Auto Sales

SAN RAMON — With the improved quality of modern synthetic oil products, many high-end auto manufacturers have extended their recommended oil change intervals. In some cases, manufacturers endorse driving for as many as 12,000 to 15,000 miles between services. This may be a good idea in theory, but in practice, it can lead to adverse consequences.

Over time, airborne contaminants cause engine oil to become dirty, regardless of whether it’s a synthetic or conventional product. So, if you keep the same oil in your car for 12,000 to 15,000 miles, you’ll allow that dirt to continue cycling through the engine, which will inevitably cause excessive wear and tear. To avoid this, skip the manufacturer’s recommendation and plan to have your oil changed every 5,000 miles. Read more

SAN RAMON — Host, Sarah Rutan: While many car manufacturers are recommending longer oil change intervals, this may not be such a good idea in practice. Today we’re in San Ramon with Diamond Certified Expert Contributor Greg Meier of Diablo Motors to learn why.

Diamond Certified Expert Contributor, Greg Meier: Many of today’s highline car manufacturers recommend a longer oil change interval, from twelve to fifteen thousand miles between oil changes. And, as a shop owner, we recommend a much shorter oil change interval because of the wear and tear that longer intervals cause on the engine, on the metal parts.

When you have a hundred percent synthetic oil, Read more

SAN RAFAEL — An electric car offers several advantages, from eliminating fossil fuel usage to reducing maintenance needs. However, if you’re thinking about purchasing an electric vehicle, one factor you’ll need to consider is how you’re going to charge it.

Since residential power capacity varies from home to home, you’ll need to make sure yours is capable of handling the output required to charge an electric vehicle. Have an electrical professional come out and perform a load calculation, which will determine how much energy output your home can handle. In some cases, you’ll have to upgrade your electrical panel or utility electrical system to accommodate the power load needed to charge your vehicle. Read more

SAN RAFAEL — Host, Sarah Rutan: If you’re thinking about buying an electric car, you’ll want to consider a few different factors, including how you’re going to charge it. Today we’re in San Rafael with Diamond Certified Expert Contributor Jerry Thompson of Integrity Electric to learn more.

Diamond Certified Expert Contributor Jerry Thompson: If you’re considering buying an electric car, you have to consider charging it. Everyone’s home has a certain amount of power. Some homes have more than others. You will have to take this into consideration when buying your car. Your demand, the amount of driving that you do, the amount of distance that the car can travel, Read more

SUISUN CITY — Host, Sarah Rutan: Following the sale of your used vehicle, the last thing you’ll want to receive is a bill for a parking ticket or a towing fee. Today, we’re in Suisun City with Diamond Certified Expert Contributor Steve Ramirez to learn about the release of liability forms and why they matter to you.

Diamond Certified Expert Contributor, Steve Ramirez: I wanted to let the viewers know how important it is to properly fill out a DMV release of liability when you sell your automobile. We have people come here all the time that have sold vehicles, they have been towed in, impounded, and they have no proof that they sold the vehicle. Read more

SUISUN CITY — While a bill of sale and transfer of title are both crucial documents for selling a used vehicle, one that sometimes gets overlooked is the Release of Liability form. However, by neglecting to submit this document, you may end up getting an unexpected parking ticket or tow bill in the mail.

A Release of Liability form is exactly what it sounds like: by submitting it when you sell your vehicle, you’re informing the DMV of the sale and formally divesting yourself of any liability. By failing to submit this form, you put yourself at risk—since your name is still attached to the vehicle, if its subsequent owner gets a parking ticket, Read more