you will discover a friendly auto repair shop, with superior customer service and technical excellence. We care, and we will treat your Mazda as if it were our own. W ... read more