Local driving, simple maintenance, and what we see in the bay.
\1North Beach · San Francisco · Auto Repair
First big storm of the year always brings a flood of the same issues: streaky wipers, slow cranks, and windows that won’t defog. We get ahead of it in October so you don’t get caught in the first downpour on Columbus.
North Beach · San Francisco · Auto Repair
Replace streaky blades and ensure nozzles spray evenly. We’ll top up washer fluid and check hoses.
Wet braking distances increase—good pads and rotors matter. We inspect for glazing and rust lips.
Cooler, damp weather exposes weak batteries. We load‑test and check charging system output.
A/C helps dehumidify cabin air; make sure the system engages and cabin filter is clean.
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New wiper blades, topped‑up washer fluid, battery load test, brake inspection, and a cabin filter check. It’s simple, fast, and it solves 80% of the wet‑weather annoyances we see.
Moisture in the cabin from wet floor mats + a tired cabin filter + A/C that hasn’t been used since summer. Run A/C with defrost, crack a rear window for a minute, and swap the filter if it’s dark or musty.
Cool damp nights expose weak cells. If your starter drags even a little, swing by—five‑minute test, no pressure.
Written by the Bob’s Auto SF crew on Columbus Ave — real stories from the bay, steep streets and all.