Monterey Collision & Auto Repair

Being stranded with your car is undoubtedly a scary experience. Being stuck in your car is particularly scary if you are caught in a blizzard, stuck in a flash flood, riding through a major earthquake, or drive over a cliff. Believe it or not, if you are prepared, the situation can seem a lot less scary and much more manageable.   Robert’s Collision and Repair has compiled a list of survival tips if you and your family are ever stuck in your car:   Don’t abandon your car in a blizzard or storm: If you are far away from a town or city, walking away from your car can be very dangerous. If you are caught in a storm or blizzard, your car is excellent shelter. Do abandon your car if you are caught in a flood or enter a body of water.  Roll down the windows or break the windows to escape, in case the water pressure won’t allow you to open the doors. Use a flag: If you are stranded on the side of the road, tie a flag on your antenna to alert upcoming d ... read more

We have witnessed many of our customer's cars suffer damage from hitting the curb. When the winter roads are slick, you are more likely to, unfortunately, hit the curb. It may seem as if this is a small mistake, but it can, in fact, inflict lasting damage on your vehicle. If you have hit the curb recently, we recommend contacting Robert’s Collision and Repair, so we can have a look at  your vehicle:     Even if you are going as slow as 5-10 mph, the impact from the curb can damage your tires and wheels. When you hit a curb, you are jolting the connection between your steering system and wheels. The damage to this system can inhibit your ability to steer, especially during winter. Hitting a curb can shock your car’s knuckles, spindles, and axles. This can upset your car’s control system and suspensions. The steering knuckle has two parts: the wheel hub and the spindle. When you hit a curb, you can damage this important component of your veh ... read more

How is the health of your vehicle’s alternator?  Do you know what happens to your car, truck, or SUV when the alternator dies? Here are six signs that your alternator may be having challenges:   You need to jumpstart your vehicle on a frequent basis. The lights on your vehicle are dim and not as bright as they should be. The battery light on your dashboard is on. The smell of burning rubber may indicate that a belt is not working properly. You hear odd grinding or whining noises. Your electrical system is not operating properly.   So, what contributes to alternator failure?  The alternator is the generator for your vehicle’s electrical system. Here are four things that could lead to alternator failure.   If your battery is going bad, it could contribute to alternator failure. Dirty battery terminals could cause the alternator to not start. If your cables and connections are worn out, they can cause alternator failure. An alternator belt ... read more

As we prepare for Thanksgiving, don’t forget the essentials…   Full tank of gas?  Check!   Tires properly inflated with the right amount of air?  Check!   Spare tire and battery cables in place?  Check!   Was the oil changed recently?  Check!   Road trip music?  Hmmm….   If you don’t already have a playlist prepared, here are a few suggestions for an epic Thanksgiving road trip:   The Travel Song from Shrek The Musical:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mn4y-13kxQs Wait for Love by St. Lucia:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXMkGOEgb8Q Shelter Song by Temples:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vs4i41cOv0s Silhouettes by Colony House:  https ... read more

Editorial Note:  We can’t help but publish this love letter from your vehicle each year. It’s one of our annual traditions. Happy New Year from the entire Robert’s Auto Repair team!   I, my human's vehicle, do solemnly swear to make the following New Year's Resolutions for 2016.   I resolve to carry my humans and their precious cargo safely wherever they drive me. I resolve to stop as quickly as possible when faced with an emergency situation. I resolve to respond quickly when my gas pedal is pushed, my steering wheel is turned, my brakes are applied, and when my human is running late. I resolve to provide warmth when it's cold, air conditioning when it's hot, and shelter from the rain, wind, sleet, snow, and hail. I resolve to never hydroplane, slide, or lose control of myself on the road. I resolve to use gasoline efficiently, helping my human's money stretch as far as possible. I resolve to avoid all accidents, scratches ... read more

It’s wintertime, so let’s talk about coolant service. Changing the antifreeze fluids in your radiator is especially important. Most of us are aware that antifreeze keeps your engine from freezing and corroding, but did you know that the same fluid can corrode your engine if you leave it in too long? Over a significant period of time, the static charge of the engine makes the fluid acidic and it eats up the aluminum pipes, making your engine vulnerable to major disfunction... and that's not good! Make sure your vehicle is in top operating condition this winter season when you travel around the Monterey Peninsula, across the state, or up to the skiing areas. Call today to schedule a coolant service and replacement at our 26,000 square foot facility, located at 234 Ramona Avenue, Monterey, CA 93940. Mechanical -- 831-373-1534
Body Shop -- 83