Castro Valley Auto Repair

Fall Tune Up Even though the traditional tune-up is a thing of the past, at Adams Autoworx in Castro Valley we still recommend getting a vehicle checkup before the Fall driving season. Even though most modern cars are self-tuning ( computers adjust timing, air intake, richness of the air-fuel mixture, etc.  on-the-fly), there is still a lot to be said for having a professional mechanic inspect your car before the rains and the cold weather. It's always a good idea to check the condition of the car battery, as the cold weather makes a weak battery more likely to die, or often not be able to hold enough charge to start your car. We also recommend a visual inspection of the tires, to make sure there are no bald spots, and that the tread depth is sufficient to evacuate water and prevent hydroplaning.  While the car is in the shop, we also recommend brake inspection ( unless you had one done very recently ) - wet asphalt extedends the distance it takes to stop your vehicle ... read more

Tesla Outproduces German EV Makers - Again! Tesla is an the unquestioned leader in the electric vehicle market. German auto makers have been promising to outproduce Tesla in the EV arena – for many years now. Volkswagen in particular has been promising to wrestle EV leadership away from Tesla. Well... once again Tesla comes out on top. So far this year, Tesla produced 890,000 electric vehicles, according to Bloomberg News. That’s more than the combined EV production of BMW, Mercedes, Volkswagen and Porsche. German manufacturers are struggling with software problems that delay introduction of new models. This is not surprising – modern vehicles, and especially EVs, are “software on wheels”, while traditional auto makers have very limited software design and production experience. Tesla, on the other hand, greatly benefits from Elon Musk’s experience – he started out as a programmer. And he runs Tesla like a software company – frequent p ... read more

Prius Head Gasket Replacement in Castro Valley, CA Prius vehicles are justifiably known for their reliability and longevity. 300,000 miles is not uncommon for a well maintained Prius. However, as your Prius ages, it may have to face the specter of head gasket replacement, especially if it is Gen3 Prius.    At Adams Autoworx in Castro Valley we provide full range of Prius services and repairs, including head gasket replacements. Naturally, since head gasket replacement is an expensive repair, we will first verify that the head gasket replacement is a necessity. Only after we determine that there is no other course of action, we will let you know the cost and will not proceed until you authorize the repair. In some cases, engine replacement might be a better option.    Symptoms of head gasket failure:  Check engine light comes on – any time your Prius has a misfire, the check engine light will come on – fo ... read more

Even though it’s still wet and dreary on May 8th, eventually the sun will come out. So it’s a good idea to have your car’s ac system checked out and topped off if needed. Plenty of vehicles still use the old R134a refrigerant, though many newer vehicles require the new R1234YF refrigerant. There is no single cut-off date; different brands picked different years to switch to R1234YF. These refrigerants are not interchangeable - your vehicle will either use one or the other. To simplify your life, at Adams Autoworx in Castro Valley we offer both refrigerants – when you bring your vehicle for an a/c checkup, we will look up which refrigerant your vehicle requires, check the ac system for leaks, and top it off if necessary. The new R1234YF refrigerant systems require different fittings, and the machines have on-board sensors to make sure correct refrigerant is being used. R1234YF was formulated to be environmentally friendly, and we don’t want to cross contam ... read more

Carfax, a company that keeps track of vehicle repair data, estimates that in 2022 there were over 153,000 vehicles targeted for catalytic converter theft. That's a considerably higher number than the insurance industry report of 52,000 claims. At Adams Autoworx we are not surprised at this discrepancy - many clients who had their catalytic converters stolen drive older cars, and so do not carry comprehensive insurance coverage, which would pay for catalytic converter replacement. They pay out-of-pocket. Apparently nationwide that number is significant – hence Carfax estimate is 3 times higher than insurance company data. This number also makes sense when considering that new catalytic converters are often on back-order, and depending on the vehicle model, one may have to wait months to get a replacement. If the lower number (as reported by insurance companies) were correct, auto repair industry would not be experiencing so many delays getting the new catalytic converters ... read more

Proper wheel alignment is important for comfortable ride, better vehicle stability and tire wear. At Adams Autoworx in Castro Valley we offer Subaru wheel alignment on our state-of-the-art computerized alignment machine. Wheel alignment is a recurring  issue – bumping into a curb or  driving over a pothole  (as you must have noticed, Bay Area roads are full of potholes), can throw the wheels out of alignment, which in turn will cause accelerated tire wear, and decrease comfort and vehicle control. When the wheels are out of alignment, your Subaru will exhibit behaviors that can be considered “road signs” indicating that alignment check is in order: Uneven tire wear Our auto care facility in Castro Valley offers complimentary tire inspections – it we notice uneven tire wear, whether “scalloping”, excessive inner wear or excessive outer wear, we will let you know that wheel alignment is indicated. Your Subaru ... read more

Toyota vehicles are extremely popular in the Bay Area – reliable, value priced, and if well maintained, they will last for 200,000 – 300,000 miles.  At Adams Autoworx we offer premier Castro Valley Toyota service and repair. Whether your Toyota Corolla needs transmission fluid flush, or your Toyota RAV4 needs new brakes, our technicians will get your vehicle serviced and ready for the road. To get the most value out of your Toyota, we recommend regular oil service and following manufacturer’s schedule of services. If you adhere to the manufacturer recommended maintenance schedule, your Toyota will reward you with years of faithful, reliable service. At Adams Autoworx we combine superior customer service with technical excellence – technicians working on your Toyota are certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), and they use state-of-the-art digital diagnostic equipment to get to the root cause of any problem your Toyota m ... read more

Your Subaru has an electrical system that comprises a range of components including battery, starting system and alternator, among others. There are also dozens of sensors and embedded special-purpose computers that gather and send information about the overall condition of your Subaru. Needless to say, when one of these components fails, you may begin to experience different issues with your Subaru. Electrical problems are not as common as mechanical issues, but they often are more difficult to pinpoint, so it takes an experienced mechanic to diagnose and repair electrical problems.   Signs your Subaru may have electrical issues While identifying the cause of an electrical fault might require technical expertise, there are a few symptoms that tell you it’s time to get professional help for your Subaru: Engine might struggle to crank Starting your Subaru requires a significant amount of electrical power, which is supplied by the battery ... read more

No, we are not talking about the price cuts – though if you were driving within the last 3 months or so on I-880 through Fremont, you might have noticed a lot of Teslas sitting in the parking lot – that’s an unusual sight. So price cuts were likely to follow. But the good news for everyone is that Tesla is making more and more spare parts available to independent auto repair shops – so over time we will be able to expand our Tesla maintenance and repair services.  You will no longer have to wait weeks for an appointment at the Tesla repair center. Adams Autoworx is the premier Castro Valley auto care facility that also offers selected Tesla maintenance services. We can also provide your Tesla with tire rotation new tires as well. So if your Tesla needs a bit of TLC, call our family owned and operated Castro Valley auto care garage to make an appointment – we are happy to be of service.  

Adams Autoworx is your one-stop Lexus repair shop in Castro Valley. The engine is like a heart of your Lexus – when it does not work well, neither will your Lexus. Engine issues can impact performance of your Lexus, impact fuel efficiency, or in the extreme cases, prevent your Lexus from moving. To minimize chances of problems, we recommend regular oil changes, following manufacturer recommended service schedule, and bringing in your Lexus for a checkup when you notice that something is “not right” – even if you can’t quite tell what is causing your concern. Signs your Lexus’ engine needs attention The following signs should motivate you take the time to visit your local mechanic: Woresening gas mileage If you notice you no longer go as far on a tank of gas like you used to, it is time to get your Lexus checked out – declining gas mileage is a sign that your Lexus needs a checkup. Loss of power ... read more