Expert Acura maintenance and repair from ASE-certified technicians at ExperTec Automotive Costa Mesa.
Acura drivers along the Newport Blvd corridor in Costa Mesa expect an MDX, RDX or TLX to feel as sharp at 90,000 miles as it did on day one. At ExperTec Automotive, our ASE-certified technicians have kept Orange County Acuras running right for more than 30 years, just minutes from South Coast Plaza and the OC Fair grounds.
Costa Mesa driving is a mix of quick errands, stop-and-go on the 55 and weekend runs toward Newport Beach. Salt air and short trips are hard on batteries, brakes and engine oil, so we follow your Maintenance Minder closely and check for the corrosion that coastal cars quietly collect.
We use OEM-quality parts and dealer-level scan tools on every Acura, from Integra and ILX sedans to the latest MDX, and back our work with a 3-year/36,000-mile nationwide warranty. It’s a big part of why Orange County has voted us its best auto repair 10 years in a row.
Acura uses the Maintenance Minder system, which calculates remaining engine oil life from how the vehicle is actually driven, including engine temperature, trip length and load, and shows it as a percentage on the dash. When service is due, the display shows a main code (A for an oil change, B for an oil and filter change plus a broader inspection) along with numbered sub-codes 1 through 7 for items like tire rotation, air filters, transmission fluid, spark plugs and timing belt, coolant, rear differential fluid and brake fluid. Short trips and hot stop-and-go driving shorten the interval, so we service by the code on your dash rather than a fixed mileage and reset the Minder when the work is done.
Upon completion of the standard maintenance tasks we provide an additional 30-point inspection to make sure that all components in your Acura are up to date and working well.
~5,000–10,000 miles (as the Minder calls for it)
~15,000–105,000 miles, varies by model/engine
At ExperTec Automotive, we’ve been repairing Acura vehicles in Orange County for over 30 years. Even well-built Acura models develop specific problems as they age, and 55 Freeway commutes and coastal salt air add to the wear. Our Costa Mesa technicians diagnose these issues quickly, follow Acura factory repair procedures and use quality parts you can trust.
A loud one- to two-second grinding rattle right after a cold start is the classic sign of a worn variable valve timing (VTC) actuator on 2.4L K-series engines, such as those in the TSX and ILX. The noise usually gets worse over time and can eventually set timing codes. We confirm it on a cold engine, replace the actuator and inspect the timing chain and tensioner while we are in there.
Acura’s J-series V6 engines in the MDX, TL, TLX V6 and earlier RDX use a timing belt rather than a chain. The Maintenance Minder calls for it with sub-code 4, often somewhere past ~100,000 miles, varying by model/engine and driving conditions. These are interference engines, so a snapped belt can bend valves. We replace the belt, tensioner and water pump together as one package.
V6 models with Variable Cylinder Management, including many 2010s RDX, MDX and TLX vehicles, can develop oil consumption as piston rings in the deactivated cylinders gum up with deposits. Symptoms include low oil between changes, misfires and fouled spark plugs. We measure consumption, inspect plugs and run cylinder diagnostics, then recommend the right fix, from plugs and cleaning to more involved engine repair.
Hydraulic engine mounts on the MDX, TL and TLX, particularly V6 models with cylinder deactivation, can wear out or leak fluid with age. You may feel extra vibration at idle, a clunk when shifting into drive or a shudder on acceleration. We inspect each mount with the engine under load, look for leaked fluid and replace failed mounts with OEM-quality parts to restore that smooth Acura feel.
Some mid-2010s TLX V6 and MDX models with the 9-speed automatic drew complaints of hesitation, harsh low-speed shifts and rough downshifts. Many cases improve with updated software and a proper adaptive relearn, while others need fluid service or deeper diagnosis. We scan for codes, check for available software updates, verify fluid condition and road-test to pinpoint whether the problem is calibration or mechanical.
Early-2000s MDX, TL and CL models are well known for automatic transmission trouble, including slipping, flaring between gears and a flashing D indicator on the dash. Plenty of these Acuras are still on Orange County roads. We check codes and fluid condition, recommend regular drain-and-fill service with the correct Honda/Acura fluid, and tell you honestly when repair or replacement makes more sense.
Our Costa Mesa auto repair shop is on Newport Boulevard, the main route between the 55 Freeway and Newport Beach, a short drive from Triangle Square and the OC Fair & Event Center.
Between 55 Freeway commutes, coastal trips to Newport and short around-town errands, Costa Mesa cars see a lot of heat, salt air and stop-and-go driving. That’s why our Costa Mesa technicians focus on catching problems early, explaining your options clearly and fixing it right the first time.
Neighborhoods we serve: Eastside Costa Mesa, Westside Costa Mesa, Mesa Verde, College Park, South Coast Metro, Newport Heights.
Nearby cities: Newport Beach, Irvine, Santa Ana, Huntington Beach, Fountain Valley.
Proud member of the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce.
1934 Newport Blvd, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
Mon–Fri 7:30AM–6PM · Sat 7:30AM–4PM · Sun Closed
Book in Costa MesaGet DirectionsView Shop DetailsOur Costa Mesa shop is at 1934 Newport Blvd, Costa Mesa, CA 92627. Call (949) 645-7722 or book online.
Monday through Friday 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM and Saturday 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM. We are closed on Sunday.
Most Acura engines are designed for premium unleaded (91 octane or higher), and your owner’s manual lists the recommendation for your exact model. Lower octane can reduce performance and fuel economy, so we suggest sticking with what Acura specifies.
Yes. Every repair includes a 3 Year / 36,000 Mile Nationwide Warranty plus 12 Month / 12,000 Mile Roadside Assistance.
Book online in minutes at ExperTec Automotive Costa Mesa. Online appointments are drop-off appointments; for a waiting appointment, please call the shop.
Mon–Fri 7:30AM–6PM · Sat 7:30AM–4PM. All appointments booked online are drop-off appointments. For waiting appointments, please call the shop.
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7680 Talbert Ave, Huntington Beach, CA 92648
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Voted Orange County’s Best Auto Repair 10 years in a row by readers of the Orange County Register. Book online in minutes or call your nearest shop.
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