Chances are you’re driving a lot less than you were a year ago. California’s COVID-related regulations mean that more people are working from home and in-person socialization is discouraged. Additionally, those with serious health concerns are mostly homebound. In these circumstances, it can be easy to forget about your car. However, vehicles need regular maintenance no matter how often you get behind the wheel. Here are some ways to make sure your car will still run optimally even if you don’t drive very often. Read more

Upon receiving an unexpected car repair bill, you might start wondering if it’s time to replace your current vehicle for something newer that requires less maintenance. However, while it’s natural to react this way to an unforeseen financial burden, it’s important to make such a decision based on information, not emotion. Read more

With many COVID-related lockdown measures still in place, the way we vacation has changed. Trips to amusement parks or festivals have been replaced by day trips to the beach or weekends in the Sierras. If you’ve spent the last few months taking advantage of California’s natural beauty, you’ve probably driven your car into harsher environmental conditions than normal. Read more

Are you familiar with the many fluids found under the hood of your car? If not, the following article is for you.

Fluids are the lifeblood of your vehicle. Some serve to cool and lubricate the engine and transmission, while others help facilitate the operation of the steering and braking systems. All of them are important and should be regularly inspected. Let’s look at each of these fluids in more detail: Read more

Few things are more disconcerting than when the “check engine” light illuminates on your car’s dashboard. What’s most alarming isn’t the light itself but the ambiguity it presents. Since the “check engine” light can be triggered by a wide range of factors, you don’t know if you’re dealing with something insignificant (a loose gas cap) or something serious (a catalytic converter failure), which can produce a sense of anxiety every time you drive. Read more

It’s no surprise that electric vehicles (EVs) are rapidly growing in popularity. Not only are they more environmentally friendly than gas-powered vehicles, they’re far less expensive to fuel. However, there are many things the average person doesn’t know about EVs, including additional benefits and crucial safety information. To shed some light on this topic, we asked Kacey Copeland, owner of autoTech Blackhawk in Danville, to share a few little-known facts about electric vehicles. Read more

In recent years, you’ve likely noticed the proliferation of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at shopping centers, commercial workspaces and other public places. However, did you know EV charging stations are also increasing in prevalence as a residential feature? To learn more about residential EV charging stations, we spoke to Shelby Kromer of Got Watts Electric & Solar in Pleasant Hill. Read more