Santa Cruz Auto Repair

If you're a resident of California, then you know that smog checks are required by law. But did you know that there are many other reasons why it's essential to get it for your vehicle? Our automotive experts in Water Star Motors share six benefits of getting a car smog check in Santa Cruz, CA, on time. Here they are: 1. Avoid costly fines You'll have to pay a fine if your vehicle doesn't pass the smog check requirements in California. The amount varies depending on the severity of the smog check failure and the age of your car.   Faking results are also heavily prohibited by law. For example, a fraudulent smog check entails a civil penalty of $150 to $1,000. So don't try to fake it, and ensure you're getting the inspection from a state-approved facility in Santa Cruz like ours. 2. Prevent damage to the environment Smog is a mixture of harmful polluta ... read more

‘Jumpin’ Jack Flash, It’s The Gas, Gas, Gas That’s Jumpin’ (in price). The last time we looked, premium gas sold for $5.00 a gallon and up. Now is the time to see what can be done to get better distance out of our fuel dollars. In our article about greener driving, we exposed some of the things you can do to improve fuel mileage. Some of those things were: Make sure tire pressures are correct - not low or too high.  When you accelerate, pretend there is an egg between your foot and the gas pedal so you will use less pressure on the gas pedal. No jack rabbit starts. Enjoy life by slowing down a little. Check your air filter. Cars love to breathe! Make sure your tune-up or maintenance is current. Fresh spark plugs and fuel filters help. Some fuel filters are now part of the fuel pump in the tank, so only replace if necessary. Spark plugs in various newer cars theoretically will last 100,000 miles. It is our experience that at ... read more

  Your alternator is an essential part of your car. It helps to keep your battery charged. It also provides power to all the other electrical systems in your vehicle.   So, what happens when it goes out?   When your alternator goes out, not only will your car not start, but you won't be able to run any of the electrical systems either. It can include the headlights, the radio, and even the power windows.   How do you know when you need an alternator repair service? There are a few signs that tell you to schedule an alternator repair at a reliable auto repair shop such as Water Star Motors in Santa Cruz, CA: Warning Lights / Error Codes on your Dashboard A common sign that your alternator may be going out is if you see a warning light or error code on your dashboard.   If you see a warning light that looks like a battery, it could mean a charging system issue. It could cause a problem with th ... read more