Walnut Creek Auto Repair

Most late model vehicles come with timing chains, and Honda is no exception. But thanks to Honda legendary reliability, there are still plenty of Hondas that were built years ago and come with a timing belt. Typically Honda timing belt needs replacement every 90,000 - 105,000 miles, depending on the model of your vehicle – your Owner’s Manual should spell out the timing belt replacement interval. We highly recommend following Honda recommendations for the timing belt replacement – because timing belt failure can lead to serious engine problems. During the timing belt replacement, we will inspect related components, and may also replace pulleys and tensioner. We also check the water pump for any signs of problems – that’s because water pump replacement is relatively inexpensive when combined with the timing belt replacement – most of the labor necessary to get to the water pump has already been performed in order to replace the timing belt. Natural ... read more

For the Q4 2022, as reported by Anderson Economic Group, drivers of a typical mid-priced electric vehicle paid between 31 cents to 3 dollars more for electricity to drive 100 miles than drivers of a typical mid-priced internal combustion engine vehicle paid for fuel to drive the same distance.  Electric car owners who charged their vehicles at home paid 31 cents more, while those charging at the commercial stations paid up to $3 more to drive 100 miles. These are national averages, so chances are if you own an electric vehicle in Walnut Creek, you are paying less than owners of gasoline powered cars. But that’s not because you costs are lower – we all see our electric bills – but rather because gasoline is much more expensive in California than in other parts of the country. It is somewhat disconcerting, though, to see cost of operating electric vehicles going up. Inflation takes a bit out of everyone. What concerns us even more is that as electric vehicles bec ... read more

Diablo Auto Specialists in Walnut Creek offers full range of Audi repairs, including coolant leak repairs – we can discover the source of the leak and have it fixed, often the same day. When you start your Audi, the engine generates tremendous amount of heat. Without properly functioning cooling system, the engine would overheat, sustaining serious damage. Unfortunately, sometimes the cooling system fails, especially if it develops a coolant leak. Signs your Audi has a coolant leak We recommend a thorough cooling system inspection every 20,000 miles or so, though sometimes your vehicle may give warning signs that there’s a problem, like a coolant leak. Here are the top signs to look out for. Puddle under your Audi Puddle of any kind under your Audi should be a source of concern as it’s rarely good news. If the fluid is not colorless, contact Diablo Auto Specialists.   Engine overheats The purpose of the coo ... read more

Audi Battery Replacement in Walnut Creek, CA Your Audi’s battery is responsible for providing power to start the engine, and also for powering electrical devices when the engine is turned off. Typically a car battery will last about 4-5 years, though towards the end of that time period it will start to weaken and will eventually need to be replaced. Diablo Auto Specialists in Walnut Creek offers Audi battery testing and replacement among the many Audi services we provide. Car batteries rarely fail outright – there is usually a period when the battery weakens, and there are noticeable symptoms that tell the owner that the battery is about to fail – if you notice any of the symptoms listed below, it’s time to bring your Audi to our Walnut Creek car care facility. Our nationally ASE certified technicians will test the battery and let you know what needs to be done to remedy the symptoms you noticed. Some of these symptoms may be caused by other co ... read more

Timing belt’s function is to synchronize the rotation of the engine’s camshaft and crankshaft, regulating the opening and closing of the valves and the movement of the pistons. Due to old age and long usage, the timing belt will need replacement. While the timing belt rarely physically brakes, most often a tooth will sheer off (it’s a toothed belt), which throws off valves’ timing and can cause engine damage.   At Diablo Auto Specialists we offer timing belt inspections and timing belt replacement. Sometimes a timing belt will age prematurely and an inspection by a professional mechanic will reveal need for timing belt replacement. But it most cases, it should be replaced at the time interval recommended by Audi for your particular model. Most newer cars come with timing chains, but there are still plenty of Audi vehicles that use timing belt ( BTW: timing chains can also require replacement – in theory a timing chain should last for the lifetime of ... read more