Tune Up in Castro Valley, CA at Mallard Auto Care

Welcome to Mallard Auto Care in Castro Valley , a family owned and operated auto repair shop. Tune-up service is among the hundreds of services and repairs we offer.

“Tune up” used to be quite an involved affair, but with the advent of computer controlled fuel injection, and computers controlling more and more auto functions, and sensors feeding information to the computers, modern tune up is a lot less complicated.

Newer, more computerized vehicles, have no need of a traditional tune-up because the vehicle is “self-tuning”. On-board computer monitors engine and emissions in real time. It adjusts the air-gasoline mixture to keep engine performance and emissions within manufacturer recommended parameters. If the computer cannot correct a problem, it will illuminate the check engine light. This alerts the owner to have the vehicle professionally inspected and diagnosed. We would also check belts, hoses, check for leaks, and at proper time intervals replace fuel pump and spark plugs.

For older vehicles, tune-up meant ignition system check, spark plugs replacement, fuel system and emission control system check, and overall engine check. Mechanics truly had to do some “tuning” to get the engine and emission system parameters back within factory guidelines.

At our Castro Valley auto repair shop we can perform both modern and “traditional” tune-up (on older vehicles). Regardless of vehicle age, you can expect friendly service advisors and highly skilled mechanics working on your vehicle, as well as:

  • Nationwide 3 year / 36,000 mile warranty
  • Free Digital Vehicle Inspection – we provide you with electronic copy of the results
  • Nationally ASE certified technicians
  • Military and first responder discounts
  • Original Equipment or better quality parts
  • Written quotes
  • Free local Uber/Lyft service

So if your vehicle is due for a tune up, or exhibits symptoms like stalling, loss of power, or the engine is misfiring, it’s important to bring your vehicle to a professional auto repair shop to get it repaired and tuned-up.

We offer convenient appointments on our website, or simply call the shop and we will set up an appointment for you.

Expert Tune-Ups for All Vehicles in Castro Valley

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Driving without air conditioning on a hot summer day is horrible. There are different reasons your Subaru’s AC might stop working, one of which is when it needs a refill. A simple ac recharge may be all you need to get the AC blowing cool air again. Your Subaru’s air conditioning system uses a highly specialized refrigerant gas to keep the vehicle cool. Depending on the age of your Subaru, it may be R-134a or for newer cars, the R-1234YF refrigerant. At Mallard Auto Care in Castro Valley we have equipment to handle either type of the refrigerant – whatever your Subaru needs, we have it ready. In theory, your Subaru should never run out of the refrigerant, but like any system, the AC system can develop leaks. This can cause the refrigerant to drop very low. When this happens, the system has to be recharged with refrigerant for it to function properly again. How to know your Subaru’s AC needs a recharge Here are common signs that your Subaru’s AC system may need a refill: • Blows warm air When the AC system is low on refrigerant, it blows warm air from the supply vents. Since the cooling effect depends on the amount of refrigerant available, low level of the refrigerant will cause the system to blow warmer air.  • AC compressor clutch doesn’t engage When you switch on your vehicle’s AC, the compressor clutch ought to engage for the system to work properly. If the refrigerant level is too low, the AC compressor clutch may not engage. • Visible leaks Leaks are a reason for low refrigerant levels, but you can tell that your AC needs a refill before it gets critically low by looking out for any sign of liquid around the compressor, lines, or inside the cabin. In this instance, the leak has to be fixed before the AC is refilled. If you suspect low refrigerant levels in your Subaru, it is best to let a professional mechanic inspect the system for leaks, and have them repaired before ac refill. At Mallard Auto Care we are experts at a/c system diagnostics and repairs – so if your Subaru is not keeping you cool, give us a call or make an appointment online.
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With the first rains of the season behind us, you will have surely noticed whether your windshield wipers need replacement. If they do, call Mallard Auto Care in Castro Valley and we will be happy to provide you vehicle with new wiper blades. Windshield wipers used to be an afterthought, but modern vehicles require windshield wipers to be in pristine condition. The reason for this new-found attention to the windshield wipers is the ADAS (advanced driver assistance systems) and self-driving capabilities built into many cars. Many vehicles use cameras that see through the windshield to provide information to the computers that are responsible for ADAS or self-driving capability. If the wiper blades do not properly remove water from the windshield, these capabilities might be compromised, or downright unusable. So check again that the wiper blades properly remove water from the windshield, and if they do not, call our Castro Valley auto repair facility and we will get you a new set of wiper blades that will do the job.