Castro Valley Auto Repair

Changing a dead car battery used to be simple. As a matter of fact, if you could lift it, you could change it. Not so anymore.  As the vehicles get more and more computers, internal networks, and sophisticated energy management systems, changing a battery has become more and more complicated.  For example, many cars, including BMW and Audi vehicles, not only require a new battery, but also a professional digital tool to program / register the battery. This tool is required to alert the car that a new battery is in (and to provide the Battery Control Module (BCM) with the correct parameters for correctly charging the new battery).  As cars get smarter, more and more functions get computerized. So as the battery ages, the alternator (which recharges car battery), is adapting the charge it delivers to the fading capabilities of the battery. When you put a new battery in, without alerting the alternator to the change, you could end up killing the new battery by overchargi ... read more

Are your vehicle’s brakes due for brake pad replacement? Other than metal-to-metal grinding noise when braking (that’s a dead giveaway), how does one know it’s time for brake pad replacement? At Adams Autoworx in Castro Valley, we measure the thickness of the brake pads. Most manufacturers recommend brake pad replacement between 1 mm and 4 mm. But to measure the brake pad thickness we get the car up on a lift. What clues can you use at home to figure out if it’s time for brake pad replacement? Some of the newer vehicles are full of electronic sensors – they may turn on a dashboard light indicating it’s time for brake service.  Squeaking or squealing while braking usually indicates it’s time to visit your friendly mechanic.  Vibration when braking – this often indicates warped rotors, and typically this comes about along with worn out brake pads. If your vehicle exhibits any of the above symptoms, bring it t ... read more

Your Lexus is a beautiful luxury vehicle, in fact these days “Lexus” is synonymous with “luxury”. However, even a car as well made as a Lexus may be in need of repair sometimes. Regular service will help to maintain your Lexus in peak condition and lessen chances of unexpected malfunctions.  Here are some tips to keep in mind to ensure your Lexus is running smoothly: Follow factory recommended service schedule Regular oil changes are vital to your Lexus Keep tires inflated to manufacturer recommended pressure Ask your mechanic about brake fluid exchange and transmission fluid exchange The best piece of advice when it comes to Lexus repair is to take it to a trusted auto mechanic for routine maintenance and inspection. If you catch any potential problems early on, you will end up saving money in the long run. Then, you can enjoy driving your Lexus for many years to come!  At Adams Autoworx in Castro Valley we offer not only full range Lexus mainte ... read more

JD Powers announced that Hyundai ranks highest in the mass market segment for Technology Innovation. Hyundai has made great strides in quality and reliability. Originally introduced in the US as a low cost alternative to Honda Civic, it has consistently improved its quality and today it offers a full line of automobiles, from compacts, to sedans, to SUVs, including the all-electric Kona SUV.  Hyundai has now become the Technology Innovation leader among mass market vehicles, while receiving high scores for excellence in execution as well.  At Adams Autoworx we congratulate Hyundai and Hyundai owners. We will continue to offer full range of Hyundai services and repairs, and our technicians will continue to receive cutting-edge training and will use state-of-the-art digital equipment to diagnose and repair any Hyundai you put in our care.  All work performed at Adams Autoworx is backed by 36 month / 36,000 mile warranty. When you bring you bring your Hyundai to our Castr ... read more

Great news for the fans of Ford Bronco. Exactly quarter of a century after it was discontinued, Ford Bronco is back! Ford announced that it will produce a new Ford Bronco SUV – with seven trim levels, two choices of turbocharged EcoBoost engine, and both automatic and manual transmissions, as well as plenty of accessories.  It looks to be just as rugged as its predecessor, yet roomy enough to take entire family or friends for a ride in the wilds.  Rest assured that Adams Autoworx will provide full support for your new Ford Bronco. Regular servicing of your Bronco at Adams Autoworx satisfies Ford requirements to keep the warranty in force.  Details of the new vehicle can be found on the Ford website: https://www.ford.com/suvs/bronco/2021/

We are saddened to announce that GM will no longer reveal its long-awaited Hummer EV on May 20th.  Due to the coronavirus, GM decided to postpone the date – with no guidance as to when it may happen. GM is one of many car makers that postponed introductions of new models due to the coronavirus.  On the positive note, GM claims that the start of production and sales continue as scheduled, even though it is not quite specific as to the schedule. Most pundits guess in late 2021 or early 2022 is when we will be able to go out and buy the Hummer EV.  At Adams Autoworx we super are excited about the Electric Hummer, but in the meantime, we continue to service Hummers already on the road. So if your H2 or H3 needs a bit of tender, loving care, bring it to Adams Autoworx – we are happy to be of service. And as of May 2020, we offer free vehicle pick up and drop off in Castro Valley.   

As you probably know, Honda produces plenty of Honda Hybrid vehicles. Naturally, as they age, high-voltage hybrid batteries need to be replaced – as a matter of fact, at Adams Autoworx we not only service Honda Hybrids, but we also do a fair share of Honda hybrid battery replacements.  Honda decided to find a way to recycle and reuse all those old hybrid batteries. In Europe, it expanded its partnership with SNAM - major European recycling specialists. Used hybrid batteries will be divided into two categories – those that can have a second life as electrical storage devices for homes and businesses, and those whose life is over – they will be recycled.  New recycling technologies allow for cost-efficient recovery of rare earth metals that are key components of hybrid batteries. Cobalt and Lithium can be extracted from the dead batteries, and used in the production of new hybrid batteries or as color pigments (you may have heard of “cobalt blue&rdquo ... read more

Dear Valued Customer, We know that this is a hard time in our area, and we are with you through it all. Alameda County of Public Health has issued a Shelter in Place that began at 12:01am 03/17/2020 for all non-essential businesses and personnel. Adams Autoworx and Adams Tireworx are working closely with our local, state and federal governments to ensure each other’s safety and minimizing the spread of the Coronavirus. With that said, we are considered an “Essential Business” as found in section 10 of the March 10, 2020 Public Order and will remain Open for Business to ensure that you are able to get to and from any necessary travels. Per the order of the County Health Officer and the recommendations of the CDC, we have suspended “Waiting” Appointments and have closed off our seating and waiting areas. If you are within the Castro Valley area, there is an option for an Uber ride at no additional cost. If you are of the age of 65 and older, and with ... read more

To our customers, On March 1, 2020, Alameda County declared a Local Public Health Emergency. What this means is that there are confirmed cases in our county, and they are advising everyone to take necessary precautions.  Adams Autoworx Inc is committed to ensuring the safety and protection of our staff, our customers, and our community. We are constantly monitoring the Coronavirus (Covid-19) and will do our best to keep you informed. We want to ensure that we all stay healthy during this time. And by doing so, all employees and customers are requested to stay at home if they are feeling flu-like symptoms. Our staff is required to consistently wash their hands at a minimum of 2 minutes with warm water and soap and to limit the times they touch their faces. The staff is also required to wear gloves when inside customer vehicles during this time. We are also advising our staff to refrain from shaking hands with each other and the customers. We are also consistently washing the comm ... read more

Castro Valley Catalytic Converter Theft  You may have seen on TV that there has been an epidemic of catalytic converter thefts in Northern California. Apparently thieves use power saws to cut off the catalytic converters in the middle of the night. Police estimate that for some vehicles it only takes a few minutes to steal one. Thieves can get, on average $100-$250 for each stolen catalytic converter. In some cases, scrap value might be as high as $450.  Targeted Vehicles It appears that Prius Gen 2 is the primary target, because of the ease of removing the converter. Honda Element also appears on the list of likely targets. But any car can be a target.  Tips on how to Avoid Catalytic Converter Theft We recommend parking your car in the garage, not leaving it outside when it’s at the mercy of the elements and thieves. If you can’t, try to leave your vehicle near security cameras or in a well-lit or busy area.  Next Steps if Your Catalytic Conv ... read more