Question: What is synthetic oil and should I use it? Mira Mesa Automotive Answer: Regular oil, also called conventional oil, comes from dead dinosaurs. Conventional oil molecules are long hydrocarbon chains of various lengths. Imagine a bunch of pencils – some used and some brand new. Synthetic oil is often more highly refined petroleum-based… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Auto Service
Simple Answers from Mira Mesa Automotive in San Diego: Service Maintenance Schedule
What is a severe service maintenance schedule? Mira Mesa Automotive Answer: When I was a kid in San Diego, Sunday meant having a bath, getting dressed for church and then hanging up my Sunday clothes soon as we got home. Mom didn’t have to wash those clothes but once a month or so. Now,… Read more »
Oxygen Sensor
Many people hear the term “Oxygen Sensor” and figure it must have something to do with sensing oxygen, but don’t really know much beyond that. Let’s break it down: your vehicle has an oxygen sensor in the exhaust manifold that measures how much unburned oxygen there is in the exhaust. The sensor reports its… Read more »
What Mira Mesa Automotive Repair Customers Should Know
There are some things Mira Mesa Automotive customers should know about automotive service and repair. First and foremost, Mira Mesa Automotive cares about you and your family’s safety. And they really appreciate your business. Mira Mesa Automotive wants to build a trusting relationship that becomes the foundation for a mutually beneficial experience for years to come…. Read more »
Importance of Cooling System Service San Diego
Question: My engine never overheats. Why should I get a cooling system service in San Diego? Mira Mesa Automotive Answer: That’s a really good question for San Diego car owners to ask, because if you don’t have the full answer you may end up in trouble. It would seem that if your engine is running… Read more »
Auto Care and Car Repair: Forced Induction | Turbochargers and Superchargers
Most San Diego drivers associate turbochargers and superchargers with hot rods and racing. However, the number of everyday cars and trucks coming to San Diego from the factory with chargers is growing every year. You need three elements for combustion: fuel, oxygen, and ignition (spark plug in gasoline engines and compression in diesels). Superchargers and turbochargers deal… Read more »
Serpentine Belt
Your serpentine belt drives your alternator and air conditioning compressor. The power steering and power brake pumps are driven by the serpentine belt in many San Diego vehicles. In some autos, the water pump is driven by the serpentine belt (in others it’s driven by the timing belt). The radiator cooling fan on some vehicles are also… Read more »
Head Gasket San Diego | Engine Overheating
Mira Mesa Automotive Tech Question: My name is Landon. I bought a new minivan and it started smoking out the tail pipe. My San Diego service center said my head gasket went out. What can I do to prevent this from happening again? Mira Mesa Automotive Answer: The head gasket fits between the top of the engine… Read more »
Auto Service Center – Mira Mesa’s Menu
Auto service centers have a menu board that lists the services they provide. Some auto owners may not be familiar with all of the items on the board so here is a quick description of some of the typical services that might be listed. Mira Mesa Automotive fuel system cleaning: Over time, the auto fuel… Read more »
Oil Change | Car Maintenance | Regular Auto Service
A lot of people in CA have older vehicles. They’re good commuters, grocery-getters or toy-haulers. They enjoy that fact that they’re paid off, or soon will be. They would gladly like to keep their vehicles for 200,000 miles or more – as long as it’s economical to do so. There are plenty of people in… Read more »