Sherman Oaks Auto Repair

If you’ve heard unusual sounds under the hood, it should cross your mind that it could be your serpentine belt. Your serpentine belt is one of the most important parts of your vehicle. It is a long and snake-like belt that goes through various systems with a network of pulleys. For instance, the serpentine belt powers the alternator, a/c compressor, water pump, power steering pump, and more.   With such a vital role in your car, it is important for you to keep an eye out for a worn serpentine belt. Read on to learn more about the red flags of serpentine belt failure.  Physical wear and tear - Physical signs are the most obvious signs that indicate the belt is on its way out. Most of the time, your technician will inspect your belts and hoses at regular service intervals. Signs of cracks and tears indicate that it is time to replace it. Loss of power - When the components that your serpentine runs through break down or malfunction, it is a sign that you should check ... read more

If you've ever been driving and seen the ABS warning light come on, you may have wondered. The ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) is a safety feature that helps prevent your car from skidding when you brake. When the ABS warning light comes on, it's good to act fast. But what does it mean, and what should you do? What Does the ABS Warning Light Mean? Generally speaking, the ABS warning light means a problem with the anti-lock braking system and the wheels' stability. This could be anything from a loose connection to a more severe issue like low brake fluid or a bad sensor. There are other reasons for the vehicle computer to turn on the ABS warning light. For example, if you've just installed a new battery, the light may come on as the computer resets itself. Or, if you're driving in deep snow or mud, the light may come on because the wheels are slipping. In these cases, it's usually nothing to worry about, and the light will go off once the computer has reset its ... read more

Factory recommended services are an important part of keeping your car running like new. By following the factory-recommended service schedule, you can keep your car's warranty valid and avoid expensive repairs down the road. Your car's factory-recommended service schedule is designed to keep your car running at its best. The schedule is based on the number of miles you drive and the type of driving you to do. For example, if you drive mostly in stop-and-go traffic, you'll need to have your car serviced more often than someone who drives mostly on the highway. How Does It Work? The best way to think of factory-recommended service is as a maintenance plan for your car. Just like you have to maintain your home by doing things like changing the air filter and checking the smoke detectors, your car needs regular maintenance to keep it running properly. During factory scheduled maintenance, a trained technician will perform a series of inspections and tests on your car. They ... read more

You park your vehicle, walk into your home, and come back out later to find a stream of liquid running from underneath your vehicle. Leaks happen often with vehicles considering how many fluids our vehicles use to run properly. If you do notice a leak, the first thing you should do is take a closer look. Try to get a good idea of the color and consistency - this will help better pinpoint the source of the leak. If the leak has a color or viscosity similar to an oil, we recommend bringing your vehicle into our shop at your earliest convenience. A fluid leak can be a sign of a crack or break in a line or hose somewhere in your vehicle. This can cause extremely damaging effects on your car and can progress the issue even further if you continue to drive. When you bring your vehicle into our repair shop, be sure to let our staff members know when you saw the leak, where it seems to originate from, and the color and viscosity of the liquid. This will help our mechanics get an idea of wher ... read more

Road trips are a great way to get away with your friends or family. Some people don't mind the car ride, while others dread the boredom of being in a car. Road trips shouldn't have to be that way; you can make the drive just as enjoyable by preparing road trip games. Below are some fun games to try out on your next adventure: One Sentence Story This is a fun story-telling game, where each person in the car has to continue the story with a sentence at a time. Each person will go until they feel as though the story has concluded. I Spy This game is a classic for a reason, and it is great to play with children too. One person chooses a thing in everyone's sight to be "it", and they will have to give a clue surrounding the object (ex. the letter it starts with or the color). The others will have to take turns to guess until someone gets the correct answer. Would You Rather Would You Rather can get pretty funny and interesting. It's a game where you propose t ... read more

You're probably already working on a hefty list of New Year's resolutions, but we guarantee that adding preventative maintenance to that list is something you won't regret! With the hustle and bustle in California, many of us often forget about how important it is to take care of our vehicles until we experience a breakdown or see warning lights flashing on the dashboard. 2022 is the year to prioritize maintaining your car. Benefits of Preventative Car Maintenance We highly encourage you to be proactive this New Year and have your car serviced by a certified technician at Sherman Oaks Exclusive. Preventative maintenance can protect your investment and extend the life of your vehicle. Getting your car serviced at its factory-recommended intervals can help prevent costly repairs from arising. The basic maintenance items that your vehicle manufacturer usually recommends are oil changes, fuel, and air filter changes, fluid refills or flushes, and spark plug replacements. The ... read more

Whether you've got a brand-new or high-quality vehicle on your hands, you want it to stay in good condition for years to come. And a meaningful way to keep your car looking great is by preserving the car's interior surfaces. If your vehicle is clean and well-maintained inside, it will not only be worth more, but it will be more pleasant to drive. Today, we will discuss some tips on how to preserve your vehicle's interior and upholstery.  Clean It Regularly. This tip is the most obvious, but the dirtier your car is, the more it will wear down. Small particles and debris, including crumbs, can cause the materials inside to wear more quickly. So, we advise you to clean and vacuum the inside as much as possible. Ideally, it would be best to do it once every 2-3 weeks.  Shade From UV Rays. Over time, the UV rays can fade the interior of your car. It can even cause plastic and leather to peel and damage in the worst cases. That's why it's essential to shield y ... read more

Most drivers forget to appreciate their windshield wiper blades and underestimate their importance until they are in rain or snow. The truth is most drivers don't replace their windshield wipers on time, including YOU. They are a simple, inexpensive car component, and they are essential in providing you visibility of the road. Over time, your wipers will become ineffective at doing what it does best: clearing your windscreen. What Makes Wipers Dull? Windscreen wipers will naturally become dull over time. They are constantly exposed to a harsh external environment like heat. And since they are exposed to the air, unlike the components under the hood, they need frequent replacements. The blades will wear out by drying out and (sometimes) bending. We highly suggest you get your windshield wipers replaced every six months to a year. Just know that the earlier you notice their incapabilities, the sooner you should get them renewed to avoid getting into a vehicle accident. Depending ... read more

Have you ever been frustrated by your headlights? Do you feel like they are never bright enough for you at night? Headlight restoration could be the key to fixing your problem. A headlight restoration not only enhances the overall appearance of your car but will improve your level of safety. Whether your headlights have become oxidized and cloudy due to regular wear and tear or if you require replacement lights, it would be best to consult with our expert team at Sherman Oaks Exclusive.   Most headlights today are made of polycarbonate instead of glass, making them tougher to penetrate than before. However, this material is prone to discoloration over time, which is why you may need headlight restoration. Many drivers think that once their headlights become faint, they might need them replaced entirely. Headlight replacements can be expensive and, in many cases, is not necessary. Headlight restoration can solve your problems!    Benefits of Headlight Restoration Eli ... read more

When you start to look at your vehicle as an expensive, long-term investment, it will change your perspective on what you want to do with it. With as hefty of a purchase as your car, you have the freedom to customize and do whatever to your vehicle as you please. Nowadays there are so many cool and innovative accessories that you can use to improve your driving experience. Here are our top products that we feel like every driver should have for their vehicle!   Phone Holder Nowadays, most phone mounts require no installation and attach to your phone with solid clasps or magnets, making them very accessible. Most of them are resilient, so you can adjust the angle to see your phone at different angles. It's also nice to have your phone in a place that you know. And your phone can sit on the mount charging as well! This item comes in handy, especially if you're the type of driver that depends on navigational apps.   Console Side Pocket A console side pocket helps t ... read more