San Carlos & Valley Springs Auto Repair

Tire tread depth is key to vehicle safety when it comes to wet and slippery roads. Old, worn out tires are a safety issue. While summer driving in California – on dry asphalt - may seem to indicate that your tires are OK, we highly recommend doing a tire check as the Fall rains roll in. As tires wear out over time, their grip on the road lessens, and when the tread depth falls below acceptable minimum,  you’re much more likely to skid or hydroplane on wet and slippery roads. Checking tire tread depth is a simple but important task that can make a big difference in your driving experience. How To Check Tire Tread Depth? No time to check your tire tread depth? Don't worry! Checking your tire tread depth doesn’t take long, and it’s one of the easiest ways to increase your vehicle’s safety. Tread depth affects tire traction, stability, and braking power, all of which are important for a smooth, safe drive. At Toole’s Garage i ... read more

Did you know that wiper blades have become a critical component of ADAS (advanced driver assistance systems) and self-driving capabilities of modern vehicles? Indeed they are - that's because many ADAS systems and self-driving systems use forward looking cameras that rely on a clear windshield to provide onboard computers with the information they need to carry out ADAS and self-driving tasks. If the windshield wipers do not effectively remove water from the windshield, these systems can become confused, and unusable. At Toole's Garage in San Carlos we can provide your vehicle with quality wiper blades that will keep the windshield clear, and allow cameras to see clearly through the windshield. The first rains of the season are behind us, so surely you had an opportunity to notice if the windshield wipers are doing their job. So if you've noticed that your vehicle's wiper blades need to be replaced, call our friendly service advisors at Toole's Garage in San Carlo ... read more

Tune up used to be a ritual for most motorists. These days most cars are self-tuning, in many ways. Onboard sensors monitor various parameters and send the information to the computer which can adjust air intake, can vary the richness of air-fuel mixture, and based on that information, can calculate volume of exhaust, and thus monitor if various subsystems are working correctly. Yet, for all that computing power, there are still plenty of subsystems that need a human to verify that everything is ok. Belts and hoses need a professional to ascertain if they need to be replaced. Tire condition, tread depth, uneven wear, suspension, including shocks/struts, wheel alignment - these are crucial for fall and winter driving, yet they require an experienced professional and alignment equipment to verify that they are in good working order. That's why at Toole's Garage San Carlos we highly recommend Autumn tune-up, a thorough service and inspection, before the rains come.  In addit ... 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

As the weather gets colder and wetter, there are a few things to consider to make sure your car or truck is safe and comfortable for winter driving. Tires The grooves, channels and slits in your tire’s tread are carefully engineered to keep a small section of rubber in close contact with the road and channel water away from that “contact patch.” In most passenger vehicles, the tread pattern is designed to give you predictable grip during cornering, braking and accelerating, reduce noise, and provide biting edges when traveling on icy or snowy roads.  These “all-season” tires make some compromises at the limit, but offer a comfortable, safe and long-wearing tire. Some performance cars, though, come equipped with summer tires, designed for maximum grip on dry roads and in temperate climates, but they aren’t as good in bad weather, and certainly not intended for a winter trip to Tahoe.  Take a look at the sidewall and you&rs ... read more

As the weather gets colder and wetter, there are a few things to consider to make sure your car or truck is safe and comfortable for winter driving. Brakes Wet and slick roads increase stopping distances significantly, so you need to brake sooner, react more quickly, maintain longer following distances, and avoid abrupt steering and braking that might induce a skid. Make sure your brake pads and shoes are in good shape, with even wear and adequate thickness, and that your rotors are smooth and sound. Brake fluid absorbs moisture from the air, which accumulates and reduces braking performance at the limit (when it really matters), and increases corrosion of brake lines and other parts of your braking system. Be sure to change your brake fluid every two years, regardless of mileage, and keep the system in good working order. Air Conditioning Now that you’re using the heater again, you may not be thinking much about your A/C ... read more

As the weather gets colder and wetter, there are a few things to consider to make sure your car or truck is safe and comfortable for winter driving. Windshield Chips and Cracks If you have a rock chip or small crack in your windshield, you may be able to repair the damage before it grows into a long crack.  Many auto insurance companies waive your deductible and pay for most or all of the repair if you fix rather than replace the windshield, so act quickly when the damage occurs.  When the weather dips near freezing, then warms later in the day, chips and cracks are more likely to worsen. And if you toss a bucket of hot water on your ice-cold windshield to clear the ice or snow, you might see a crack form immediately, just as you are heading off to work or the slopes. Like many things in auto repair, fix things before they fail or at the first sign of failure and you’ll often save money over the life of your car. ... read more