From the shop
Notes from 30 years on Oakdale.
Service guides, diagnostic explainers, and stories from running an independent family-owned auto shop in Bayview, San Francisco. Written by Frank and the team.
- May 7, 2026
What actually happens during a California smog check.
Step by step: what we plug in, what we look at, what makes a car fail, and what to do if it does. Written for anyone with a renewal notice in their hand.
- May 7, 2026
Brake noise: a sound-by-sound diagnostic guide.
Squeal, grind, pulse, scrape, thunk. What each one usually means, how urgent it is, and whether you can drive to the shop or need a tow.
- May 7, 2026
Why your check engine light is on: the 8 most common causes.
From a loose gas cap to a failing catalytic converter, the eight things we see most often when a Bayview customer rolls in with a check engine light. With rough cost ranges.
- May 7, 2026
How to choose an auto repair shop in San Francisco.
What to look for, what to ask, and what red flags should send you somewhere else. Written by a 30-year Bayview shop owner who has seen what other shops do to customers.
- May 7, 2026
Pre-purchase inspection: what to check before buying a used car in SF.
A practical checklist for anyone buying a used car in the Bay Area. What we check on the lift, what to ask the seller, and what should make you walk away.
- May 7, 2026
30 years on Oakdale: how cars in Bayview have changed.
What I have seen come through the bay since 1996. The cars, the city, and what makes a Bayview customer different from anywhere else.
Stop By
A & C Auto Clinic
2800 Oakdale Ave
San Francisco, CA 94124
(415) 648-2226Mon to Fri, 8am to 5pm. Walk-ins welcome. Closed Sat and Sun.