Monterey Collision & Auto Repair

Tires are often the most taken-for-granted part of the car. They get kicked, worn, and they eventually go bald. However, tire safety is extremely important if you want to protect yourself from common road hazards. This month, we will start to experience the “First Flush” of rainstorms and slippery roads. “First Flush” conditions often cause vehicles to hydroplane more easily because the oil has not yet been fully washed off the roadway and the tires don’t grip as well they would in normal wet weather conditions. Don’t forget about your treks up into the mountains for skiing. You’ll not only come across possible rain, but also heavy or light snow, black ice, hail, and other winter weather. Are your tires in good enough shape to handle these weather conditions? It is dangerous and illegal to drive a vehicle with extremely worn or damaged tires. Tires must have at least 2/32 inches of tread depth in the proper grooves and no fabric breaks or exposed cords. The distance between the e ... read more

Halloween is one of our favorite holidays of the year at Robert's Auto Repair. The costumes...the candy...the fun...they're all wonderful. But all too often, we hear of tragedies where someone gets careless during the Halloween celebrations and is hit by a moving vehicle. To make sure that Halloween stays safe, we want to encourage everyone to bring your vehicle in for a free brake check so you can rest assured you won't be negatively affecting any Trick-Or-Treaters. You will qualify to get a FREE brake check if you call Robert's Auto Repair at 831-373-1534 and mention this blog when you schedule an appointment. This offer is good through October

When it was founded in 1914, Datsun was named after the surnames of its 3 founders--Den, Aoyoma, and Takeuchi. Over the years, the brand took several names and eventually became "Datsun" to phonetically sound like the "Son of DAT". The spelling of "Datson" was rejected in Japan because "son" means "loss" in Japanese, thus "Datsun" was born. The Nissan brand started being used in the 1930s, however, when the Nissan Motor Company was founded in 1934, it continued to market its vehicles under the Datsun brand name until 1999. The Nissan Maxima line is their best known automobile, but Nissan also has vehicles in the coupe, sports car, minivan, truck, crossover, SUV, and hybrid markets. Robert's Auto Repair is a Nissan maintenance and repair destination. Sometimes a vintage Datsun model will come in for service, but more frequently, our customers will bring us their Nissan Maximas, Nissan Sentras, Nissan Altimas, and Nissan Muranos, just to name a few ... read more

During the oil crisis of 1973 here in the United States, many consumers pushed for a more fuel-efficient choice of automobile. Toyota entered their gas-sipping vehicles en masse into the American market shortly thereafter. As Toyota's popularity grew, they developed the Lexus, Tundra, Camry, Solara, Avalon and Scion brands. Now, Toyota is a brand that dominates sales in the world-wide automobile market. Robert's Auto Repair is a Toyota maintenance and repair destination. Doesn't your Toyota deserve the same exemplary care often provided to luxury models? Robert's Auto Repair is the premier auto repair center on the Monterey Peninsula that offers full service for your vehicle. We love working on Toyota Camrys, Toyota Priuses, Toyota Solaras, Toyota Avalons, all the Lexus models, all the Scion brands, and the Toyota Tundras, just to name a few. Treat yourself and your Toyota today by taking it in for maintenance at R ... read more

Honda is one of the most popular car brands in the United States. Look anywhere on the road and chances are good that you'll be driving alongside, near, or behind a Honda. Hondas are great cars and they run for a very long time if maintained properly. Robert's Auto Repair is a Honda maintenance and repair destination. Look, we talk an awful lot about how we are like a Car Spa, but we don't just service luxury vehicles. In fact, we maintain Hondas all the time here at Robert's Auto Repair. Let's take the Car Spa concept a little further. EVERY vehicle deserves the royal treatment if you're going to rely on it to safely and dependably drive you around town. Doesn't your reliable, fuel-efficient, and lovable Honda deserve the best care? We love to service Honda Accords, Honda Civics, Honda Odysseys, Honda Hybrids, and Honda Pilots, just to name a few of the many makes of this popular auto manufacturer. Robert's Auto Repair is the premier auto repair center on the Mon ... read more

Ahhh, Fall. Autumn leaves begin to fall past the window... The air is fresh and the weather lovely... And the lucky car parked under a tree catches the birdie poop falling from above. Err....okay, so bird poop happens! Anyway, if you're looking to bring your car into Robert's Auto Repair "car spa" and get it detailed, we'd love to do it for you. Everyone likes it when they are clean and pretty, bright and shiny...including your vehicle. Bring your car, truck, or motorcycle in to Robert's Auto Repair during October so you can "Fall" in love with your car again! See our Detail Center video for a good look at what our detailing center can do for your ride, then make an appointment for your car's "spa treatment" at 831

When your vehicle goes through an accident that warrants it, you may get a new child's car seat. When we cart around precious cargo--like our children--we don't want to risk jeopardizing their safety. So, if a vehicle has been in a rough accident, your insurance company may very well authorize the replacement of your old child's car seat with a new one. Now, that's a smart way to preserve precious cargo. If your vehicle needs auto body repair of any kind, contact Robert's Auto Repair at 831-373-1535 and mention this blog when you schedule an appointment. If you do, we will give you a gift card to thank you for your business...but you MUST mention this blog

Robert's Auto Repair works with many auto insurance companies and we're very proud of it! Here is a list of those companies who currently have us on their preferred vendor lists: AAA Bristol West Farmer's Geico Metlife Permit General Progressive Unitrin If you do not see your insurance company listed above, no worries! Robert's Auto Repair has the ability to work with all auto insurance companies. If your vehicle needs auto body repair of any kind, contact Robert's Auto Repair at 831-373-1535 and mention this blog when you schedule an appointment. If you do, we will give you a gift card to thank you for your business...but you MUST mention this blog

Creep....creep....creep.... Ever notice how your brakes might slip a little and creep forward when you're at a stop? Yep, that's when you know you need to come to Robert's Auto Repair for a FREE brake safety inspection. Don't let soft and sloppy brakes put you or your precious cargo in harm's way...especially as you start off the school year. If you have any of these things happening with your vehicle, it's time to come in for a FREE brake safety inspection: Your brake pedal shifts levels after you've had your foot on it for a while. Your brakes are making any kind of noise. Your brakes feel soft and sloppy. Your vehicle wants to creep forward into a crosswalk. If it's been a while since you've had your brakes checked. If any of this sounds familiar, don't wait long before contacting Robert's Auto Repair for a FREE brake safety inspection at 831-373-1534. In order to get your FREE brake safety inspection, make sure you mention this blog. Otherwise, you may be charged for your Brak ... read more

Pencils?   ...Check! Pens?   ...Check! Paper?   ...Check! Books?   ...Check! FREE Vehicle Inspection for Back to School Safety?    ...Call Robert's Auto Repair! Make sure you include a FREE Vehicle Safety Inspection on your To-Do List when gearing up for the school season. If you contact Robert's Auto Repair for a FREE Vehicle Safety Inspection, we will provide you a Multi-Point Inspection Report Card as recommended by your vehicle's manufacturer. On this report card, we check off the green, yellow, and red boxes that relate to your fluid levels, mechanical systems, battery health, brakes and brake linings, tire tread depth and wear patterns, and overall maintenance. In order to get your FREE Vehicle Safety Inspection before heading back to school, call Robert's Auto Repair to schedule an appointment at 831-373-1534 and mention this blog. If you forget to mention this blog, you may be charged for your Mul ... read more

They say the devil is in the details, but we, at Robert's Auto Repair, believe that its the details that make us special. Customer Service Details--we pay attention to the little details about your vehicle, your needs, and we pride ourselves on our customer service. We even go to the trouble to wash your vehicle before we return it to you and text you when your vehicle is ready for pick-up. Atmospheric Details--our facility is beautiful, clean, and has plenty of natural lighting coming in through the skylights. The lovely atmosphere of our facility makes it easier for all of us to pay attention to the details. Our Detailing Center Details--our detailing center staff are sticklers for details, for sure. They are meticulous about making sure the repairs, touch-ups, and painting are done correctly and beautifully. Mechanical Details--we use factory-specified, precision instruments to make sure your alignment is straight, that anything damaged is lined up ... read more

Today's cars frequently have very long lives, and the original paint on many cars last well past 10 years, if maintained properly. Older vehicles tend to show their age over time, due to constant exposure to the sun, bird poop, sea air, scratches, dings, and suicidal insects. For those cars that do not get garaged frequently, the paint eventually develops what is known as "sunburn". In order to make your car look years younger, it may be a good idea to repaint the car. At Robert's Auto Repair, our green-certified waterborne painting process is fast, efficient, restorative, and is not harmful to the environment. See our Repair & Process video for a good look at how we can restore and repaint your vehicle. Call us at 831-373-1535 to schedule an appointment to touch up or fully repaint your vehicle. You'll be thrilled at how new your car looks with a fresh coat of paint

Summer is the perfect time to show off your ride. There are so many summertime car shows that sometimes it's hard to choose! Here are some famous car shows that many car aficionados from the Monterey Peninsula may participate in: Hot August Nights in Reno, NV, August 1 - 8, 2010 NISEI Week Car Show in Los Angeles, CA, August 14, 2010 Concours d'Elegance in Pebble Beach, CA, August 15, 2010 Cherry's Jubilee at Laguna Seca Raceway, CA, September 8 - 12, 2010 When you are proud of your vehicle and you want to enter your car, truck, or bike in a show, you want to make sure it looks TERRIFIC! Robert's Auto Repair has an auto detailing center that can make your car look gorgeous. See our Detail Center video ... read more

Many who love to celebrate the automobile equally love to attend the Concours d'Elegance in Pebble Beach every year in August. This year's event will be held on August 15, 2010. "First conducted in 1950, the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance is often said to be the world’s premier celebration of the automobile. Only the most beautiful and rare automobiles are invited to appear on the famed eighteenth fairway of Pebble Beach Golf Links each year, and connoisseurs of art and technology congregate to see them.' 'The annual affair, which has raised over $12 million for charity, includes a series of related events, such as the Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance presented by Rolex, Pebble Beach RetroAuto, Pebble Beach Motoring Classic and the Pebble Beach Auction pr ... read more

Those of us that live in Monterey County know how lucky we are to be so close to the legendary Laguna Seca Raceway. Made famous as the site of the Red Bull MotoGP and the challenging "corkscrew" portion of its raceway, Laguna Seca is a world-renowned Mecca for racing fans. We, at Robert's Auto Repair, are big fans of anything automotive, and we love attending the local events at Laguna Seca. There are plenty of automotive events to keep you occupied all summer long at Laguna Seca. Here is a quick look at their calendar highlights: Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix races from July 23 - July 25 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion from August 12 - August 15 Cherry's Jubilee from September 9 - September 12 If you're not a professional racer, but are proud of your vehicle, Robert's Auto Repair would be equally proud to serve as your "Pit Crew". Our full service aut ... read more

Here's an interesting statistic about summer: it is the season with the highest number of accidents and emergency room visits. Why is this? Well, a lot of it has to do with the fact that more people are outside playing, driving around more, and getting into various levels of trouble. Warmth and sunshine can do that to you. Why else do you think Independence Day and Bastille Day happened in the hot month of July? Anyway, as you can imagine, more auto accidents happen in summer, too. That's why Robert's Auto Repair is proud of its role as your car's "first responder". If you are in an accident on the Monterey Peninsula, chances are very good that our neighbors, Monterey Garage and Towing, will be the ones to tow your car to safety. Insurance adjusters are often found on-site at Robert's Auto Repair, and we even have an on-site Enterprise Rental Car office. Think of us as your car's "emergency room". So, if accidents are going to happen, doesn't it feel better to know that Robert's ... read more

Robert's Auto Repair is a proud sponsor of the local high school sports teams within the Monterey Peninsula. Here are some of the reasons why we participate in our local sports community. The smell of freshly mown grass at the ball park... The crack of the bat as it hits a home run... The sound of cheers and applause as the crowd goes wild... The grins beaming from dirt-smudged and sweaty faces... The sense of community, knowing all the families and watching the kids grow... The sense of pride, knowing that all teams are our teams... Of course, it doesn't hurt to be a known for auto body repair when a rogue ball escapes the field and dents a car. We're just saying.... Show your support and wear your school's team jersey when you come in and visit Robert's Auto Repair for auto body repair, mechanical repair, our detailing center, or our tire service center. 831

Robert's Auto Repair is very proud to be the only green-certified auto body shop in the Monterey Peninsula. What makes us so green? Mostly, its our environmentally-friendly paint that we use on the vehicles. Here is a definition of waterborne paint: "Waterborne paints have been evaluated as alternatives to solvent-based paints. The volatile organic compound (VOC) content of waterborne paints is significantly lower than conventional solvent-based paints, thereby reducing VOC emissions. Waterborne (or latex) paints are composed of synthetic resins and pigments that are kept dispersed in water by surfactants. They also contain small amounts of coalescing solvents. Waterborne paints dry by evaporation of the water. The coalescing solvents allow the resin particles to fuse together (coalesce) as the water evaporates to form a continuous coating. Waterborne paints must be protected from freezing and applied at a minimum temperature of 50 degrees Fahrenheit.' 'Waterborne paints reduce VOC ... read more

We love writing our blog, but sometimes there's nothing better than seeing a video or two to get the point across. Grab the popcorn and get ready to watch our series of videos about our Robert's Auto Repair customer service, repair & process, products & services, detail center, and tire service center. Video Gallery After you've been convinced that we're the place you want to be, give us a call at 831-373-1534 to schedule an appointment for your car's "spa treatment

As we gear up for summer fun, don't forget to make room in your schedule for the First Annual Pharaohs Rod Run to The Moose on Saturday, July 10, 2010, from Noon to 8 PM, located at the Monterey Moose Lodge on Canyon Del Rey (Highway 218) in Del Rey Oaks!  Here is a map.This is the first-time event for the new local car club, The Pharaohs, and Robert's Auto Repair is proud to be one of the sponsors.Join us between Noon to 8:00 PM on Saturday, July 3, for a family-fun time.  We will have BBQ and beverages, live music, raffle prizes, hot rod roadsters and bikes, and there's even a swimming pool!  Our live music consists of 3 bands:  Chicago Fire, Roadhaus, and Los High Tops ... read more

At Robert's Auto Repair, we pride ourselves on pampering you and your vehicles. We are the premier auto body repair center on the Monterey Peninsula and very proud of it. Yes, we repair your vehicle, a lot like other auto shops do, but do they hand wash your car before you pick it up? Do other mechanics have the state-of-the-art, high-tech equipment to refurbish your car to factory specifications? Can other auto shops do the same level of work and complete the project as rapidly as Robert's Auto Repair? At the time of this writing, we are the only green-certified auto body repair center in Monterey County... and we are especially proud of those bragging rights! What we're talking about is dealer-level service, without the dealer-level prices. Come see what we're talking about and call 831-373-1535 to schedule a "spa treatment" for your vehicle. You'll be amazed at how rejuvenated your car will look

When it comes to vehicle maintenance and repair, knowledge truly is power. Understanding your car's needs not only enhances safety but also helps you avoid unnecessary accidents and expenses. At CARSTAR Robert's Collision, we believe in empowering our clients with the information they need to make informed decisions about their vehicles. Why Vehicle Knowledge Matters One of the primary reasons to familiarize yourself with your vehicle is safety. Regular maintenance checks and understanding warning signs can prevent breakdowns and accidents. For instance, knowing the significance of dashboard warning lights and the sounds your car makes can alert you to potential issues before they become serious problems. A well-maintained vehicle is less likely to require expensive repairs. By staying informed about your car's maintenance schedule, you can ensure timely servicing, which helps extend the lifespan of your vehicle and reduces the risk of major breakdowns. How to Communica ... read more

You know how you feel when you walk through someone's door and you feel warm and welcome?  It's a nice feeling, isn't it? That's how we try to make you feel when you walk through the front door of Robert's Auto Repair. Our 26,000 square foot facility is truly the Premier Auto Repair Center.  We love to think of Robert's Auto Repair as your car's "Spa", and we wanted to make you and your car feel welcome and stay awhile. Our lobby is bright, sunny, and welcoming with our granite-top front desk, glass mosaic mirrors, and soothing earth tones.  While you sit in our comfortable lobby, you can watch our staff and mechanics at work. If you prefer not to hang out with us, you are free to go, of course.  Our courtesy shuttle will take you to your home, work, or wherever--then pick you up--while your car gets pampered.  Or, if you prefer to have someone pick you up, we'll give you a call or send a text message when your car ... read more

I love it when I wake up in the morning, pain-free, feeling good, and ready for my day. On days like that, I feel unstoppable. Like everything's going my way. I feel like a smooth-running machine, like a racehorse, or like a marathon runner...moving like a finely-tuned, precision instrument. Sometimes, however, I feel off when I wake up. My neck aches because I slept on it wrong. I'm dragging out of bed. I don't feel motivated, excited, or joyful about the start of my day. That's when I'm not feeling precise about anything! So, how do you think your auto feels at the start of its day? Has it been maintained lately and given a new oil change? Are the tires looking good and properly inflated? Is the body looking smooth, shiny, and new? Is the engine purring? Are all the lights working? Without maintenance, precision flies out the window. Without precision, we feel and operate out of balance. When we're out of balance, we overcompensate and our parts start weari ... read more

Updated 6/17/24: Keep Your Car Hydrated: The Importance of Fluid Maintenance At Robert’s Collision & Repair, serving Monterey County since 1996, we believe that maintaining your vehicle’s health is as important as taking care of your own. Just like how health experts recommend drinking eight glasses of water a day to keep your body in top shape, your car requires various fluids to run smoothly and efficiently. In this blog, we will dive into the importance of regular fluid maintenance and how our services can keep your car running like new. Why Fluid Maintenance is Crucial Your car relies on several types of fluids to function properly. These include: Gasoline: Powers your engine and keeps your car moving. Engine Oil: Lubricates the engine components to prevent wear and tear. Coolant (Radiator Fluid): Keeps the engine from overheating. Brake Fluid: Ensures your brakes work effect ... read more

They say, "The Devil is in the details", but not at Robert's Auto Repair. Our detailing process removes those little devils that scratched your auto's paint and made it lose its shine. We have a top-of-the-line auto detailing center here at Robert's Auto Repair. In another blog, we talked about how you could take your automobile to the "car spa" here and give it a "facial". Well, our detailing center puts the on the finishing touches for a new-car-finish look. Our detailing specialists hand wash all the cars and offer paint protection packages, Wheel Brite, and Tire Shine. Want us to recondition the interior with our cleaners and shampoos? We can do it. Want us to thoroughly clean your carpets and seats? We can do it. Want to remove your vehicle's paint scratches and have a paint finish that sparkles like new again? We can do it. We make your auto body experience simple and easy at Robert's Auto Repair. Call now at 831-373-1535 to schedule your car's "facial" with our ... read more

The Unsung Heroes: Tires We often take tires for granted. We run them through mud, rocks, snow, and sand. We kick them and curse at them when they go flat. No wonder they're tired! Tires are often the most underappreciated part of our vehicles. Like our feet, we don't pay much attention to them until something goes wrong. At CARSTAR Robert's Collision, we understand the critical role tires play in your vehicle's performance and safety. While our primary focus has shifted to auto body and paint repair, detailing services, and helping customers navigate insurance claims, we still believe in the importance of tire maintenance and safety. After all, your tires are the only part of your car that touches the road. Our Commitment to Safety Our priority at CARSTAR Robert's Collision is your safety. While we specialize in collision repair, our ultimate goal is to prevent accidents in the first place. This is why we emphasize the importance of tire maintenance as a key as ... read more

Dents. They are to a car what a blemish is to a face--or worse--a black eye Did you know that at Robert's Auto Repair, your car can have its own "facial"? Think of our auto body shop as a car "spa" that can condition the car to look like it was when it was bright, shiny, and new. Let me explain our process. When your car arrives at Robert's Auto Repair, our estimator will assess your car's damage and provide an estimate for you, and if needed, your insurance company. Once the car is approved for dent repair, it will be placed in the auto body shop, where it will be carefully disassembled and repaired so that the damaged panels will be restored to their original shape. Next, the car is moved to the paint shop, where we use state-of-the-art equipment, and green-certified waterborne paint. Due to our outstanding, high-tech infrared equipment that paints, then bakes the paint at an even temperature, what used to take 6 to 8 hours in the auto body industry, now takes less than an hour ... read more

Keywords are a hot commodity in online marketing. If you are an auto body shop, such as Robert's Auto Repair, and want to be known for all the things you do, there are a lot of key words to include in your description. These keywords can be broken down into types of service, location, technical terms, and so on. This blog has been created to place a few key words into your memory, in an informative--if not entertaining--way. First, let's look at the key words that describe Robert's Auto Repair services. Obviously, there is "auto repair", "auto body", "car repair", and "auto body shop". Additionally, other key words that describe us are "detailing center", "tire service center", "green certified", "on-site Enterprise car rental" and "insurance approved". But what about the key words that strike you when you enter our facility...like "classy", "clean", "excellent customer service", and "state-of-the-art equipment"? For some, location is key. Like the real estate industry folks say ... read more

Investing in a proper maintenance program for your vehicle is beneficial to your wallet. As your local collision and repair, investing in proper maintenance also means more of our community members safe on the road. Lots of accidents are caused by circumstance, but every now and then we get someone in whose accident could’ve been avoided if either party had given their car some proper maintenance. Proper maintenance reduces your costs by fixing little problems before they become big problems. Every single part of your vehicle affects multiple other parts when it’s not working well, either by damaging the other parts or putting more pressure and wear on them. With regular maintenance performed on your automobile, you can expect 10 or more years and 200,000 or more miles from your car.  In fact, once you have paid off your vehicle's loan, you should begin to save money! Below, we dive deeper into all of the benefits of maintenance services. Cut Down On Repair Cost ... read more