California Smog & Automotive Institute

Keep It Rolling Right

Keeping your tires rotated regularly is one of the simplest yet most important maintenance services you can perform on your vehicle. It is where each tire is moved to a different position: front to ba...

Published on: Oct 11, 2026

The Red Menace (How to Deal with Rust)

Rust. It's worse if you drive in places that use salt on the roads in winter, or if you spend time driving near a body of salt water. But any vehicle has to deal with rust after years on t...

Published on: Oct 04, 2026

Stop! And See Us (Brake Pad Replacement)

If you’ve ever driven a bicycle with hand brakes, you’ll probably understand how the brake pads on your vehicle work. Bicycle brakes use a system that squeezes the bike wheel’s...

Published on: Sep 27, 2026

Smooth Operator

We’re used to bringing a vehicle to a stop and hardly noticing the engine’s even running when we’re sitting still. But sometimes you might notice it running rough when you&rsqu...

Published on: Sep 20, 2026

Wobbly in Turns? Your Sway Bar May Be to Blame

When you take a corner in your vehicle, it’s supposed to feel controlled and stable. But you might notice one day that your vehicle feels like it is unstable, or even like it’s float...

Published on: Sep 13, 2026

Gear Up: Transmission Service at California Smog & Automotive Institute in Riverside

The transmission system in your vehicle allows you to change gears. Lower gears are power gears. They get your vehicle moving and get it up hills. Higher gears get the vehicle up to speed and get it...

Published on: Sep 06, 2026

Them's the Brakes (Brake Rotor Resurfacing)

Your vehicle's brakes wear out. It's inevitable. You'll notice it when you step on the brake pedal and feel it harder to stop, or there's vibration when you are braking. Most modern vehic...

Published on: Aug 30, 2026

Leaking Oil Isn’t Normal: When a Valve Cover Gasket Needs Replacing

Let’s say you discover a little oil leak in your vehicle and you think, “It’s small. It’s no big deal.” Remember that no oil leak is ever normal, and it might...

Published on: Aug 23, 2026