1
Know your number
The right pressure is on the label on the driver's door edge or in your owner's manual. Check every tire, spare included, at least once a month. NHTSA ↗
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Everything your car needs.
Oil, tires, brakes, battery, smog and the rest. Tell me your car and ZIP, pick the service, and shops near you quote it.
EV mode
or drag Auti
Road signs are mile markers from a source. Balloons have no set mile: go by your owner's manual and the signs your car gives you.
Ask Auti
Why people book
Most bookings start with a small question. Here are the ones we hear, with straight answers and the right service.
Tire school
Read your tires
in three checks
Tires are the only part of the car that touches the road. NHTSA's tire page boils the basics down to these.
2
The penny test
Put a penny in a tread groove, head first and upside down. If you can see the top of Lincoln's head, it's time for new tires. NHTSA ↗
3
Watch the wear bar
Tires should be replaced when the tread wears down to 2/32 of an inch. When it's level with the little bar between the grooves, that's the sign. NHTSA ↗
One place
Pick a service
From the routine to the "what's that noise". Tap one to see shops near you.
The long road
Car care,
then and now
Wipers, smog checks and the tire light on your dash all started somewhere. Scroll the road.
1903
The windshield wiper
Mary Anderson is granted a patent for a windshield wiper.
1917
Wipers that run themselves
The first automatic electric wiper arms are patented, credited to Charlotte Bridgwood.
1963
Intermittent wipers
Robert Kearns builds his first intermittent wiper system, the pause setting most cars have now.
1966
California cleans the air
California sets the nation's first tailpipe emissions standards.
1984
Smog Check
New legislation makes the Bureau of Automotive Repair the administrator of California's Smog Check Program.
2000
The TREAD Act
Congress passes the TREAD Act, which leads to tire pressure warning systems in new cars.
2007
The tire light
Tire pressure monitoring covers all US light vehicles sold after September 1, 2007.
2026
Auti Now
Tell Auti your car and ZIP, and book everything it needs in one place on Lokuli.
Sources: Wikipedia on wipers and tire pressure monitoring; CARB history; BAR at 50.
The glovebox
Straight from
the official sources
No made-up schedules. Here's what California and federal agencies actually say, with links so you can read it yourself.
Registration renewal
California Department of Motor Vehicles
- You can renew online as soon as you get your renewal notice.
- If your vehicle needs smog certification, that has to be done before your renewal can be finalized.
- Exempt: electric vehicles, gas vehicles 1975 and older, and diesel 1997 and older, among others.
When you need a Smog Check
California Bureau of Automotive Repair
- A Smog Check is required every other year to renew your registration, and when a vehicle changes ownership.
- Gas, hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles eight model years and newer don't need one for renewal. A smog abatement fee is due with renewal instead.
- Electric vehicles and motorcycles are exempt.
Recalls and tires
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Look up your 17 character VIN (lower left of the windshield) for open safety recalls. A dealer fixes the recalled part for free.
- Check tire pressure at least once a month, spare included.
- If your manufacturer recommends it, rotate tires every 5,000 to 8,000 miles, or sooner if you see uneven wear.
Check your number
CalRecycle
- The old 3,000 mile standard is out of date and no longer applies to most cars.
- Many cars can go 5,000, 7,500, 10,000 or even 15,000 miles between oil changes. Your owner's manual has your number.
- CalRecycle has a locator for used oil recycling centers.
Maintenance saves gas
U.S. Department of Energy and EPA
- Keeping tires at the right pressure can improve gas mileage 0.6% on average, and up to 3% in some cases.
- Using the manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil can improve gas mileage 1% to 2%.
- On modern cars, a new air filter won't improve fuel economy, but it can improve acceleration.
How it works
Booked in three taps
- Tell Auti the carYear, make, model, ZIP and the service. That's what a shop needs to quote.
- Compare shopsShops near you quote through Lokuli. Each one sets its own price.
- Pick a timeRequest a slot and you're set. Repairs come with a written estimate first, per California's BAR.
Near you
Shops around town
Good to know
Questions for Auti
How often should I change my oil?
Check your owner's manual for your number. CalRecycle says the old 3,000 mile standard is out of date for most cars, and many can go 5,000, 7,500, 10,000 or even 15,000 miles.
When do I need a smog check in California?
The Bureau of Automotive Repair says a Smog Check is required every other year to renew registration and when a vehicle changes ownership. Gas, hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles eight model years and newer pay a smog abatement fee at renewal instead, and electric vehicles are exempt.
How often should tires be rotated?
Follow your owner's manual. NHTSA says that if your manufacturer recommends it, rotate every 5,000 to 8,000 miles, or sooner if you see uneven wear.
How do I know my tires are worn out?
NHTSA says tires should be replaced at 2/32 of an inch of tread. Use the penny test or look for the tread wear bars. Some makers also recommend replacing tires that are six to 10 years old, whatever the tread.
What tire pressure should I use?
The number on the label on the driver's door edge or in your owner's manual. Check at least once a month, spare included.
Are recall repairs free?
Yes. NHTSA says to contact your local dealership to fix the recalled part for free. Look up your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Does an electric car need maintenance?
Yes, though there's no engine oil to change. Tires, brakes and wipers still wear, and your owner's manual lists the rest. EVs are exempt from California Smog Checks.
Can someone come to me?
For many jobs, yes. Pick mobile mechanic and describe what you need. Whether it can be done where the car sits depends on the provider.
How much will it cost?
Each shop sets its own price based on your car and the job. Shops quote you through Lokuli, so you can compare before you book.
Run a shop?
Get booked by Auti drivers
Auti Now sends drivers to shops on Lokuli. Go live free with a bookable shop page, take requests online, and pay no commission on any plan.