Auto Repair for Covina Drivers Coming East on the I-10

The I-10 is the usual route. Get on it heading east, ride through West Covina's edge, past the 57 and 71 junction in Pomona, and on into Montclair. Take the Central Ave exit and turn left to go north. Central runs straight up to Foothill Blvd in Upland, and the shop is at that corner, one block east of In-N-Out Burger.

Drivers on the north side of Covina sometimes prefer to climb to the 210 and head east, exiting at Mountain Ave in Upland and working back west on Foothill Blvd. Either route ends at the same place. The directions page shows the corner.

Many Covina cars are older and have plenty of miles. They spend their weeks on short errands around Citrus Ave and downtown Covina, where the engine barely warms up before it is shut off again. Short trips let moisture build in the oil and wear on batteries that never get a full charge.

Then there is the I-10. The stretch through Pomona, where the 57 and 71 join, is a daily knot of merging traffic. Heat from stop-and-go driving bakes old gaskets and seals, and a small leak that was only a spot on the driveway can turn into oil on the exhaust and a burning smell at a red light.

The Pomona interchange is a bad place to stall, so act early. If a warning light or a rising gauge shows up, move to the right lane and exit if you can. If you cannot, stop on the right shoulder with hazards on and stay clear of traffic. Let a hot engine cool with the hood closed and the radiator cap left alone.

Call (909) 608-7699 and tell us what the car did. We accept tow-ins, so the car can come straight to us. A burning smell with smoke from under the hood is a reason to stop the engine right away, even if the gauge still looks normal.

We rank the repairs. The written estimate separates what could leave you stranded or unsafe from what can be planned over the next few months. Declined items stay on the repair order, so next time we can check whether they have changed. If you bring your own parts, we inspect them first; labor is charged at book time and the part itself has no warranty. AAA members get 10% off parts and labor, up to $75. Hours are Monday to Friday 8 AM to 5 PM and Saturday 8 AM to 2 PM.