California Auto Center

So great. I’ve gotten a few part replacements and oil changes done here and always gotten my car back quickly. Jerry is awesome and they’re always great about making sure you’re clear on price and being frank with you about whether an issue is something that can wait, or one that could threaten your safety or your car — really helpful when you have a few things to repair at once! Plus, they’re just a few streets away from downtown Burlingame, so you can walk over and do errands while you wait!
Definitely recommend.

Just got my oil change here and the service was extremely quick. I also received a complimentary tire pressure check and they patched up a nail in the back tire.
The owner (Andrew) is very helpful and knowledgeable. He explained a timeline of future services to expect and when to expect it; more importantly, I did not feel any pressure to upgrade to any additional services. I will definitely return for all future car services.
Highly recommend checking this shop out!

These guys are incredibly honest and incredibly good! They are very atypical to regular mechanics. With regular mechanics, I’m typically waiting with my butt-​cheeks clenched to hear what the number of problems they are going to identify are and how to triage between them. With these guys, they only identify the most critical problems. Even my 60k service was really cheap because they only did the work that was necessary. Another example of their honesty, I brought my car to them to see if it was in good enough shape to tow a trailer to Burning Man. They were able to identify two separate recalls that Nissan had done that would pose a problem with the towing. They brought my car to the Nissan dealership and had my radiator and transmission replaced for FREE rather than charging me thousands of dollars. In fact, they were also able to identify other recall issues that the dealership fixed. Only charged me a 120 bucks for all the work they did dealing with Nissan dealership and diagnosing all the issues etc. Really impressed.

Finally! I found a good and honest mechanic! These guys are legit. I’m definitely going back to them for all my future car problems.

These guys are great. Quick, kind and knowledgeable! Would def recommend them and will be back again.

Just had my aircon system recharged and wheel balanced.
They are the most honest people I’ve encountered so far.
Jerry is very accommodating and don’t sell services that you don’t need. I picked up my car on time.
Definitely will go back for my future car maintenance services. Prices are reasonable.
Goodbye wheel works and Firestone.
Highly recommended!!!

Awesome shop to go to. They saved my family’s life. They were closed but there were guys inside working. My husband drove in with a complete flat tire. Not only did they help take the tire off, but they even found a used tire for my vehicle that fits! Great customer service! Bravo to the California auto service!!! I see you can’t go wrong with them. Even when your life depends on it. Thanks again!

I have been going here for 7 years with 4 different cars. There’s always great service when I go and they always check in with you about what repairs to make and or what is coming up next for maintenance for the car. I can’t say enough Gary, Andrew and staff have been great.

This place is pretty darn good. My car broke down and was towed there, and they stored it for $ 25 a day until I could resolve the problem. Pretty darn affordable compared to most places! The staff was helpful, informative, patient, and accommodating. They gave me good advice and were, overall, good folks. Recommended!
Just keep in mind that this place is easy to miss; you’re likely to drive right past it and never even know it’s there.

Very helpful, straightforward, and friendly. Their prices are reasonable, they work quickly, and they are honest. What more can you ask for?

Good experience. They were done with my car in an hour as promised. Inexpensive oil change and no ‘add ons’ or additional things that they asked me to fix that didnt need fixing. A little hard to find as it’s in the back side of California.

We were looking for a new oil change place close to home that wouldn’t break the bank but still provided quality service when we ran across California Auto Center! They have multiple locations in the area, but we took our Acura to the one in Burlingame since it was closest.
The gentleman were friendly and courteous, and quickly completed our standard oil change in 45 minutes. Make an appointment (we did), so you’re assured your car is done without much of a wait.
The guys also noticed that two of our rear brake lights needed replacement (which we knew about, but just hadn’t gotten around to fixing) and charged a mere $ 10 to replace them both.
P. S. Although the waiting area (if you can call it that) is nothing to rave about, there is a place to sit and they’ll provide you with the wi-​fi code if you ask.

They will honest to tell & suggest what u can do for your car! They explain very detail for someone like me (know nothing about the car)!

John helped change my oil for me. They are honest hard working and keep business local. I’d rather go here for expedited service that is 5 stars then go to a chain and spend money on the minimum service expectations. They top off your fluids too!

I went to California Auto for 2 years and always had a great, no pressure experience for oil changes and basic work. Until the last time… Two weeks before I moved out of the state, I took my truck to get an oil change and general health check up. Just like in the past, I called ahead, made my appointment with the front desk, and dropped my truck off on the scheduled day, leaving my keys in the drop box since they aren’t open before I go to work. I waited all day for the «we’re finished» call and when it didn’t come, I had my co-​worker take me to the shop. It was 5:32 PM. The shop closes at 5:30 but when we got there, there wasn’t a soul in sight. Everything was dark and the office was closed. They had obviously closed early without calling me. I called the office line… no one picked up, not even an answering machine. I banged on the door… no one was there. Did I mention this was a Friday so I was now stranded all weekend without an explanation?!? My co-​worker took me to Caltrain and I went home. I tried calling on Saturday, but CA Auto is not open on the weekends and again no answering machine. Finally, Monday comes, I get to work and I call the office after they’ve opened. I speak with John, the «front office manager». When I identified myself and my vehicle, he says «Oh yeah! We wondered who that truck belonged to.» Are you kidding?!? Not only did they not do any of the scheduled work but they didn’t even try to identify the owner of the mysterious truck. I asked, «Did you look up the tag or VIN number in your system since I’ve been a long term customer?» No. «Did you look at the last name written on the key and check it in your system?» Oh. We didn’t see that. «Did you check your appointments to see what was scheduled?» No. So basically, you have a vehicle mysteriously appear at your shop and you didn’t take any notice of it. Now understanding why they didn’t call me on Friday, I try to explain to John how their unprofessionalism left me stranded in the dark on a Friday night without a vehicle all weekend, and how I’m concerned that the necessary work won’t be done before I move. His answer, «Yeah. Sorry for the miscommunication. We were slammed on Friday.» John showed no understanding, no willingness to make the situation right, and no concern for their business’s reputation or future referrals. He wouldn’t look me in the eye or offer any more explanation than «Yeah. We were slammed. We’ll get it done today.» They did my oil change & air filter within 2 hours but again wouldn’t do more to fix their customer service mishap. The most they would do is discount my $ 20 air filter a few bucks. In the end, they were willing to trade a good name & multiple referrals for a final bill of $ 40. California Auto has a lot of quirks… no answering machine, sporadic business hours, an inconsistent calling policy… but they have historically been a great mechanic. 3 weeks ago, I would have given 5 stars but my latest interaction was beyond disappointing. If you have your vehicle serviced by them, don’t leave anything with John or think that you can drop it off without activity checking in on it

After getting ripped off for years at On Track in Burlingame i knew i had to find new mechanics when my car started leaking oil. (Which i later found out was due to faulty work from On Track in the past.) Gary was very proffesional, talked to me in a way that i understood what he was doing and why, and charged me a fair by-​the-​book price for the job he did and very little in labor. He had me come back in two weeks just to make sure everything was in tip top shape, and when he found that the oil pan was leaking still, fixed it and did not charge me for labor.
Im so happy i finally found some honest mechanics!

My family & I have been going to California Auto Center for our car repairs for years.
We also refer our friends & co-​workers.
We love their honesty — they only tell you things that you really need to fix. They explain very well on what the work/​job/​repair is. You also get a lot of good advises from them regards to car maintenance, car selections, smog check station, body shop, etc.
Price is reasonable.
Turn around time is as promised, and if urgent, they try to accommodate as much as they can.
I still remember one time my car refused to start — I was in Campbell, and AAA does not even cover that long distance of a tow — Andrew called his regular tow truck company and towed it back to his shop for a very inexpensive fee. In addition, it happened after work hours, and Andrew spent his off hours to assist/​rescue.
You do not get this kind of good service at other places — but here.

With the rains coming, my Honda needed some attention annnd…
I was done with EVERYone mentioning, «Did you know you’re check engine light is on?»
Yes… I know that light is on, and no it’s not the check engine, it’s the oxygen sensor in the back, and I just don’t want to dole out all that cash right now.
Thanks to Gary and Andrew (?), that repetitive conversation is GONE!
Gary was really helpful, quick, and quoted some reasonable numbers over the phone. I was able to bring in my car that day and picked it up a few hours later.
Gary even offered to pick up and drop me off.
I went in just to replace the sensor (w/​1 year guarantee) and get an oil change, but they also rotated my tires, gave my car an all over check with a thorough report, and even replaced one of tail lights at no charge! They made sure to stay in contact & phoned me when I didn’t have the key for my tire locks, giving me options and prices. Totally hassle free and I appreciated all their help.
Being automobile-​ignorant, I’m a little suspicious from past experiences, but these guys were really informative about the whole process and didn’t force/​push anything. I’ll be sure to bring my car back.

Amazing service, courteous staff, and great work.
Big ups on affordability too – and for a college student, that’s saying a lot. If IIIII can pay for it then honestly, anyone can.
I’m a little tired at the moment so I’m just gonna state the basics of why this place deserves 5 stars.
Saturday morning:
–Car wouldn’t start and needed a new starter.
–Called at around 10 am and Andrew, I believe, picked up the phone.
–NEEDED a new starter that DAY since I had a hectic schedule ahead of me.
–Told him the problem and he said he could have it done that day.
–Finally started up my 96 Corolla and drove to the shop half an hr later.
–First time going to a shop EVER in my LIFE and I was kinda nervous. College girl who looks like she knows nothing about cars… you get the jist.
–Anyhoo they treated me really nicely and made me feel comfortable.
–Went home to wait and…
–1.5 hours later TADA! Car was done :) *note* 2 cars were already in the shop and another car had just pulled in ahead of me.
Also I’d like to mention that they will drop you off and pick you back up when your car is done.
Oh, and Andrew asked me on the phone if I’d like the original starter type or just a regular starter when I had asked for a quote. I asked him for the difference and he told me that they’re pretty much the same but the original cost more and works a little longer. BUT the regular starter is still just as good. And THAT I think deserves extra stars cause normally businesses will try and persuade you to spend more $$$
And yes, my car has been working properly ever since I got the new starter from CAC so yes, I’m very happy and satisfied :)

I brought my Toyota for its 60,000 mile maintenance service at my dealership and they told me that I need to get my serpentine belt replaced, a brake fluid flush, and power steering flush. With the parts and labor, they quoted me about $ 650. I was like, «WHAT THE HELL??» I wanted to get a second opinion and found California Auto Center on Unilocal.
They told me that dealerships often overcharge and with the amount of mileage I have my car, these things weren’t too critical. Andrew said to bring in the car to verify what I needed. He told me that the serpentine belt was indeed worn out, but could last another 60,000 miles, didn’t really need a power steering flush, and my brake fluid was in the yellow, but in a month, it may be in the red. I decided to get all three items done for peace of mind. I left my car overnight and he took me back to my place.
The next day he called me to say my car was ready for pick up in the morning and sent someone to pick me up at my apartment. It only took about an hour and half to finish the work and I was able to get to work by lunch time.
I’m satisfied with California Auto Center for their work and I saved $ 450. WHOOO-​HOOO! Most likely I will continue going to the dealership for my maintenance checkups, but bringing my car here for my auto work.