Antioch Auto Repair

Here in sunny Antioch, we don’t think much about winter weather. But did you know it’s still important to winterize your vehicle? There are a lot of benefits to bringing your vehicle in to prepare it for the winter months. Here are a few of ours: Tires  Your tires need regular maintenance and inspection, and during the winter rainy months, it may make sense to switch to a different kind of tire. Your auto mechanic at D & K Automotive can help you make the decision that’s best for you. Wiper blades Wiper blades keep your car’s windows clear, but they wear down over time. Ask your D & K auto mechanic to swap them out so that you can be sure to see clearly!   Headlights and tail lights  Headlights and tail lights need to be replaced every 3-4 years, but they begin fading long before they actually burn out. On these dark winter nights, you want to be sure you can see well! Check with your auto mechanic to clean and test your headlights and ... read more

Whew, what a year! At D & K Automotive, we are so THANKFUL to have gotten our shop up and running and to serve so many families in the Antioch community. As we wind down the year, it’s a good time to show gratitude to our customers. Here are a few of the recipes we love to cook up for those family gatherings. Bonus points, because of all of these transport in your car easily!  Candied Yams are such a scrumptious holiday dish. This recipe is a classic that everyone is bound to enjoy, complete with the totally unhealthy but delicious marshmallow topping! Scalloped potatoes  For a new twist on the classic mashed spuds, try this recipe for scalloped potatoes! You can make these in the traditional way as listed, or mix it up by adding extra spices!  Pumpkin Pie What family gathering would be complete without pumpkin pie? This recipe from Bon Appetit is one of our favorites and is sure to please! Rolls Thanksgiving is a time for carbs--and we love these homemade ... read more

Car maintenance costs can be like the camel who asked to share the tent with his owner. As the story goes, the camel asks first to put his nose instead of the tent. On and on the requests go, until the camel has completely taken over the tent, and his rider is stuck out in the cold! If you aren’t prepared, the costs of maintaining your car can add up quickly--and eventually, you’ll need to decide whether it’s cheaper to keep your “camel,” or get a new one! If you are thinking about a new car, one factor to consider is the costs of maintenance. A car costs its driver a lot of money beyond the price of purchase. Long after you’ve got that coveted pink slip, your car is going to be needing financial outlay to stay in top running condition.  So, which cars are the most expensive to maintain? Unsurprisingly, import cars from Germany, especially luxury brands like BMW or Mercedes-Benz, will set you back the most. Between ordering specialty parts and ... read more

It’s September, which means that lots of students are heading to school--including your intrepid young college students! Between the joys of acceptance letters, the crushing defeats of the “thanks, but no thanks” letters, buying new sheets, helping your student negotiate roommate situations, crying at odd moments in Target, and all the other joys that sending your kid off to college brings, have you taken a look at their vehicle? First things are first: Students often drive older cars that might require more maintenance. Even if they have something that you deem trustworthy, do bring your car to a trusted auto mechanic to make sure that all the major systems are in good working order: transmission, suspension, and fresh tires, if necessary. Also, make sure the fluids are topped up: brakes, coolant, transmission, and oil. What about insurance? Don’t assume that your student will be ok with minimal, or no insurance: they need to be fully covered! Check with your ... read more

August is hotter than hot here in Antioch. While we can stay cool indoors by running AC, our cars aren’t so lucky. Starting a car in 100-degree weather can cause problems, so let’s look at some ways to prevent the dreaded overheating! Top off engine coolant. First and foremost, make sure your coolant is topped off. This is a simple step that can save you a lot of heartaches! We recommend keeping a gallon each of water and coolant in the trunk of your car, just in case.  Consider tinted windows. One way to keep the car’s interior cooler is to tint your windows. This can reduce the need for AC, which is notorious for causing overheating on sweltering days when it is difficult for the engine to keep up. On that note…   Turn off the AC and use the fresh air setting. Try to alternate AC with the new air setting. This will not get the car quite as cold as otherwise, but it will give your engine a chance to recuperate and can help you avoid overheating as ... read more

The automotive industry has been on a wild ride since Henry Ford first rolled out his horseless carriages. Here, we discuss a few of the changes that have occurred in the last decade.   Alternative Fuels First, standard gasoline is no longer the only game in town. There are alternative fuel options to fossil fuels, and there is demand for them to become more widely available, though not all alternative fuels are created equal, and each comes with their own set of issues. Ethanol is an alcohol-based fuel that is made from wheat or corn. With both corn and wheat being subsidized by the government, this is a really viable option. Another very popular fuel option is electricity, such as in the Chevy Volt. Methanol, a wood-based alcohol fuel, is one example of an alternative fuel that was around for awhile before automobile manufacturers stopped making cars that used it. Last is biodiesel; made from vegetable fats. Some forms of biodiesel are even made from recycled restaurant oils ... read more

For many motorists, California is synonymous with car shows! What better way to rekindle your love of the open road in a fine motor vehicle than by seeing some of the best ones in the industry? Rub shoulders with glitterati and see some great cars. Read on to find our favorite car shows.   13th Annual Capitola Rod and Classic Car Show Held in Capitola, miles from Santa Cruz from June 9-10, this show features classic rods and cars through 1972. Capitola is laced with charming shops and restaurants, so there’s something to please everyone.   San Francisco International Car Show From November 21-25 at the Moscone Center, glimpse some of the world’s most astounding vehicles and cutting edge technology.   Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance This renowned show has something to suit even the most discriminating of tast ... read more

New Shop, New Tools, Same Great Service!   Is anyone else burnt out on fire talk? We are! D & K Automotive is back in business and ready to serve your auto repair needs! After a full renovation, our auto repair shop is better than ever. Our auto mechanics are thrilled to have a host of new tools, diagnostic equipment and software to serve you! D & K Auto in Antioch, CA is built on a reputation of quality and impeccable customer service.   Summer is coming, and in Antioch, that means it’s HOT, baby! Now is a perfect time to make sure your fluids are topped off. We have a brand-new coolant service machine to check your coolant fluid so your car is ready to keep you cool! We also have a new brake fluid service machine to make sure your brakes are in top condition.   We have brand-new, manufacturer specific diagnostic scan tools for those all important factory quality checks. Whether it’s BMW or Ford, Chevrolet or Mini, D & K Automotive has got ... read more

Hello D&K Customers Friends and Family,   I know this is a day late but that is because we are hard at work putting the shop back together! This past week we are cleaning and preparing for our first day back on April 2nd.   We are actively taking appointments every day and we are filling up fast. So please give us a call and book your appointment.   Don't forget that we have our Grand Opening Celebration this Saturday March 31st from 11am to 3pm. We have lots of prizes to give away and TACOS!! Please check out this link to our Facebook page for more details https://www.facebook.com/events/331002113973580/ ... read more

Hello D&K Customers, Friends and Family,   Things are moving fast here at the shop. Last week we started moving all of our equipment and tool boxes into the shop. We are finally setting up and getting organized. We still have a little work to do, but we are still on track for our opening day April 2nd!   We are actively taking appointments. So please give us a call and we will be glad to put you on our schedule.    Don't forget that we have our grand opening celebration on March 31st. Please check out this link to our Facebook page for details https://www.facebook.com/events/331002113973580/ ... read more