San Carlos Auto Repair

You have a busy day ahead of you -- you get in your vehicle, ready to run to the grocery store for some supplies and then make it back in time for your morning meeting when you notice your check engine light flashing incessantly on your dashboard. You decide you will get it checked tomorrow; you are just too busy today. But a few days go by, the light stays on, and you finally remember that your check engine light needs to be looked at.  When you see that check engine light illuminated on your dashboard, we recommend reacting right away and scheduling an appointment with the technicians at A+ Japanese Auto Repair for an appointment. When the light appears on your dash, you might only have a short period to bring your vehicle to qualified technicians to prevent more extensive problems. Here are five reasons why you shouldn't ignore your check engine light ... read more

School is just around the corner. Some of us might have little ones that aren’t so little anymore and need a vehicle. This is a big decision for any parent, as you need a safe, secure, and affordable vehicle. The team at A+ Japanese Auto Repair is here to help you evaluate the vehicle right for you and your son or daughter. Of course, safety always comes first.    The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently changed its system for its Top Safety Picks and Top Safety Pick Plus winners, making it a lot harder for vehicles to make the cut.  The safest cars are in the Top Safety Pick Plus category -- they need to earn a Good rating in all crash tests, get Advanced or Superior scores for front crash prevention, and come with Acceptable or Good rated headlights. Before this system change, automakers could install higher rated headlights on various models and still make the cut. However, this year, they have to ... read more

You are driving down the road with your family. Each of you is hugely excited for the day at the beach, enjoying the warm summer, when your engine starts to smoke. You immediately pull over amid the confused and concerned comments of your passengers. Do you know what to do next, specifically do you know how to handle an overheating vehicle?    If you ever find yourself dealing with an overheated vehicle, we want you to be prepared. Most likely, heat isn’t able to escape the engine, which can be caused by a cooling system leak, damaged radiator fan, broken water pump, or even a clogged coolant hose.  A few things to note before checking your vehicle's cooling system. Navigate your vehicle to a safe place before getting out of the vehicle. Freeways and city streets can be very dangerous. If you find yourself stuck in the middle of a freeway, it has been advised not to get out of the vehicle. Call for help and wait for assistance.  B ... read more

With summer almost here, we might be getting a little stir crazy, spending all this time indoors. With shelter in place in the Bay area, one thing we all learned is that “it is not about the destination, but the journey.” You can quickly get out on the road and explore the Bay Area from the comfort and safety of your vehicle. It doesn’t matter if you are looking for a drive through the redwood trees or along the coast, California, specifically the Bay Area, has something for everybody. Here are six scenic drives to take in the Bay Area:    Skyline Boulevard (Route 35): This mountain ridge road is often overlooked, but if you are looking to step on the brakes and appreciate the views and scenery, Skyline Boulevard is perfect for you. We recommend stopping at the vista points and capture this moment with a photograph.  Panoramic Highway: If you are looking for a tour of Northern California’s most scenic geography ... read more

Thieves are stealing their catalytic converters from Toyota Prius vehicles ranging from model years 2001 to 2020.   Who is getting their Toyota Prius catalytic converter stolen?  We are seeing Toyota Prius clients have their catalytic converters stolen almost everywhere in the SF Bay Area. The clients' catalytic converters have been stolen while parked on the street or in their driveway. People who park in parking garages, apartment buildings, and even at work or school campuses during the middle of the day are also targeted because the theft can happen so quickly. You can watch a video ... read more

Most driving accidents are caused by human error, and many accidents can be avoided with these ten tips. At our auto repair shop, our goal is the safety of you and your vehicle. We recommend following these ten driver safety tips:  It is no surprise that number one of the list is vehicle maintenance. Whether it’s bald tires, brakes, a low battery, or a slow leak, if your vehicle is unsafe, our technicians at A+ Japanese Auto Repair will be able to quickly and accurately assess and fix the issue. Preventative maintenance doesn’t just extend the life of your car, but it keeps your vehicle driving safely and smoothly.  Make sure to practice defensive driving. Defensive driving involves maintaining a safe distance between you and other vehicles, while also not speeding. On the other hand, aggressive driving increases the risk of accidents. An aggressive driver typically will aggravate other drivers, creating a more dangerous and ris ... read more

We can officially say goodbye to winter, as spring is officially here! Spring means falling leaves, golden rays of sunlight peeking out behind the clouds, and of course, spring cleaning. The team at A+ Japanese Auto Repair doesn’t want you to forget about your vehicle this spring. During winter, your vehicle accumulates a massive amount of dust and debris. Spring is the perfect time to give your car a thorough cleaning. Here are some tips and tricks for spring cleaning:  Start with the outside:  Make sure to scrub your tires with a tire-cleaning spray and brush.  Wash your vehicle bumper-to-bumper. We recommend washing your car twice in a row.  Don’t forget about the underbody of your vehicle. A lot of debris and dirt can gather on your car’s underbody during wintertime.  Dry your vehicle with a microfiber cloth when all finished.  Now, you’re ready for your vehicle’s interior:  Car ... read more

COVID-19 - The New Normal - A+ Japanese Auto Repair in San Carlos   If you need auto repair in the San Carlos area, here is what we have changed:   * Free Pick-Up & Delivery with sanitization on each vehicle - we offer free vehicle pick up and delivery from your home or work. If you need to use one of loaner cars while we are working with your vehicle, let us know that too!   * "No-Touch" - Client Drop-Off / Pick Up Service - you can also bring the vehicle down to our shop at 780 Industrial Road, San Carlos CA 94070. Utilize our "no-touch" service where your keys and all of your interactions handled at a safe distance or fully electronically. Click here to watch the video on how to do t ... read more

Your tires are the only thing that maintains contact with the road. As you can imagine, they are essential to your safety on the road as you drive through San Carlos. Some tires require specific makes and models, and each tire has a different price and purpose. No tire is equal. The team at A+ Japanese Auto Repair is here to help you understand your tires.    Here are five things that every car owners need to know about tires:    Price: Usually, with tires, you get what you pay for. There are many suppliers out there that offer excellent tires at an affordable price. If the price of a tire seems too good to be true, don’t hesitate to ask our team. We can also point you in the right direction if you have any questions about tires.  Different Cars: When you purchase your car, it will come with a specified set of tires designed for your vehicle’s brakes, smooth handling, or steering response. If you decide to replace your tires with new ones, you wil ... read more

There are several fluids running through your vehicle’s engine. Each fluid plays an important role in keeping your vehicle running safely and smoothly. Your fluids will prevent both engine wear and damage, along with saving you both time and money in the long run. Here are 7 fluids that need to be properly maintained:  Your engine needs oil to keep the moving parts in your engine lubricated.  Radiator fluid keeps your engine from overheating.  Transmission fluid keeps your transmission properly lubricated, preventing expensive issues in the long-run.  Your power steering system allows you to control your vehicle’s wheels, and power steering fluid keeps this system performing in tip-top shape.  Your brake fluid adds power to your brake system to make sure you can safely stop and not run into any vehicles.  When the weather starts getting warmer, you will want to make sure that you have enough coolant. This way, your air conditioning system ... read more