Mechanic testing a car's battery

Chances are you don’t pay much attention to your vehicle’s battery until it dies, when you get to perform the dreary dual task of waiting for a jump while simultaneously calling for an appointment to get a new battery fitted. Of course, that’s if you’re sure it’s the battery that’s dead in the first place. The only way to be certain is to take it in to be tested. However, it generally helps to know the health of your vehicle battery prior to finding yourself stranded.

vehicle on the road

Judging by the number of near-rear-endings we witness on our morning commutes, the typical attitude toward brake maintenance appears to be, “Brakes: Don’t let them stop you!” This puzzles us because monitoring your braking system’s health is one of the most straightforward aspects of car ownership. You do have to know what to look for, though, or rather, what to listen and feel for. So let us, uh, break it down for you. Here are the top three signs that your brakes need fixing.

Without a working battery, your car will not be able to start. If you perform proper maintenance, however, an average car battery can start your car reliably for roughly four years. Your vehicle's radio and headlights, plus a slew of other important functions, are powered by an electrical current generated by your vehicle’s engine but a vital part of generating electricity is having a place to store it while it’s not being used, which is where a car battery comes into play. The battery holds electrical energy while a car is off in order to help the engine turn over and create a spark to start internal combustion.  What you don't want is to have a bad battery!!

maximum speed 55 sign

At Oliver Automotive in Novato, the history of cars is a huge topic of interest to us. Here’s an interesting piece of automotive trivia, from us to you.

hand holding car remote start

While some keys or key fobs can only be obtained from dealerships, most cars can be programmed to accept a new key or key fob without expensive dealer intervention. At Oliver Automotive in Novato, we often provide such services, at a fraction of the cost.

ASE Certified Technicians

At Oliver Automotive in Novato, CA, precision and quality are our top priorities. That’s why we always employ ASE certified technicians - but what does that mean for you?

childs hand holding an adult hand

Part of maintaining your vehicle is keeping its safety devices in good working order, especially when there are kids in the car. Seat belts, window locks, and airbag sensors work together to keep children safe in an automobile. Though safety components are generally very reliable, they do occasionally fail. Oliver Automotive in Novato is here when they do; here are some things to watch out for.

red truck driving

Are you driving around with a loud scraping sound coming from beneath your vehicle? Chances are, a piece of your splash shielding has come loose under your car. At Oliver Automotive in Novato, we can have that annoying sound taken care of in no time.

  • Jasper
  • 24-Hour Dropoff
  • Acdelco
  • Air Lift Tow and Haul
  • ASE
  • BG Products
  • Bosch Automotive
  • Handicap Accessible
  • MACS
  • Motorcraft Parts
  • NAPA AutoCare Center
  • Pet Friendly
  • Radiator
  • Tech-net
  • Towing
  • 24 Month Warranty

7417 Redwood Blvd
| Novato, CA

(415) 893-9056
MON-THU | 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
FRIDAYS | 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Weekends | Closed