Torrance Area Auto Repair

  What is the difference between an oil change and an oil change service?   Offering a fast 20-minute oil change sounds excellent to the busy family; however, it is overall a disservice to both vehicle and customer alike.   Here at Walt’s Auto Service, we believe not including a vehicle inspection with an oil change is risky for our customers. Imagine leaving an auto repair shop after your oil change just to have your serpentine belt break. What customer would not prefer, even expect an auto repair shop to inspect their car while it is already in the shop than find themselves broken down after leaving the parking lot of our auto repair shop?   As expert auto mechanics and auto technicians in the South Bay area, including Torrance, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes, Hawthorne, Carson, and Gardena, we see the value of vehicle inspections at every service, no matter the age of your car. We provide oil services to your car for your ... read more

  Summertime is here, and so is the heat. At Walt’s Auto Service, we care about you and your car, which is why we want to share summertime auto maintenance tips, so check out what you can do to extend the life of your vehicle.   Inspect the AC AC and summertime in California are synonymous. When the summertime heat hits, we want our AC system working without a struggle, so testing it is an important step in keeping ahead of the curve.  When you turn on your ac and have hot air blowing, it could mean that you need a Freon charge. This is the refrigerant your system is pressurized with. Topping off your system can be the boost you need; however, there could also be something else going on with your AC system that one of our trusty ASE-certified auto mechanics can diagnose and repair.   Check your tires' air pressure  After a long winter, wintertime wear and tear is likely on your tires. Be sure to check your air pressure and check for signs of i ... read more

Happy May to you all; our team at Walt's Auto Repair wants to tackle the daunting issue of brake maintenance & common problems drivers can run into if they aren't taken care of properly. Your vehicle's intricate brake system relies on each individual connected brake part to function successfully & safely. If a loose bolt or parts have become worn down, it will affect the entire brake system. The driver can hear or feel the first indicator that something is wrong. We will dive into different sounds & what they could mean for you & your vehicle's brake system.    Constant Squeaking  This noise is prevalent in older vehicles due to worn and tired brake pads. When these pads have reached their last leg, they are thin they can rub against your rotors. This sound is a warning sign for you to get new brake pads before further damage is done. If you have a new vehicle & this is occurring, it can be due to overheating due to the pads not bei ... read more

As we welcome in December, we wanted to prepare our loyal customers for the upcoming winter months by putting together some of our car maintenance tips for winterization! Even though we live in a warmer state, the changing temperatures & changing seasons are reason enough for some advice!    Cabin Air Filter Replacement The wintertime is a great time to replace your air filter. Who wants to sit in a musty vehicle? No one. The odd smells most likely come from a dirty cabin air filter if you notice a strange scent. A cheap filter only blocks dust from getting inside your vehicle. A higher-quality filter will trap much smaller particles and help keep pollen and other allergy-causing debris out of your car. But by installing a new filter, you are improving the air you breathe when driving.   Tire Inspection One significant step you can take in the winter is to get a full tire inspection from our skilled auto mechanics. You can trust our expert technicians to as ... read more

  Anyone who is a dog owner knows just how important your furry friend is and that they are a member of your family. This means your beloved pet will most likely travel with you in your vehicle at some point in its life, whether it be to the vet, the dog park, or a friend's house. We, at Walt's Auto Service are animal lovers too, and we want to discuss the dangers when a pet is left inside your parked vehicle.    Did you know that thousands of pets are injured or die each year due to auto accidents? According to Pet Pro Supply Company ", 84% of dog owners traveling with their dogs are not restraining them. Only 16% of people who transport their dogs use proper safety restraints & 60% of dog owners have driven while distracted by their pets as passengers." We take many risks when traveling with our animals & the dangers that we open up to them if we leave th ... read more

    What a milestone it is in life to learn how to drive for the first time! Do you recall your parents taking me to a local church parking lot (large and empty) and getting behind the wheel for the first time? While it is a joy and a newfound sense of freedom to have a vehicle for the first time, it's also a huge responsibility. Once the driving test is passed (hopefully the first time), it seems all the teen wants and thinks about is "my first car." If you decide the timing is right to purchase a vehicle, it's your job to make sure you are a prepared parent and teacher and your new driver is feeling confident behind the wheel. At Walt's Auto Service, we wanted to put together a small guide to help ease this huge transition!    Double Checking Safety: If you purchase a used or brand new car for your new driver, ensure by bringing the vehicle into Walt’s Auto Service for a Pre-Purchase Inspection that, at the very least, the first car ... read more

HINT: When the check engine warning light comes on, check the owner’s manual for specific instructions. Because yellow “check engine” warning lights often show up on the instrument panel unaccompanied by any apparent symptoms, drivers may continue to drive their vehicle and blame the incident on glitches in the system. However, this should be examined by an auto technician at the earliest opportunity. The reason is the car’s onboard computer system receives information about the engine and other parts of the car from an array of sensors. If any of these sensors relay information about an abnormality, the “check engine” light will come on and the car computer can compensate. The point is not to ignore the warning to the point where failure develops. Those little lights really do mean something, even if it only means there’s a loose connection somewhere. Don’t be in the dark