Car & Truck Care

Enhance Your Drive: Wide-ranging Solutions for Car and Truck Maintenance

At Alternative Automotive, we recognize that it is crucial to keep your vehicle in top condition for a seamless, secure, and pleasant driving journey. Our experienced team is committed to offering thorough services for cars and trucks, accommodating all types, models, and fuel systems in Murrieta.

Whether you need regular maintenance or require larger repairs, we have you covered. Our modern facility is furnished with the most up-to-date tools and technology to guarantee your vehicle is given top-notch care and attention.

30/60/90K Mileage-Based Maintenance

Regular maintenance not only extends the life of your vehicle but also keeps it running at its best. The majority of manufactures advise 30,000-mile intervals for automobile maintenance, following the 30/60/90K mile plan that is given to car owners. Our team of professionals can help you stay on track while maintaining the condition, performance, and resale value of your car. Covered by the 30/60/90K service are:

Replacing fluids
Changing the oil and filter.
Rotating tires, balancing spin, and adjusting pressure.
Inspection of parts and systems, including belts, hoses, tires, brake pads, and gears.
With increased mileage: spark plugs, belts, and timing belts if necessary.

Belts, Hoses, and Cooling System Maintenance

A drive belt, also referred to as a fan belt, runs from the engine of your automobile to the front-mounted accessories. The water pump and engine fan are turned by the fan belt, which keeps the engine and its parts cool. Your car’s fan belts will eventually dry out and snap. You can trust Alternative Automotive for all of your car repair requirements when the time comes for a replacement.

It is imperative that you replace the belts with high-quality ones and get the service done by professionals. Visit Alternative Automotive right now to get the belts changed by professionals in auto cooling and heating and to get your car operating properly again. Alternative Automotive’s specialists will replace any worn-out belts, adjust the ones that are already fitted, and do a comprehensive inspection of your car’s belts.

Check Engine Light Diagnostics

The light might indicate a simple issue like a loose gas cap or a more serious one like a defective catalytic converter. We at Alternative Automotive are able to extract the code and provide you with an accurate diagnosis. For our knowledgeable assistance, give us a call at 951-677-0027 or stop by the shop.

Factory-Recommended Service

A factory-recommended repair and maintenance program is included with vehicles and auto components. How frequently to maintain or replace an auto item is specified by the manufacturer. Remember that we repair both domestic and foreign automobiles with either gas or diesel engines. Our expert car technicians have the in-depth training and practical experience required to perform this service.

Lighting and Bulb Replacement

Maintaining the best possible vision and your safety requires that the headlight bulbs in your car be kept in excellent operating condition. Even though changing out broken headlight bulbs is a simple and quick procedure, it is strongly advised that you leave this work to qualified car experts. In this manner, you can guarantee your safety by having professional installers install high-quality lights. Keep in mind that this is an essential part of maintaining your vehicle.

Oil, Lube, and Filter changes

Lubricant, oil, and oil filters are essential for your car’s seamless functioning. The internal engine parts are cleaned, cooled, and lubricated using oil. Engine oil gets tainted over time. There are several factors that determine how often your car needs to have its oil, lubricant, and filter changed. Give your vehicle to Alternative Automotive in Murrieta, California when it’s time for a lubrication, oil, or filter change.

Wiper Blade Replacement

Being seen is essential for safe driving. Your driving safety is increased when your wipers are operating properly. Replace your car’s wipers right away if they aren’t working as well as they should and are creating lines or streaks. For your vehicle to get premium wiper blades fitted, give us a call at 951-677-0027. We will install high-quality, efficient wiper blades on your vehicle.

Motor Oil FAQs

How do you go about doing an oil change?

Empty the old engine oil and remove the plug.
Take off the old oil filter.
Put in a fresh oil filter in its place.
After changing the plug, add fresh oil.
Make sure the oil levels are proper by checking.

What are the four different types of motor oil for engines?

Engine oil is currently divided into four primary types for usage in automotive maintenance. You may find out what kind of motor oil your car needs by consulting its owner’s handbook. It is crucial to apply the appropriate motor oil type at all times. There are 4 kinds of motor oil available:

The most popular kind of motor oil used in automobiles is conventional petroleum-based motor oil.
Synthetic motor oil is a lubricant composed of synthetic chemicals created by disassembling and reassembling petroleum molecules.
Combining synthetic and regular petroleum motor oil results in synthetic mix motor oil.
High mileage oil – This type of motor oil is most commonly used in commercial vehicles and contains additives and seal enhancers that reduce leaks.

Oil Filter FAQs

How frequently should an oil filter be replaced?

To find out how often to service the oil filter in your car, go to the owner’s handbook. While some manufacturers advise replacing the oil filter every time your oil is changed, others advise doing it every other time.

What are the different types of oil filters?

The most prevalent kind of disposable oil filter seen in automobiles nowadays is the cellulose media filter.
Synthetic media filter: Constructed from premium synthetic fibers, this filter can better endure intricate chemical reactions and effectively capture and eliminate even the tiniest particles.
Micro glass media filters are premium oil filters that include extremely small metal or glass media.

Leaking Fluid FAQs

If there's a tiny oil leak in my driveway from my car, what should I do?

Use sand, clay kitty litter, cornmeal, cornstarch, or baking soda to cover the spill if it’s still wet. Before the oil seeps into the cement, this will aid in its absorption. The absorbent material should be removed once the spill has had time to dry. Next, use water and soap to remove any leftover stain. Your automobile may be having problems if there is a tiny oil leak in your driveway. To get the issue with your automobile diagnosed, take it to Alternative Automotive. An oil leak may have a major impact on the engine of your automobile, so don’t overlook it.

Why is my foot on the driver's side becoming wet?

A clogged drain pipe from the air conditioner is the most frequent reason. Alternative Automotive is doing a straightforward fix on this. Water dripping on your foot on the driver’s side of the car might also be caused by a leaking heat exchanger or a faulty door seal.

Why is a sweet-smelling fluid pouring from my car?

Coolant or antifreeze leaks are the most likely source of a sweet-smelling fluid coming from your automobile. A coolant leak has the potential to worsen. When the coolant or antifreeze levels in your car drop too low, it can overheat and could harm the engine.

Windshield Wipers FAQs

What is the price of replacing wipers on a windshield?

Replacement windshield wiper blades typically cost between $40 and $80, including labor and supplies. We can promptly and reasonably repair your windshield wipers if you stop by Alternative Automotive in Murrieta.

Why do my wipers not function on my windshield?

Burst fuses are the most common reason of non-working wiper motors. Visit Alternative Automotive so we can replace the fuse in a timely and cost-effective manner. Electrical issues with the wiper motor or control arm are other causes of windshield wiper failure. The most common reason for your windshield wipers not clearing the water is worn-out or damaged wiper blades.

Can I change one or both of the wiper blades on my windshield?

The other windshield wiper blade is likely to fail shortly if the first one is worn out and malfunctioning. Typically, windshield wiper blades are offered in pairs. Replacing both at once is typically more cost-effective. Replace your car’s front and rear wiper blades at the same time if you have them.

FAQs About Automobile Squeaks, Squeals and Rattles

When I accelerate, why do my wheels make chirping noises?

A faulty wheel bearing is the most frequent cause of chirping or squealing sounds made by your car’s wheels, particularly as you accelerate. A wheel bearing starting to fail may also be the source of any grinding or grating sounds you hear from your wheel. Visit Alternative Automotive whether you’re in Murrieta, Temecula, Fallbrook, French Valley, or the nearby region, and we’ll immediately identify the issue.

When I start my automobile in the morning, why does it squeal?

When you start your car’s engine, a worn-out cambelt, also called a timing belt, will make a loud noise. It could sound like screeching, hissing, or rumbling. This sounds like the impending failure of a cambelt. An engine failure caused by a broken cambelt might damage your automobile. Visit Alternative Automotive to get it changed immediately.

When I turn the steering wheel, my automobile makes a noise. Why is that?

The most frequent reason for odd sounds or clicks coming from your car’s steering wheel is insufficient steering fluid. Unwanted sounds are produced when air enters the steering system and the amount of steering fluid diminishes with time. To replenish your fluid reservoir with power steering fluid, visit Alternative Automotive. The noises ought to cease immediately. If the sound comes back rapidly, there may be a steering fluid leak in your vehicle. Our Murrieta experts can assist you in promptly and reasonably diagnosing and fixing leaks.

Is there a repair for rattling engines?

Indeed. A lot of engine rattles may be easily and quickly remedied. One of the most frequent causes of noisy engines is a collapsed valve lifter. This has to be fixed right away to prevent misfires. Low oil pressure, a malfunctioning drive belt, or a failing tensioner belt are other typical problems that require quick treatment. An inadequate connection between the rod and the crankshaft might be the cause of the intermittent rattling. A corroded heat shield or a fractured flex plate might be the source of the loud noise. Engine hotspot pings, piston slaps, or deteriorating sound-dampening components like engine insulation can cause an engine rattle in higher usage cars. A broken catalytic converter can occasionally produce noises similar to an engine rattle.

My automobile is squealing. Why is that happening?

The fan belt can be sliding. A few warning indicators, such a squeaking or chirping sound, should be heard. The pulley and belt being out of alignment is typically the source of those sounds. Our skilled car mechanics at Alternative Automotive in Murrieta can adjust it to silence the noise and address it before your fan belt fails entirely.

My brakes squeak. Why is that?

Brake wear is the most prevalent cause of squeaking brakes. When the brake pad’s metal wear indicator makes contact with the metal rotor, it makes a squeaking sound. Since your car’s brakes are its most important safety component, visit Alternative Automotive and have them updated immediately. If the only squeaking you hear when you first start driving in the morning is when you press the brake pedal the first two or three times, it’s probably nothing to worry about because moisture built up over night.