01
Auto Repair & Diagnostics
From stubborn check engine lights to intermittent problems other shops can't pin down, we track down what's actually wrong with your car.
Santa Cruz's Independent, Honest Auto Shop
Get a Second Opinion Before You Pay
Almar Tire & Auto Care checks what dealers and other shops miss, then tells you the truth about what your car actually needs.
4.7★
Google Rating
77
Google Reviews
Free
Diagnostic Check
$25
Headlight Repair
OEM
Critical Parts
Services
Everything we take on.
02
Second Opinions & Inspections
Before you approve a big repair recommended elsewhere, bring it in and we'll give you an honest read on what your car actually needs.
03
Tire Service
Tire sales, mounting, and repair for daily drivers around Santa Cruz.
04
Brake & Light Repair
Headlights, brake lights, and the small stuff that keeps you street legal and safe, fixed fast and without the dealer markup.
05
Smog Check Prep
A thorough top to bottom inspection catches the issues that could fail your smog check before they become a problem at the test center.
Photos
A look around.
A second opinion could save you thousands before you approve the repair.
Our story
Straight Answers, Fair Prices
Almar Tire & Auto Care is a small, independent repair shop on Almar Ave in Santa Cruz, run by Tyler and his team. We got here by doing the unglamorous work well: careful diagnostics, honest quotes, and repairs we stand behind.
We would rather tell you your car is fine than sell you a repair it doesn't need. When a customer came in after a dealer quoted seven thousand dollars for leaking camshaft gaskets, we found no oil leak at all. When another shop wanted two thousand dollars for engine mounts, we checked them and found they were still serviceable. That is the kind of second opinion we specialize in.
On the parts that matter most, like engine seals and gaskets, we stick with Toyota OEM to prevent future issues, and before you drive off we walk you through exactly what was replaced and what to expect down the road.
- Free diagnostic checks
- Second opinions before big repairs
- OEM parts on critical repairs
- Owner-operated, independent shop
What customers say
“This was my family's third experience with this hard working independent tire and auto repair shop. Last year, they determined why the engine light on our 1996 Ford van kept coming on, even though the Ford dealership couldn't find the problem. Recently I took our 2017 Subaru Forester in, having been told by the Subaru dealer that the camshaft gaskets were leaking oil and needed to be replaced, at a cost of $7,000. Upon inspection, Almar found no oil leaks. Bottom line: GET A SECOND OPINION at Almar Auto on any suggested major repairs of your car.”
“Tyler and his team did an amazing job on my Toyota 4Runner, when he said it would be clean enough to eat off of, he was not exaggerating. Before turning the car back over to me he went over everything that had been done and pointed out the parts that had been replaced. For the important parts such as engine seals and gaskets he only used Toyota OEM to prevent future issues.”
“The owner installed new low beams and a brake light for only $25 and even vacuumed the front for me! The people running this place and working here seem to have so much compassion for people and take a lot of pride in what they do.”
Get it booked.
Serving Santa Cruz, CA.
(831) 429-8711
Get directions →815 Almar Ave #3, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
Hours
Open now- Monday
- 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Tuesday
- 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Wednesday
- 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Thursday
- 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Friday
- 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Saturday
- Closed
- Sunday
- Closed
815 Almar Ave #3, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
Get directions →