Santa Cruz Auto Repair

A while back we wrote about Goodyear using dandelion latex instead of tree harvested latex in order to produce tires with sustainable materials. Well, recently Goodyear announced that they created a tire that consists of 90% sustainable materials. Apparently the tire materials include high recycled content steel, rice husk waste, pine resin, and soybean oil. It also uses recycled polyester. The tire is said to have passed regulatory tests, as well as Goodyear’s internal tests for durability and performance. We don’t know how long it will take for Goodyear to organize supply chain that would allow it to scale production, but we expect it will be a while before Goodyear Tires and Auto Repair in Santa Cruz can offer you 90% sustainable tires. Ultimately, Goodyear wants to produce tires that are made 100% of sustainable-materials. Currently they offer no guidance as to when such tires may become a reality, but we applaud a lofty goal. Having said that, as soon as the 90% su ... read more

Automotive transmission system allows for smooth power transfer from the engine to the wheels. Transmission consists of multiple components that have to be lubricated and cooled – that’s the job of the transmission fluid. At Goodyear Tires and Auto Repair in Santa Cruz we offer transmission fluid change, aka transmission fluid flush, for all vehicles, foreign and domestic. Vehicles need transmission fluid flush because the fluid deteriorates over time. Heat, friction, and passage of time cause the transmission fluid to lose its protective chemical and mechanical properties. It also picks up all kinds of gunk and grime that gets created when multiple parts work in close proximity – it’s natural for this to happen, but it further decreases transmission fluid’s lubricating capability, hence transmission fluid exchange is highly recommended – it serves to improve shifting, and extend transmission life. Depending on the transmission typ ... read more

Tire repair is a fact of life for car owners, unfortunately. A stray nail can cause a major inconvenience, especially if the puncture is so severe that you have to use a spare tire. If you are lucky, only a slow leak develops and after the tire warning light lets you know that something is amiss with your tires, you will be able to add air and  look for a "tire shop near me". At Goodyear Tires and Auto Repair in Santa Cruz we offer on-the-spot tire repairs. While not all tire punctures are repairable, we will inspect the tire and let  you know if your's is. If so, we will get it repaired and back on your car, usually in less than an hour. If the tire's sidewall has been compromised, or the puncture is too large, such tires cannot be repaired. In that case, we offer a wide range of replacement tires, including Continental tires, Bridgestone and Michelin tires as well. So next time  your vehicle picks up a nail, or develops a tire leak, call Goodyear T ... read more

Engine diagnostics and repairs are some of the more complex skills that a mechanic can learn. At Goodyear Tires and Auto Repair, the premier full service Santa Cruz auto repair shop, our technicians are not only highly skilled, but are also certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). If your Honda experiences engine problems, bring it to our Santa Cruz auto care facility – you will find friendly customer service and technical excellence that will assure that your Honda gets fixed and back on the road. Honda engine problems can vary in severity and symptoms, but if you notice any of the symptoms we list below, it’s time for a visit to our Santa Cruz auto repair shop – these symptoms tell you that your Honda needs help. Check engine light coming “on” is not to be ignored – without professional inspection, it’s not possible to tell if it’s a minor issue, or if you are damaging your car by driving with the c ... read more

Braking system is the primary safety system of your Toyota. At Goodyear Tires and Auto Repair, the premier Santa Cruz full service auto repair facility, we provide comprehensive brake repairs and services, including Toyota brake fluid change. Regular brake fluid change is important to the proper functioning of your vehicle’s brake system. Brake fluid works under high pressure and high heat conditions. Over time it will suffer from chemical deterioration due to age and high heat, will pick up grime and other impurities as it circulates through the system, and it will absorb moisture from the environment. This last condition – increased water content of the brake fluid - can cause increased braking distance, and in severe cases, it can even cause brakes failure. Car manufacturers offer different time / mileage intervals for brake fluid changes, shortest being 20,000 miles, and some as long as 150,000 miles. At our Santa Cruz auto repair shop we recommend brake fluid test af ... read more

Honda Spark Plugs Replacement in Santa Cruz, CA Spark plugs are vital to the proper functioning of your Honda’s engine. Depending on the quality and materials used to manufacture the spark plugs, they will need to be replaced every 30,000 – 90,000 miles. At Goodyear Tires and Auto Repair in Santa Cruz we offer complete Honda maintenance and repair, including spark plugs replacement. If the spark plugs are not replaced in time, your vehicle may exhibit a number of symptoms, including: trouble starting, check engine light being illuminated, engine misfire, poor fuel economy, rough idling. While these symptoms can be caused by other factors, they can be caused by failing spark plugs. If you bring your vehicle to our Santa Cruz auto repair facility, our nationally ASE certified technicians will use state-of-the-art digital tools to diagnose your Honda, and if the spark plugs turn out to be at fault, we can replace them, usually the same day. So if your Honda ... read more

Subaru Brake Service in Santa Cruz, CA Goodyear Tires and Auto Repair is a full service Santa Cruz auto care facility. In addition to tires, we offer complete range of automotive repairs, including Subaru brake service. Brakes are the most important safety system of a car. Our highly skilled mechanics service your Subaru’s brakes, as well as diagnose and repair any brake problems it may exhibit. Regular brake service gives one the peace of mind that comes from knowing that brakes were serviced by highly trained, highly experienced professionals. In addition to the feeling of safety, regular brake service saves you money as well – some brake conditions, if not serviced in a timely manner, will result in damage and higher repair costs. Here are some signs that it’s time to bring your Subaru to an auto repair shop for brake service: Everyone wants peace of mind in knowing that their brakes will not fail. A regular brake service ensures that you are ab ... read more

The Rain Is Coming – Wheel Alignment and Tire Check in Santa Cruz, CA Even though California is suffering from a drought, there are still many rainy days each year. That’s why at Goodyear Tires & Auto Repair we recommend bringing your vehicle in for a wheel alignment and tire check.    We recommend wheel alignment check once a year – properly aligned wheels extend tire life and improve vehicle handling, which is important on wet roads. Our Santa Cruz auto care facility uses state-of-the-art tire alignment machine to get your vehicle’s wheels properly aligned. These machines can detect and correct misalignment so slight that it is not noticeable to the human eye.    We also recommend tire check – we can inspect your vehicle’s tires for signs of age related deterioration, as well as check the tread depth. Tread depth is vital during rain, because tires have to evacuate prodigious amounts of wat ... read more

Avoid Unexpected Engine Repairs Last thing anybody wants is to get stuck somewhere on the road with an engine problem. While there are no guarantees, there are 3 simple things you can do to minimize the probability of such an event: 1. Give your vehicle regular oil changes – it’s a simple maintenance task, but when performed at our Santa Cruz auto repair shop, it can make huge difference in the reliability of your vehicle. Oil change extends life of the engine, and improves performance.  At Goodyear Tires and Auto Repair it also means that we get to see other subsystems of your vehicle, and can often spot impending problems – before they become breakdowns. 2. Do not ignore warning lights – when your car’s computer turns on a warning light, it means that something is not working correctly. Ignoring the warning light can cause further deterioration of the subsystem that caused the computer to tur ... read more

Drive belts transfer power from the crankshaft to an AC compressor, alternator, or the power steering pump.  Friction between the belt and the pulleys provides the power transfer. In order to increase friction, pulleys and belts have grooves that line up so the contact area between the belt and the pulleys is increased – generating more friction. As time goes by, the belt will wear down, and may begin to slip – not a good thing. That’s why we recommend regular service, including drive belt inspection for signs of excessive wear and cracks. At Goodyear Tires and Auto Repair in Santa Cruz we offer wide range of services and repairs. Including drive belt(s) inspections. If we find any issues with the drive belt(s), we will let you know. Any repairs performed by our ASE nationally certified technicians are covered by 24 month / 24,000 mile warranty. So bring your vehicle to our Santa Cruz auto repair shop. You can make an appointment online, or call the shop direc ... read more