Castro Valley Auto Repair

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

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

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

Castro Valley Hybrid Repair Shop   Welcome to the premier hybrid repair shop in Castro Valley – Adams Autoworx. It wasn’t that long ago that a hybrid vehicle was a novelty – today, we see hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and electric vehicles everywhere.    At Adams Autoworx we are the number one hybrid repair shop in Castro Valley and the surrounding areas – whether you drive a Toyota Prius Hybrid, Lexus Hybrid, Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, or a Hybrid Ford Explorer, our nationally ASE certified technicians have the latest digital diagnostic equipment, as well as advanced training in dealing with high voltage batteries, to diagnose and repair problems you hybrid vehicle may present.    As the hybrid and electric vehicles evolve, so do services offered by Adams Autoworx. It wasn’t so long ago that a hybrid battery replacement was an unusual event, but today, it’s just another task in a busy day ... read more

Subaru AC Refill in Castro Valley, CA Driving without air conditioning on a hot summer day is horrible. There are different reasons your Subaru’s AC might stop working, one of which is when it needs a refill. A simple ac recharge may be all you need to get the AC blowing cool air again.    Your Subaru’s air conditioning system uses a highly specialized refrigerant gas to keep the vehicle cool. Depending on the age of your Subaru, it may be R-134a or for newer cars, the R-1234YF refrigerant. At Adams Autoworx in Castro Valley we have equipment to handle either type of the refrigerant – whatever your Subaru needs, we have it ready.   In theory, your Subaru should never run out of the refrigerant, but like any system, the AC system can develop leaks. This can cause the refrigerant to drop very low. When this happens, the system has to be recharged with refrigerant for it to funct ... read more

Whether you searched for oil change near me, or for oil change in Castro Valley, thank you for visiting Adams Autoworx blog. We offer comprehensive auto repair and maintenance services and naturally we offer oil change for your vehicle.  It’s easy to ignore regular oil changes, yet a lowly oil change is one of the best things you can do for your vehicle. At Adams Autoworx we offer full synthetic oil which provides your vehicle’s engine with superior lubrication, and is a bit more forgiving than conventional oil or synthetic blend (a blend of conventional and synthetic oils) offered by other shops.  Regular oil change and oil filter change should be done every 5,000 miles or so.  It provides your vehicle with multiple benefits – it removes sludge and debris that naturally accumulate when the engine is working, it provides better lubrication, thus putting less strain on the engine – it serves to prolong engine life. When servicing our own veh ... read more

No, it’s not an April Fools’ Day joke. Walnut shell blasting is a procedure for cleaning vales of the direct injection engines.  Older GDI engines (direct injection engines) were designed to improve fuel economy and power through direct injection – they injected fuel directly into the combustion chamber. Unfortunately, over time this design can cause carbon buildup on the valves. Carbon buildup in turn, can cause poor drivability, hesitation, and can cause the check engine light to be illuminated by the onboard computer.  Walnut shell blasting is the solution.  Special equipment uses finely ground walnut shells to “blast” (using air pressure) the dirty valves. Walnut shells are a good abrasive ( and biodegradable too) and they remove carbon particles leaving clean valves for your driving enjoyment. So if you drive a vehicle equipped with a GDI engine – be it a BMW, Volkswagen, Audi, Kia or Mazda, we recommend having it inspected for ca ... read more

It wasn’t long ago that auto maintenance was a relatively simple task. Most guys would take machine shop at Castro Valley High, and were familiar with major subsystems of their cars. Tools were relatively inexpensive, and pretty much anybody could perform basic auto maintenance, like oil change, in their own garage. Things started changing in the 1980s, as car manufacturers introduced embedded computers to control various functions inside vehicles. The seminal event was the replacement of a carburetor with electronic fuel injection. For the first time, a critical function of an automobile was controlled by an embedded computer. Moving forward, more and more functions became computer controlled, resulting in modern cars becoming “computers-on-wheels”. Typical car sold today contains dozens of embedded computers, controlling fuel system, braking, air conditioning system, not to mention ADAS – advanced driver assistance systems – which are entirely computeri ... read more

Unfortunately the catalytic converter theft wave continues unabated. We keep reading on Nextdoor about Castro Valley catalytic converter thefts. For the past two years Adams Autoworx has been offering catalytic converter shields for Castro Valley residents. Adams Autoworx technicians can install a shield that is designed to discourage thieves from attacking your car. The process is fairly straightforward – depending on the make and model of your vehicle, we can get a shield that is designed specifically for your car, or a “universal” shield that can fit most cars. Our technicians will install it and make sure it is fully secured, and your car will be ready to go – shield installation can be completed in less than a day. If you are concerned about catalytic converter theft, we highly recommend getting the catalytic converter shield installed – for your peace of mind, and to protect your vehicle. To get more information about catalytic converter shield ins ... read more