Monterey Collision & Auto Repair

On the way to Grandma’s house for the Thanksgiving holiday, road trips can be long and stressful. To make your road trip go more smoothly, with less squabbling from the passengers and less shouting at the other drivers, here are some survival tips for your holiday drive.   Be prepared. -- Like a good Boy Scout or Girl Scout, be sure to have an emergency kit, extra drinks, snacks, blankets, a spare tire and tire changing tools, and plenty of audio entertainment. If you’re prepared for anything, you and your passengers will be able to relax more.   Breathe through the traffic jams. -- Traffic happens. Chances are high that you and everyone else are leaving town around the same time and driving back home the same time, too. If you’re stuck in traffic, remember to breathe deeply, enjoy the journey, and know that “slow and steady” will get you to your destination more safely than the “let’s-speed-and-get-into-an-accident” approac ... read more

Ever heard of trunk or treating? It is a new way to celebrate Halloween that involves candy, cars, and costumes! What more could you ask for?   Basically, car owners turn their tailgate or trunk into a front porch, complete with a costume and candy. Car owners meet at a central location, and kids can go from car to car amassing tons of candy. It completely eliminates door-to-door doorbell ringing, and is a safe, fun, and festive way to celebrate Halloween.   The fun part is dressing up your car for a trunk or treating event. You can go for a scary look, or even recreate your kids’ favorite Disney Movie. The possibilities are endless. Here are just a few ideas:   Add some teeth and tongue to the trunk of your SUV. Don’t forget about the candy for the end of the tongue. What about bringing your front yard to the back of your pick-up truck? Use lawn ornaments, such as skeletons, tombstones, or cobwebs, to decorate. If you are a fan of Disney, this on ... read more

Did you know that your tires lose pressure daily? In warmer weather, your tires lose even more pressure. With summer and spring approaching, it is important to know what the correct tire pressure actually is for your car. Basically, correct tire pressure depends on the model of your vehicle. These details should be listed somewhere on vehicle: Check the following spots: Door edge Door post Glove box door Fuel door We also recommend checking your vehicle's tire pressure every time you get gas. Don’t forget to check your spare tire. You just never know what might happen. There are also definitely some benefits of properly inflated tires: The tires will last long longer. Your car will drive noticeably safer. Save money at the pump. Robert’s Collision & Repair will be happy to take a look at your tires, and make sure they are properly inflated. If you have questions or concerns about your car, please call us at 831-373-1534, or visit our 26,000 sq. ft. facility at 234 Ra ... read more

Most drivers take their tires for granted until there is a problem, like a flat or worn tread. However, ignoring your tires can become a major safety issue because tires are your vehicle’s only contact to the road. Not only should you pay attention to your tires, but you should also learn the difference between good tires and bad tires, cheap tires and expensive tires, sizes of tires, and the best tires for the conditions you drive in. But first, let’s discuss the importance of buying good tires: Good tires last longer. Good tires may not be the least expensive, but they offer better value. Good tires come with a warranty. Good tires play a big role in your safety, so don’t be “penny-wise and pound foolish”. Some vehicles, like Hondas, have plenty of good tire options, while others, like the Mini Cooper Countryman, requires special sized run-flat tires. If you are unsure what kind of tires to put on your vehicle, the Robert’s Collision & Repair team will be happy to steer you to ... read more

Some people forget to change their tires. Others are better about getting regular tire service. Here are the top five reasons to change your tires: Your tread is less than 1/16 inch or 1.6 millimeters thick. Your tires should always have more than a depth of 1/16 inch tread, ideally at a thickness of 1 inch of tread depth. If your tread wear indicator bars are exposed, your tires need to be replaced. Tread wear indicators are parallel bars that run perpendicular to the direction of the tread. Replace your tires if they have cracked and weathered side walls. Cracked and weathered side walls are bad news, showing that the strength of the tire is breaking down. Bulges and blisters on the tires are really bad news, for they indicate a potential blow out. Blow outs are a cause of some major accidents, so never let your tires get to the point of having bulges and blisters. If your tires have too much vibration, it is yet another sign that something isn’t quite right with your tires. At ... read more

During the winter, it is very, very important that your tires are in tip-top shape. If your tires are showing excess wear and tear, or are bald in certain spots, your safety on the road is greatly compromised. When in doubt, come to Robert’s Auto Repair for a tire inspection. If your tires are in good shape, but not perfectly balanced, we can keep things rolling smoothly with our tire alignment service. If your tires need to be fixed or replaced, we have the capacity to replace your tires quickly, without killing your budget. Even if your tires are in perfect condition and you’d like us to add some air for you, we’ll be happy to do it for you. Your safety is our priority, and that is why we cannot stress enough how much we want your tires to be in great shape when they carry you down the highway. Call today to schedule a tire inspection and replacement at our 26,000 square foot facility, located at 234 Ramona Avenue, Monterey, CA 93940. You will be very glad you did! Mechanical ... read more

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

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