Monterey Collision & Auto Repair

Photo by Severn Demchuk On Unsplash The Benefits of Professional Vehicle Detailing There are many things to do if you want to keep your car looking and feeling its best, and one of the best ways is through professional vehicle detailing. At CARSTAR Robert’s in Monterey, California, it’s our mission to keep our community safe on the road. Believe it or not, professional detailing services can help do it! We discuss more in our blog below.  What is Professional Vehicle Detailing? Professional car detailing is a deep and intensive process to clean and restore your car to a like-new state. And no, it isn't the same as getting your car washed!  While a car wash typically involves cleaning everyday dirt off your car, detailing involves a lot more work and, in the end, maintains your car’s quality and overall resale value.  Benefits of Professional Vehicle ... read more

  How Servicing Your Vehicle Power System Will Help You Avoid Trouble Your vehicle's power system is a critical component that ensures the proper functioning of electrical systems, ignition, and overall performance. Regular servicing and maintenance of the power system can help you avoid unexpected breakdowns, extend the life of your vehicle, and save you from costly repairs.   In this article, we will explore the importance of servicing your vehicle's power system and the steps you can take to ensure trouble-free driving. Understanding the Vehicle Power System The vehicle power system comprises various components that provide electrical power and ensure smooth operation. These components include the battery, alternator, starter, belts, pulleys, fuses, ignition, and fuel. A well-functioning power system is essential for powering electrical components, starting the engine, and maintaining proper ignition. Regular Maintenance and Inspection Regular maintenance a ... read more

Window tint - Pros and Cons Tinted windows are great for a number of reasons. They can block dangerous UV rays, they look good, and also offer some privacy, so you don't feel like you are driving in a fishbowl when on the road. Keep in mind; there is such a thing as too dark of tint.   Is It Legal? In the south, we encounter many cars with really dark tinted windows. The advantage of dark tint is heat repellant and UV ray reduction. The intense heat of the south does tend to tax your air conditioner, so it is an advantage. As we move to the northern states, dark tint tends to signal that whoever is inside may have reason to hide. Many states have laws in place to limit the tinting of vehicle windows.   Vision Limitation Yes, tinted windows can keep your eyes from sun damage, on darker days, that same tint can impede your vision. Missing an animal crossing the road, a car without headlights, or worse yet, a child running into the way could mean ultimate disaster. It ... read more

  Tinted windows are great for a number of reasons. They can block dangerous UV rays, they look good, and also offer some privacy, so you don't feel like you are driving in a fishbowl when on the road. Keep in mind; there is such a thing as too dark of tint.   Is It Legal? In the south, we encounter many cars with really dark tinted windows. The advantage of dark tint is heat repellant and UV ray reduction. The intense heat of the south does tend to tax your air conditioner, so it is an advantage. As we move to the northern states, dark tint tends to signal that whoever is inside may have reason to hide. Many states have laws in place to limit the tinting of vehicle windows.   Vision Limitation Yes, tinted windows can keep your eyes from sun damage, on darker days, that same tint can impede your vision. Missing an animal crossing the road, a car without headlights, or worse yet, a child running into the way could mean ultimate disaster. It is a good idea to re ... read more

  Aftermarket and alternative parts have their place in the repair process.   Believe it or not, some vehicles over four years of age begin encountering challenges when tracking down replacement parts. OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts may simply no longer be available, and the only option becomes aftermarket or salvaged parts to repair your vehicle.   Remember that for your monthly premium to remain affordable; insurance companies use aftermarket parts in the repair process. Would you use a cheaper part to save money if the two were nearly identical in every way? How about reusing a component that is still good? Insurance companies are faced with this same challenge, and so have come up with policies and protocols to streamline their approval process throughout your automobiles repair.   Collision shops love the fit and feel of an OEM part; it is the preferred part to work with. If aftermarket parts are available and insurance will not pay for an O ... read more

Happy New Year from our family at Robert’s Collision and Repair to yours. This year, we’re especially grateful for your loyalty and ongoing business. Every day we do our best to deliver exceptional auto repair with fantastic customer service. Still, we know you have a choice when it comes to auto repair and we appreciate your ongoing business because it enables us to make contributions to you and our community in different ways. Here are a few examples:     By delivering exceptional auto repair and preventative maintenance, we’re doing our part to prevent accidents and make our roads safer. When you commit to ongoing maintenance, we’re helping you get best possible value from your vehicle and, at the same time, enabling you to get wherever you need to be when you need to be there.   Your ongoing business also enables us to support sports programs at Monterey High School.     There’s more to collision and auto repair than turn ... read more

Going on road trips is all a matter of perspective. You can look at it as boring or as an adventure! Music makes everything better! Having the right tunes for a road trip is essential to make the hours go faster. Perhaps you’ve always had dreams of being a rock star. This is your chance! A road trip paired with inspiring melodies and lyrics is a great way to bond with your passengers or belt it out at the top of your lungs with your family and friends in the car. The team at  Robert’s Collision & Repair wants your time on the road to be entertaining so we’ve compiled these 20 songs that are sure to be invigorating:   "LA Woman," The Doors "Rock Steady," Aretha Franklin "Going Down the Road Feelin' Bad," the Grateful Dead "Midnight Rider," Allman Brothers "I Get Around," Beach Boys Also, songs about cars. "Little Red Corvette," Prince "Given to Fly," Pearl Jam "The Bo ... read more

10% Off Labor for Car Battery Replacement. Offer valid through October 31, 2017. One coupon per visit. Not valid with other specials and offers.   October is Car Care Month and that is why Robert’s Collision & Repair is offering the following special:  10% Off Labor for Car Battery Replacement.   With all the electronics and systems pulling power from the car battery, it’s no wonder that batteries die more quickly. Today’s automobile electrical systems are getting more intricate and are stressing the limits of current technology, but they are generally designed from the same principles used 30-plus years ago. The battery is the vehicle’s power storage device used to start the engine and help operate the electrical accessories installed on your car. Average battery life has become shorter as energy requirements have increased. Lifespan depends on usage, which now averages 6 months to 48 months, yet only 30% of all batteries actually reach t ... read more

Top Electrical Problems in New Cars | Robert’s Collision & Repair in Monterey, CA When you purchase a new car, your expectations are sky-high. Modern vehicles, equipped with sophisticated electrical systems, offer unmatched convenience and functionality. However, these systems can also come with challenges. Electrical problems in new cars can hint at manufacturing defects or hidden wear-and-tear. Understanding the source of these issues is crucial to ensuring your car performs as expected. In this blog, we’ll explore some of the most common electrical problems in new cars and what they might indicate about your vehicle’s condition. Dead Battery A dead battery is one of the most common assumptions when a car’s electrical system fails. To check, try flashing your headlights. If they’re dim or don’t turn on at all, your battery may need a jump or replacement. A dead battery could also suggest that your car was more pre-owned tha ... read more

Car week in Monterey takes place August 11 - 20, and it just so happens to be one of our favorite events here on the Monterey Peninsula! This year’s events will be scattered across Seaside, Monterey, Carmel, Pacific Grove, and Pebble Beach. Monterey Car Week has become one of the most popular car shows in the world. Considering the week-long festivities and famous cars and car designs, it’s no wonder why! The show starts off on Alvarado Street in downtown Monterey with a car show that has over 30 classic cars lining the roads. The events later on in the week at Pebble Beach are so revered that many sponsors and car makers use the stage to introduce new car models and even offer test drives! The sponsors are not only car companies, they are also sponsored by Rolex and a handful of yacht and private jet representatives. It’s certainly a high mark for the attendants to meet, but the great thing about Car Week is that as long as you have a love for cars and make some tim ... read more

There are many ways to clean and organize your car, but all of them start with some good, old-fashioned spring cleaning. Here are our 5 steps to de-cluttering your car!   Cleaning. Yes, it’s the top of the list. Vacuuming the seats and floors, wiping down the dash and console, vacuuming the floor mats, washing your vehicle, and protecting it with wax or a sealant. All these regular cleaning tasks may be chores, but it’s the best place to start when tidying and sorting out the goodies from the trash in your car. Next, consider what you really need to have in your car. Return your mugs and water bottles, and miscellaneous containers to their rightful place indoors for a good wash. It would also do some good to go through your glove box, center console, and other storage compartments in your car. Do you really need every single paper evidencing your car’s SMOG from 2003 until now? Keep the necessary paperwork, and store or shred the rest. Tackle the trunk. I ... read more

$50 Off Timing Belt Replacement. Offer valid through February 28, 2017. One coupon per visit. Not valid with other specials and offers.   How’s your timing belt? Is it time to be replaced? If yes, Robert’s Collision & Repair has a deal for you that’s perfectly timed… $50 off timing belt replacement, good through the month of February.   Regardless of how many puns we can make about time, your vehicle’s timing belt is a highly critical component that must not be overlooked. If your timing belt breaks, it could mean catastrophic damage to your engine, and that could run you thousands of dollars in repair.   To stay on the safe side, be proactive and replace your timing belt when your vehicle requires major service before it becomes cracked, worn, torn or loose. Our offer of $50 off timing belt replacement is a sweetheart deal, and it’ll help keep you and your passengers the major inconvenience of a breakdown on a highway or by ... read more

Robert’s Collision & Repair has earned the reputation as the leading auto repair center on the Monterey Peninsula, but what exactly separates us from our competitors? We have a compiled a list of reasons:   Estimators located on site at our facility make the process of auto repair much easier. They can quickly estimate the cost and extent of the damage, so we begin repairing your vehicle that much faster. We’re a preferred vendor for several insurance companies, including GEICO, Farmers, State Farm, Progressive, USAA, and several other auto insurance carriers. In order to become a preferred vendor, you need to meet several standards and requirements. Basically, it is a big deal. Insurance companies trust us to properly repair your car. Our customer service is both professional and personable. We pay close attention to effectively and efficiently service your vehicle, while keeping you informed each step of the way. We boast an on-site Enterprise Rent-A-Car ... read more

What exactly is engine misfire? When your vehicle’s check engine appears on your dashboard, essentially, your engine is misfiring. There are a number of reasons why your engine could be misfiring. However, at Robert’s Collision & Repair, many of our customers face a similar problem.   If this scenario sounds at all familiar, we encourage you to bring your vehicle into our shop as soon as possible:   You are driving home in a heavy rainstorm one night, and you accidently drive through a puddle. This, of course, results in a wave of water washing over your car’s hood and window. Your check engine light immediately begins to flash, and your engine begins to misfire. Fortunately, you get home safely, but the next morning the check engine light appears again. After a few minutes, the light goes away. This pattern goes on for a few days and then stops. However, next time it rains, you are faced with the same problem. As you can see, this is a complex iss ... read more

  Auto battery Safety Month is in October. To celebrate, Robert’s Collision & Auto Repair is happy to provide information about maintaining a car’s battery and warning signs of a dying battery.   Tips for maintaining a car's battery: If you can, park in a garage. A thoroughly insulated garage will keep your battery warm, which will prolong the life of the battery. Drive your vehicle on a routine basis. Avoid frequent, short drives. Try not to leave vehicle accessories on for a long period of time. For example, leaving a cell phone charger plugged in will require the battery to recharge constantly, which shortens the life of the battery. Make sure to have your vehicle serviced regularly. An engine in poor condition will overload the battery. Typically, batteries last about two to three years, but how do you know if your battery is on the verge of dying? Here are the signs to watch out for: Your engine cranks when you turn the key, but it will not st ... read more