Monterey Collision & Auto Repair

Have you seen how gorgeous it is outside today? It’s hard not to want to soak up the sun all day. Our Indian Summers on the Monterey Peninsula are simply gorgeous, and for those of us who love our cars, the temptation to roll down the windows, open up the sunroof, or take the convertible top down is very high! On beautiful days like these, have fun breathing in the fresh air and feeling the wind in your hair. When you’re done with your beautiful drive by our gorgeous coastline, come see us at Robert’s Auto Repair for an oil change, a free safety inspection, or a detailing package that will make your car look extra clean and shiny! Enjoy your day

Many people believe that if their vehicle is in an accident, but the child car seat is undamaged, they are still good. However, that is not the case. According to the NHTSA, child safety seats must be replaced following a moderate or severe crash in order to ensure a continued high level of crash protection for child passengers. However, for any child car seat that has endured a minor crash, they may be replaced later if the minor crash did not damage the child safety seat, airbags were not deployed, and there were no injuries to the occupants within the vehicle. Many people want to re-use child safety seats after an accident to save some money, but this could put you at risk for being “penny wise and pound foolish”. Most insurance companies will reimburse for carseats involved in a crash, and they are required by law to do so in some states. If you have any questions about your particular child safety seat(s), contact the child seat manufacturer for further details

Now that we’re in September, when leaves start to turn and birds migrate, expect to see more debris on your vehicle: falling leaves, tree sap, and bird poop. Falling leaves are pretty easy to clear off, but sometimes they get stuck in the crevices around the engine compartment and air vents for your A/C system. Tree sap can happen any time, especially if you park your vehicle outside. Sometimes tree sap can mar the car paint. Bird poop is pretty harmless, but it’s a mess. If you’ve ever been unlucky enough to be at the McDonald’s by the corner of Del Monte and 218 while a seagull drops his load on you as you are getting into your convertible, you’ll know how hard it is to get bird poop off of your car seats, shirt, pants, and hair. (Trust us when we say it isn’t pretty.) If these hazards happen to you this September, have no fear....for Robert’s detailing department is here! For full details about our detailing services, click here

Now that school’s back in session and Indian Summer is here, we’ve all seen our fair share of increased traffic. We all know how important traffic safety is, but here are a few reminders that will keep you and your vehicle safe and sound: Tip #1: Don’t drive distracted. About 80% of all auto related deaths and injuries are caused by distracted drivers every year. For all of you who are putting on makeup while driving, texting while driving, fiddling around with your mapping system while driving, or eating drive-thru meals while driving, your ability to focus on your primary task of driving is greatly diminished. Do all of this before or after you begin driving. Tip #2: Talk on a hands-free cell phone system. Many new cars, like the Mini Cooper Countryman, have hands-free cell phone system, and this keeps both hands free to command the vehicle. Too many times, we see people driving and talking on their cell phones with one hand holding it flat, nestled in the crook of their neck, o ... read more

As you know, the Monterey Peninsula is famous for Summertime auto shows and events. Here are 3 of the top events coming up: Red Bull Gran Prix, July 27 - 29, 2012 http://www.seemonterey.com/events/sporting/grand-prix/ Concours d’ Elegance, August 13 - 19, 2012
http://www.seemonterey.com/events/sporting/concours/ Cherry’s Jubilee, September 12 - 16, 2012
http://www.seemonterey.com/events/community/cherrys-jubilee/ You don’t want to miss these events. Book your tickets asap! We’ll be there, too, so we’ll seeing you out in the crowd

Today’s blog is brought to you with the help of the Federal Trade Commission. Click on this link and discover various tips to save money at the gas pump. http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/energysavings/savegas/flash.html If you would like to bring your vehicle in to Robert’s Auto Repair for service, repair, an oil change, an engine tune-up, wheel alignment, new tires, or auto body repair, call 831-373-1534 for an appointment, or stop by Robert’s Auto Repair at 234 Ramona Avenue, Monterey, CA

Get the fun, game-like computer program that’s proven to enhance driver safety. Brought to you by PositScience and the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, This brain fitness software will reduce your crash risk by up to 50%! http://drivesharp.positscience.com/?CJAID=10685832&CJPID=3529639 It’s an easy exam and fun, too! Try the trial and see how well you do. In the meantime, if you have a fender bender or need to bring your car in for service, come to Robert’s Auto Repair at 234 Ramona Avenue in Monterey. We’ll be happy to maintain or repair all of the important safety features on your vehicle so you can safely avoid crash risks. Call 831-373-1534 today to schedule your appointment

Have you or someone in your family had a few too many traffic accidents? If so, consider improving your driving skills by enrolling in a driver improvement course. There are several driver improvement courses available in Monterey County. AAA Online Mature Driver CourseGo To Traffic SchoolElischer’s Driving SchoolMotorcycle Safety CoursesGraniterock Truck Driver TrainingSkip Ba ... read more

Here are some interesting facts about mature drivers that will be affecting many of us who live on the Monterey Peninsula: By 2020, there will be more than 40 million licensed drivers ages 65 and older. The 65 and over age group ranks second in traffic fatalities. 40 percent of motorists over the age of 65 suffered from at least one of nine driving related difficulties commonly caused by aging. Nearly one in five motorists over 65 plan to buy or lease a new vehicle in the next two years. Because many of the changes our bodies experience as we age can affect our ability to safely operate a vehicle, mature drivers are looking for vehicles with features that address their specific needs and health issues. AAA Insurance put together a “Smart” vehicle report that recommends specific vehicles to meet the needs of mature drivers. Some AAA “Smart” recommendations include: Drivers suffering from hip or leg pain, decreased leg strength or limited knee range of motion should look for veh ... read more

AAA Association has some great tips on how to have “the talk” with our elders about driving and their safety. Remember the day your parents sat you down to have "The Talk?" Your pre-teen palms sweated while you waited awkwardly to hear what they had to say. Now, many years later, it's your turn-and you dread sitting your elderly mother or father down for a different version of "The Talk," to discuss the possibility that it may be time to give up the keys. Here on the Monterey Peninsula, we are fortunate to have many senior citizens that add a legacy of experience, history, and good fortune to our community. However, many of these same senior citizens get into accidents when they run stop signs, open their car doors into oncoming Lighthouse Avenue traffic, clip another vehicle in a parking lot, or accidentally drive through a store’s plate glass window. Avoid these accidents by having “the talk”. Talk Before Driving Becomes a Problem Driving safety for older adults is an emotionally ch ... read more

Texting while driving has become a growing problem. Thanks to Adolfo Nascimento of the Concord Patch, and AAA Association, here are some things to consider before you text while operating a moving vehicle. Distracted Driving in California While California leads the nation in seatbelt compliance, deaths of 16-year-old drivers statewide increased 16 percent in the first half of last year compared to 2010, said Kelly Browning, executive director of the nonprofit group Impact Teen Drivers. Distractions that typically take drivers' focus off of the road - from phone calls and text messages to sipping lattes - are especially perilous for teenage drivers, she said at a news conference at Clayton Valley Friday morning. "Every single driver at some point has been distracted by a call, a text, a passenger, a pet inside the vehicle, or just adjusting the radio," California Highway Patrol Capt. Jonni Fenner said. "These activities become hazardous when done behind the wheel of an automobil ... read more

Have you heard of our Customer Rewards program at Robert’s Auto Repair? Our rewards program is designed to save you money on future invoices, every time you come to Robert’s Auto Repair for service. If you are not already familiar with our Customer Rewards program, here’s how it works: rewards card

Robert’s Auto Repair is proud to offer electrical system repair and maintenance on all vehicles, including electric vehicles. With the help of the Department of Motor Vehicles, here are a few things you should know about repairing your vehicle’s electrical system: Ignition -- http://www.dmv.org/how-to-guides/ignition.php Alternator -- http://www.dmv.org/how-to-guides/alternator.php Batteries -- http://www.dmv.org/how-to-guides/batteries.php Granted, most of you who come to Robert’s Auto Repair are not the DIY auto mechanics. However, if you wish to tackle these repair projects yourself, the information provided above can be quite helpful. Whether or not you decide to try and fix your vehicle’s electrical system yourself, or bring it into Robert’s Auto ... read more

In tough economic times it makes sense to maximize every dollar. In terms of car buying, that suggests buying a clean used car instead of springing for a shiny new one. But is buying a used car always cheaper than buying a new vehicle? In most typical economic climates, the answer is a resounding "yes." However, the current economic climate is anything but typical. In fact, the deals on some new cars are so generous they actually make a new car less expensive than both a one-year-old used and certified pre-owned version of the same model. To illustrate this point, Edmunds.com compared the vehicles' True Market Value® transaction prices and the interest payments typically made for each vehicle. Because used/certified pre-owned cars are generally financed at a higher rate than new cars, a shopper can actually save money by purchasing a new vehicle instead of a used version in some cases. When considering financing, maintenance, taxes and other costs, buying a used vehicle may not always ... read more

When was the last time you read your vehicle’s Owners Manual? If it’s been a while, and you’re not sure what that light on the dash board means, or what that beeping noise is, chances are your Owners Manual will explain it all. Your Owners Manual will tell you everything from the curb weight of your car to the type of gas and oil you should use. It includes information about replacing the tires, decoding the dashboard lights, and even changing your headlight bulbs. Needless to say, your Owners Manual is a handy reference book tailored to your specific make, model, and year of car. But, what if you purchased a used vehicle and you cannot locate the Owners Manual? There are several ideas that will allow you to get to know your vehicle thru and thru: 1. Look up your vehicle’s Owners Manual online.
If you don’t have the original Owners Manual, you can check to see if it’s available online. Most automakers have electronic versions of at least some model year's manuals available for fre
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If you’ve not seen these before, they bear repeating. Check out our FAQs and if you don’t see the answer to your question, feel free to call us directly at 831-373-1534. We’re here to help! Q. How often should I rotate my tires?
Your tires should be rotated every other oil change, or every 6000 miles. Neglecting to rotate tires is a major cause of premature tire wear. Q. Is it really necessary to replace my timing belt at the recommended interval?
YES. The failure of a timing belt in many cars can result in major engine damage. The cost of repairing an engine with a broken timing belt is much greater than the cost of a timing belt replacement. Q. What does it mean if my "check engine" or "service engine soon" light comes on?
There are many sensors and computerized components that manage your vehicle's engine performance and emissions. When one of these fails, the "check engine" light is illuminated. Although your car may seem to run fine, it is important to have the issue


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The construction from our $2 Million renovation is complete, but we’re always doing something new to improve our processes here at Robert’s Auto Repair. Today, we’d like to feature our Paint Shop. Our Paint Shop is made up of certified paint shop employees who take pride in their work. We use Waterborne paint, which is friendly to our planet and your vehicle, and it has an additional benefit of drying very quickly. Waterborne paint also creates a safer working environment for our employees and reduces hazardous waste. Robert’s Auto Repair was the first Green shop in the Monterey Peninsula using waterborne paint, and we are very proud of our Green certification from the Monterey Bay Area Green Business Program. To expand our capacity within our Paint Shop, we have added a second paint booth. We are the only Monterey Peninsula auto body shop that has dual spray booths. This renovation is not easily seen from the front of our facility, but the results are evident when you get your vehicle ... read more

Robert’s Auto Repair is proud to announce our new status as a Direct Repair Provider with USAA Auto Insurance. Designed to cover the needs of our students, staff, and faculty at Naval Post Graduate School, The Presidio of Monterey, Fort Ord and other local military facilities, Robert’s Auto Repair is a new provider for your auto body repair needs. Robert’s Auto Repair is an award-winning, highly respected, 26,000 sq. ft. auto body repair, mechanical repair, tire and alignment service, detailing and paint facility, located at 234 Ramona Avenue in Monterey, California. We are proud to serve the military and civilian communities within the Monterey Peninsula. If you are a USAA member and need any assistance with auto body repair, automotive mechanical repair, tire and alignment service, detailing or paint service, come to Robert’s Auto Repair, your premier auto repair center. Schedule an appointment online or call us at 831-373-1534 for Mechanical Repair or ... read more

After months of construction, Robert’s Auto Repair has a new look...and it’s beautiful! Check out this slideshow of our remodeled front entrance and new sign. Not only is our facility more beautiful, it is the premier auto repair center on the Monterey Peninsula. Contact us for an appointment to take advantage of the following services offered in house: Auto Detailing Tire Center Wheel Alignment Paintless Dent Repair Factory Quality Paint and Body Work (with a lifetime warranty) Air Conditioning Suspension Brake Repair Air Bag Installation Mechanical Repair (with a 2 year warranty) Robert’s Auto Repair is the first and only Green shop in the area using waterborne paint, a state of the art paint that protects the earth and employee health. Our staff is made up of certified mechanical technicians and certified body and paint technicians who back up their work with a written warranty. Trust and a job well done is what has made Robert’s Auto Repair voted as the Best Auto Serv ... read more

We, here at Robert's Auto Repair, love our customers and we are loyal to them. How do we love thee? Let us count the ways... We love it when you visit us! We love it when you trust us to take loving care of and maintain your beloved vehicles. AND, we love rewarding you with great service each time you visit our premier auto body and repair facility! But here's what we REALLY love...showing you reciprocated loyalty by offering our new Customer Rewards Program. Webster defines loyal as; unswerving in allegiance: as a:-faithful in allegiance to one's lawful sovereign or government b:-faithful to a private person to whom fidelity is due c:-faithful to a cause, ideal, custom, institution, or product and loyalty as; the quality or state or an instance of being loyal… So how does this apply to Robert's Auto Repair? We are very pleased to offer earned discounts for our loyal customers. Here's how the Rewards Card works: Robert's Auto Repair will be giving each customer a Rewards Card wh ... read more

Subaru is the automotive manufacturing division of Japanese conglomerate Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI). FHI is currently in a partial partnership with Toyota, which owns 16.5% of FHI. The Subaru logo is based on the star constellation of Pleiades, and also alludes to the five companies that merged to create FHI. The popular Subaru models include the Impreza, Outback, Forester, Legacy and Tribeca. Subaru is a brand that Robert's Auto Repair's mechanics will expertly work on, no matter if it's a new or older model. Robert's Auto Repair is a Subaru maintenance and repair destination. Look, we talk an awful lot about how we are like a Car Spa, but we don't just service luxury vehicles. In fact, we maintain Subarus all the time here at Robert's Auto Repair. Let's take the Car Spa concept a little further. EVERY vehicle deserves the royal treatment if you're going to rely on it to safely and dependably drive you around town. Doesn't your Subaru deserve the same exemplary care oft ... read more

When it was founded in 1914, Datsun was named after the surnames of its 3 founders--Den, Aoyoma, and Takeuchi. Over the years, the brand took several names and eventually became "Datsun" to phonetically sound like the "Son of DAT". The spelling of "Datson" was rejected in Japan because "son" means "loss" in Japanese, thus "Datsun" was born. The Nissan brand started being used in the 1930s, however, when the Nissan Motor Company was founded in 1934, it continued to market its vehicles under the Datsun brand name until 1999. The Nissan Maxima line is their best known automobile, but Nissan also has vehicles in the coupe, sports car, minivan, truck, crossover, SUV, and hybrid markets. Robert's Auto Repair is a Nissan maintenance and repair destination. Sometimes a vintage Datsun model will come in for service, but more frequently, our customers will bring us their Nissan Maximas, Nissan Sentras, Nissan Altimas, and Nissan Muranos, just to name a few ... read more

During the oil crisis of 1973 here in the United States, many consumers pushed for a more fuel-efficient choice of automobile. Toyota entered their gas-sipping vehicles en masse into the American market shortly thereafter. As Toyota's popularity grew, they developed the Lexus, Tundra, Camry, Solara, Avalon and Scion brands. Now, Toyota is a brand that dominates sales in the world-wide automobile market. Robert's Auto Repair is a Toyota maintenance and repair destination. Doesn't your Toyota deserve the same exemplary care often provided to luxury models? Robert's Auto Repair is the premier auto repair center on the Monterey Peninsula that offers full service for your vehicle. We love working on Toyota Camrys, Toyota Priuses, Toyota Solaras, Toyota Avalons, all the Lexus models, all the Scion brands, and the Toyota Tundras, just to name a few. Treat yourself and your Toyota today by taking it in for maintenance at R ... read more

Honda is one of the most popular car brands in the United States. Look anywhere on the road and chances are good that you'll be driving alongside, near, or behind a Honda. Hondas are great cars and they run for a very long time if maintained properly. Robert's Auto Repair is a Honda maintenance and repair destination. Look, we talk an awful lot about how we are like a Car Spa, but we don't just service luxury vehicles. In fact, we maintain Hondas all the time here at Robert's Auto Repair. Let's take the Car Spa concept a little further. EVERY vehicle deserves the royal treatment if you're going to rely on it to safely and dependably drive you around town. Doesn't your reliable, fuel-efficient, and lovable Honda deserve the best care? We love to service Honda Accords, Honda Civics, Honda Odysseys, Honda Hybrids, and Honda Pilots, just to name a few of the many makes of this popular auto manufacturer. Robert's Auto Repair is the premier auto repair center on the Mon ... read more

When your vehicle goes through an accident that warrants it, you may get a new child's car seat. When we cart around precious cargo--like our children--we don't want to risk jeopardizing their safety. So, if a vehicle has been in a rough accident, your insurance company may very well authorize the replacement of your old child's car seat with a new one. Now, that's a smart way to preserve precious cargo. If your vehicle needs auto body repair of any kind, contact Robert's Auto Repair at 831-373-1535 and mention this blog when you schedule an appointment. If you do, we will give you a gift card to thank you for your business...but you MUST mention this blog

Robert's Auto Repair works with many auto insurance companies and we're very proud of it! Here is a list of those companies who currently have us on their preferred vendor lists: AAA Bristol West Farmer's Geico Metlife Permit General Progressive Unitrin If you do not see your insurance company listed above, no worries! Robert's Auto Repair has the ability to work with all auto insurance companies. If your vehicle needs auto body repair of any kind, contact Robert's Auto Repair at 831-373-1535 and mention this blog when you schedule an appointment. If you do, we will give you a gift card to thank you for your business...but you MUST mention this blog

Those of us that live in Monterey County know how lucky we are to be so close to the legendary Laguna Seca Raceway. Made famous as the site of the Red Bull MotoGP and the challenging "corkscrew" portion of its raceway, Laguna Seca is a world-renowned Mecca for racing fans. We, at Robert's Auto Repair, are big fans of anything automotive, and we love attending the local events at Laguna Seca. There are plenty of automotive events to keep you occupied all summer long at Laguna Seca. Here is a quick look at their calendar highlights: Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix races from July 23 - July 25 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion from August 12 - August 15 Cherry's Jubilee from September 9 - September 12 If you're not a professional racer, but are proud of your vehicle, Robert's Auto Repair would be equally proud to serve as your "Pit Crew". Our full service aut ... read more

Here's an interesting statistic about summer: it is the season with the highest number of accidents and emergency room visits. Why is this? Well, a lot of it has to do with the fact that more people are outside playing, driving around more, and getting into various levels of trouble. Warmth and sunshine can do that to you. Why else do you think Independence Day and Bastille Day happened in the hot month of July? Anyway, as you can imagine, more auto accidents happen in summer, too. That's why Robert's Auto Repair is proud of its role as your car's "first responder". If you are in an accident on the Monterey Peninsula, chances are very good that our neighbors, Monterey Garage and Towing, will be the ones to tow your car to safety. Insurance adjusters are often found on-site at Robert's Auto Repair, and we even have an on-site Enterprise Rental Car office. Think of us as your car's "emergency room". So, if accidents are going to happen, doesn't it feel better to know that Robert's ... read more

We love writing our blog, but sometimes there's nothing better than seeing a video or two to get the point across. Grab the popcorn and get ready to watch our series of videos about our Robert's Auto Repair customer service, repair & process, products & services, detail center, and tire service center. Video Gallery After you've been convinced that we're the place you want to be, give us a call at 831-373-1534 to schedule an appointment for your car's "spa treatment

When you have questions, you don't always have answers. That's when you either look them up or turn to your friends for advice...especially with topics like insurance, health tips, and car repair. There are a lot of people, especially now, who want to know the price of something before they go and spend their money. There are others who want to know how long something will take, or what the process is. Either way you cut it, knowledge is power. One of the things Robert's Auto Repair prides itself on is the eduction of our our clients on the auto body or maintenance process. We teach our clients what it is we're doing, why, and how it benefits their automobile. Traditionally, men have known more about auto repair than women have, but that's been rapidly changing over the years. Now, we are finding that men and women of all walks of life crave more knowledge about their car's needs, service, value, and longevity. We want our clients to feel comfortable knowing how to best nurture t ... read more

You know how you feel when you walk through someone's door and you feel warm and welcome?  It's a nice feeling, isn't it? That's how we try to make you feel when you walk through the front door of Robert's Auto Repair. Our 26,000 square foot facility is truly the Premier Auto Repair Center.  We love to think of Robert's Auto Repair as your car's "Spa", and we wanted to make you and your car feel welcome and stay awhile. Our lobby is bright, sunny, and welcoming with our granite-top front desk, glass mosaic mirrors, and soothing earth tones.  While you sit in our comfortable lobby, you can watch our staff and mechanics at work. If you prefer not to hang out with us, you are free to go, of course.  Our courtesy shuttle will take you to your home, work, or wherever--then pick you up--while your car gets pampered.  Or, if you prefer to have someone pick you up, we'll give you a call or send a text message when your car ... read more

I love it when I wake up in the morning, pain-free, feeling good, and ready for my day. On days like that, I feel unstoppable. Like everything's going my way. I feel like a smooth-running machine, like a racehorse, or like a marathon runner...moving like a finely-tuned, precision instrument. Sometimes, however, I feel crappy when I wake up. My neck aches because I slept on it wrong. I'm dragging out of bed. I don't feel motivated, excited, or joyful about the start of my day. That's when I'm not feeling precise about anything! So, how do you think your auto feels at the start of it's day? Has it been maintained lately and given a new oil change? Are the tires looking good and properly inflated? Is the body looking smooth, shiny, and new? Is the engine purring? Are all the lights working? Without maintenance, precision flies out the window. Without precision, we feel and operate out of balance. When we're out of balance, we overcompensate and our parts start wearing down ... read more

All the health experts agree...make sure you drink 8 glasses of water each day to stay healthy. When you have enough fluids in your body, toxins get flushed out, your wrinkles diminish, and you feel better. Well, the same can be said about your car. Obviously, your vehicle doesn't drink 8 glasses of water each day, but think about all the fluids your car requires to run "healthy". There's gasoline to make it go, there's water to cool it down, there's oil to keep it lubricated, and so on. Periodically, these fluids need to be flushed and replace in order to get rid of the "gunk". Changing the fluids in your radiator is especially important. Most of us are aware that radiator coolant keeps your engine from overheating and corroding, but did you know that the same fluid can corrode your engine if you leave it in too long? Over a significant period of time, the static charge of the engine makes the fluid acidic and it eats up the aluminum pipes, making your engine vulnerable to major ... read more

Keywords are a hot commodity in online marketing. If you are an auto body shop, such as Robert's Auto Repair, and want to be known for all the things you do, there are a lot of key words to include in your description. These keywords can be broken down into types of service, location, technical terms, and so on. This blog has been created to place a few key words into your memory, in an informative--if not entertaining--way. First, let's look at the key words that describe Robert's Auto Repair services. Obviously, there is "auto repair", "auto body", "car repair", and "auto body shop". Additionally, other key words that describe us are "detailing center", "tire service center", "green certified", "on-site Enterprise car rental" and "insurance approved". But what about the key words that strike you when you enter our facility...like "classy", "clean", "excellent customer service", and "state-of-the-art equipment"? For some, location is key. Like the real estate industry folks say ... read more