Monterey Collision & Auto Repair

  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

Lucky for us, not too many crazy things happen here on the Monterey Peninsula. However, that doesn’t mean we should blow off preparing for disaster. Monterey County has seen numerous wildfires, evacuations, car accidents, and other disasters. Why not prepare yourself, your family, and your car in case you need to leave your home on short notice? If you take the time to be prepared, the painful sting of unexpected accidents or emergencies can be reduced. Of course, one can never be fully prepared to a life-altering event, but advance preparation can remove some of the chaos that comes with it.  Earlier this month, we shared some helpful advice that can help you and your family prepare. Here’s a recap: Check your tires. Just a couple extra minutes in the morning, make sure your tires aren’t going flat on you. You can even use the penny trick! When your tires are properly inflated, not only will your tires last longer, but you will reduce your chances of a blowo ... read more

  The dread of finding a new check engine light on in your car can be stressful. Luckily for you, the auto repair experts CARSTAR Robert's Collision and Repair in Monterey are experienced in troubleshooting and are here to take your worries away. Check engine lights come on for a variety of reasons. Before you get stressed out, check your gas cap, some sensors monitor for vapor leaks and will throw a code for merely not having your fuel cap adequately secured. Of course, a blinking check engine light could also mean something as serious as engine misfire, which needs to be addressed by a professional right away to avoid permanent damage to your engine.   You want to pay attention to your check engine light; it is connected to your vehicle's emission system, explicitly designed to monitor it throughout the life of your car. Emission systems and engines in your car are directly tied together, which means the health of one can indicate the health of the other, so pay ... read more

What is OEM insurance?   Updated Blog 1/8/23: When it comes to securing the right auto insurance policy, many factors demand your consideration. One crucial aspect often overlooked is the choice between Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and aftermarket parts. In this comprehensive guide, we explore the significance of OEM insurance, shedding light on its benefits, alternatives, and how it can impact your overall auto insurance experience. Understanding OEM Insurance OEM insurance stands as a vital add-on to your standard auto insurance policy. It ensures that, in the unfortunate event of an accident, only OEM parts will be used to restore your vehicle. These parts are specifically crafted by your car's manufacturer, adhering to stringent safety and quality standards. Opting for OEM insurance provides a guarantee that your car will be brought back to its factory specifications, maintaining its original integrity. Requesting OEM Parts After an Accident In the aftermat ... read more

  Every April, the Monterey Peninsula comes alive when the City of Pacific Grove shuts down Lighthouse Avenue for two days to accommodate Good Old Days, a truly locals-friendly community event that incorporates food, arts and crafts, live music, a classic car show and--best of all--a good old-fashioned parade complete with marching bands, fire engines, and kids. Locals flock to this event, as it marks the first big event of the season. People see friends they haven’t run into since the previous fall (at the other bookend to the summer season, the West End Celebration in Sand City) and celebrate the fact that they are privileged to live in such a wonderful place. It’s an event for all ages and all tastes. Kids love the petting zoo, pony and carnival rides and the parade. Teens like hanging out on the midway watching dance demos, munching delicious fair food…and the parade. Adults love the fireman’s Challenge, the Beer and Wine Garden (with its own live mus ... read more

Thankfully, on the central California coast, we enjoy a temperate climate. While we do experience some heavy wind and rain events that cause localized trauma--like the devastating  Big Sur storms of 2017 that led to that area being effectively isolated for months to the rains and resulting mudslides in the Santa Barbara area last month--we don’t get the kind of deep freeze that regularly occurs in the midwest and east coast of the US. But you still need to winterize your vehicles. Wet, slippery roads combined with colder temperatures and shorter daylight hours mean we you keep our cars in tip-top shape. And it’s even more vital if you’re planning a trip to the mountains for some fun in the snow. Here are some tips on how to make sure you don’t get stranded in a storm:   Make sure your vehicle is up to date on the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule, including oil, coolant, brake, transmission, windshield wiper and steering fluids C ... read more

No matter what type of car you own, the significance of preventative maintenance is absolutely essential. The team at Robert’s Collision & Repair feels that all responsible car owners need to be very mindful of preventive maintenance. Our highly skilled auto mechanics are happy to inspect your vehicle to see if any repairs should be done to prevent malfunctions, dangerous situations on the road, and hefty costs down the line.   Safety Preventative maintenance lets drivers have some peace of mind because it’s comforting to know that your automobile is in good working order. For example, if your brakes are inspected regularly, you’ll know that they are operating within safe operating limits. If you wait until something goes wrong, you’re putting yourself, your passengers, and other drivers on the road at risk.   Extend lifespan of car Preventative maintenance is one of the easiest things you can do to prolong the life of your vehicle. When you ... read more

It’s raining, it’s pouring... and before you know it, you’ll need new wiper blades! As little as we think about windshield wipers up until we need them, we virtually never question their origin.   When you think about it, windshield wipers are actually an incredible invention, and critical to driver safety. They were first invented and patented in 1903 by Mary Anderson, who observed an issue with visibility after a trolley ride one year prior. Anderson was born in Alabama, but moved to Fresno, California in 1893. A handful of others had attempted a device like this, but none were successful enough to warrant a patent until Anderson’s. By 1920, her original hand-crank windshield wiper design was a standard for automobile production.   Working in the auto industry as we do at Robert’s Collision and Repair, we have a lot of respect for all the contributors throughout history who have improved the safety and functionality of cars. We carry that m ... read more

Big Sur is a popular travel destination for adventurous road trippers and vacationers alike. For those who’ve never been, Big Sur is simply the coast south of Carmel-By-the-Sea, and north of San Simeon, and sequestered by the Santa Lucia Mountains. The area is best known for hiking, camping, beaches, and all sorts of opportunities for adventure. Tourism in this area is essential for the modest community of families and small businesses who call Big Sur their home. But, even with blue skies and cleared roads, the drive can easily become treacherous for unprepared travelers. In order to facilitate the happy travel of as many consumers, customers, and commuters as possible, we have a few resources we’d like to share to help ensure you have a safe trip! Regardless of where your starting point is, you’ll have to take Highway 1 to get into Big Sur (unless you’re a fan of mountain climbing, of course!). Unfortunately, due to the recent extreme weather conditions, many ... read more

April 2017 Monthly Offer -- $10 Off Service. Offer valid through April 30, 2017. One coupon per visit. Not valid with other specials and offers.   It’s Tax Time, and in an effort to help our customers save money, we are offering a flat $10 off service. Which service? Any service.   It doesn’t matter if it’s an oil change or a major 60,000-mile service. We are willing to knock $10 off any service you need. Yep, that’s how we help you stretch your dollars so you can pay Uncle Sam and remain safe on the road, all at the same time.   This offer is good for the month of April only, so don’t miss out on this grand opportunity to save. To take advantage of this special $10 Off Service, schedule an appointment with our Service Department at 831-373-1534 and mention this offer. We look forward to seeing you soon!  

Halloween is supposed to be scary. From the creepy witches to the spooky ghosts, there are plenty of things out there to get our heart racing. Let’s make sure our driving stays safe, so we can focus on this festive and fun holiday.   Robert’s Collision & Repair wants you and your family to stay safe. Unfortunately, during Halloween, the number of car accidents rise, especially during the hours of 6:00 - 9:00 PM. This could be due to the influx of trick or treaters walking on the streets or even the number of adult partygoers driving to their destination. Either way, here are 5 safety tips for drivers to follow:   Avoid driving in early evening. This is when most of the trick or treaters will be out and about. Before heading out, make sure all lights, including headlights, sidelights, and reverse lights are working. Inform other drivers of what you are doing. If you are picking up or dropping a child off, use hazard lights. Plan ahead and allow ample ... read more

The rainy season is around the corner. This means we need to make sure our wipers are in tip-top shape. It is easy to forget about our windshield wipers, compared to our car’s brakes or transmission. For clear visibility, you must stay vigilant and take care to replace your windshield wipers as needed.   It is important to keep an eye on our windshield wipers. When you notice these signs, we recommend contacting Robert’s Collision & Repair to schedule a windshield wiper replacement:   Streaking left on the glass. Your windshield wiper makes noises when in use. When operating, your windshield wipers slightly bounce.   Sometimes windshield wiper replacement will not solve the problem, so it begs the question: What exactly is wrong with my windshield wipers? There can be a myriad of issues causing your wipers to act up. However, this is a common issue we see our customers struggling with. Their windshield wipers work perfectly fine on the intermi ... read more

Ever wonder how often the wiper blades on your windshield should be changed? Although some wiper blade manufacturers recommend 6 months to one year, the truth is that it all depends on the conditions your car faces.   If you spend the majority of your time on the Monterey Peninsula, where it’s cooler throughout the year and there’s not a lot of rain, your windshield wiper blades could last up to two years. If, however, you use your wiper blades frequently, drive and park in areas with high temperatures, or park your vehicle outside of the protection of a garage, your wiper blades may need to be replaced sooner.   Also, do you have wiper blades attached to the front and to the rear of your vehicle? Many may consider replacing the front windshield wiper blades more frequently than the back since they are used more often. However, the back window wiper blades may get more direct sun and heat, depending on where you park your car on a daily basis. If you have fro ... read more

Make sure your wiper blades can help you see clearly through your windshield. If your vehicle needs new windshield wiper blades, we have a deal for YOU! To show our appreciation to you for being a valued customer, we are offering you a limited time wiper installation promotion. Receive free installation of wiper blades with the purchase of wiper blades while your vehicle is being serviced at Robert's Collision & Repair. The rainy season nearly here… we hope! Make sure your wipers can wipe away everything from morning fog to heavy downpours. To get started, call us at 831-373-1534 to schedule a service appointment for your vehicle. Please mention our windshield wiper special if you are interested in new wiper blades. This offer not valid with any other special offers. Offer expires 11/30/2014. Robert’s Collision & Repair is located at 234 Ramona Avenue, Monterey, CA 93940. We look forward to serving you