San Carlos Auto Repair

Photo by Jean-Christophe Gougeon On Unsplash We’ve all seen the signs at gas stations: "Turn off engine while fueling." Yet, some drivers still wonder if turning off their car when filling the tank is necessary. In this blog, we’ll explore the reasons behind this standard safety directive and whether keeping your engine running while pumping gas affects fuel efficiency and overall vehicle health.   Turning off your engine while pumping gas ensures safety and prevents potential hazards. Idling can waste fuel, increase emissions, and cause unnecessary wear on your vehicle. This simple step can protect you and your car while benefiting the environment. The Safety Concerns The primary reason for turning off your engine while pumping gas is safety. Gasoline is highly flammable, and the fu ... read more

Many drivers who come into A+ Japanese Auto Repair wonder if using premium gasoline will improve their car's performance and fuel efficiency. So, does premium gasoline really improve a vehicle's performance?  No, premium gasoline does not improve performance for all cars. It is only beneficial for high-performance and luxury vehicles with high-compression engines. For most cars designed to run on regular gasoline, using premium fuel provides no significant advantage. To address this question fully, it's essential to understand what premium gasoline is and how it differs from regular gasoline. Below, we’ll go into the details of what cars need premium gasoline, how gasoline affects Japanese vehicles, and info about doing what’s best for your vehicle.  Understanding Octane Rating Premium gasoline typically has a higher octane rating than regular gasoline. The octane rating indicates the fuel's ability to resist "knocking" or "pingi ... read more

How to Keep Your Infiniti Running Longer Owning an Infiniti is a dream come true for many car enthusiasts. Infiniti, the luxury division of Nissan, offers style, performance, and comfort. To make the most of your investment and enjoy a smooth ride for years, it's crucial to take care of your Infiniti properly. In this guide, we will explore essential tips and practices to keep your Infiniti running longer. Regular Maintenance Tips for Your Infiniti Regular Oil Changes One of the most vital maintenance tasks is regularly changing your Infiniti's oil. Fresh oil ensures proper lubrication, protects the engine, and enhances fuel efficiency. Follow manufacturer recommendations to establish your oil change schedule. Check and Replace Air Filters Air filters are crucial in maintaining the engine's health by filtering out dust and debris. Regularly inspect and replace them to ensure optimal performance. Inspect Belts and Hoses Over time, belts and hoses can wear out or beco ... read more

Meet Your Subaru Technician: The Extensive Training of A+ Japanese Auto Repair's ASE-Certified Mechanics As a Subaru owner, you want to make sure that your vehicle receives the best possible care from experts who know the ins and outs of your car. At A+ Japanese Auto Repair in San Carlos, CA, we take pride in our team of ASE-certified technicians who have undergone extensive training to work on your Subaru. In this article, we will take you through the rigorous training that our mechanics go through to become experts in Subaru maintenance and repair. Introduction to Subaru Vehicles The first step to becoming a Subaru technician is understanding the intricacies of these unique vehicles. Our ASE-certified mechanics are well-versed in the history, design, and function of Subaru cars. They study Subaru models from the past and present, learning about the technological advancements that have made these cars some of the most reliable and efficient on the market. Basic Automotive Tra ... read more

How to Keep Your Subaru Around for the Long Haul: 5 Tips from the Subaru Pros Subaru is a reliable car brand known for producing high-quality vehicles suited for everything from city commutes to outdoor excursions. To ensure that your Subaru stands the test of time, proper care and maintenance are essential. Here are five tips from our pros to help you maintain your Subaru and keep it in top condition. Regular Maintenance If servicing Subarus for all these years has taught us anything, it's that one of the most important things you can do to keep your Subaru in top condition is keep up with regular maintenance. This includes oil changes, tire rotations, and brake inspections. Routine maintenance can help you catch problems before they become major issues and save you money in the long run. Check Your Fluids Another important aspect of maintaining your Subaru is checking your fluids.   You'll want to consider your: Engine oil Transmission fluid Brake fluid Power ... read more

By Stockbakers The Importance of Choosing the Right Technician for your Toyota Vehicle  The engine is the heart of your car and choosing the right technician is key to having it running smoothly and efficiently. Like a doctor trains for years to master the complex network of anatomy in your body, trained automotive technicians do too.   Toyota vehicles have unique maintenance needs that require specific knowledge and training. That's why it's important to research technicians who are experienced in working on Toyotas and understand how they function. Moreover, selecting a trained and certified technician will guarantee that they know what they're doing when it comes to servicing or repairing your vehicle.  What are ASE-Certifications? ASE Certifications are a valuable way to recognize individuals for expertise in the automotive service industry. ASE stands for Automotive Service Excellence, and individuals must pass rigorous tests to earn each of the si ... read more

By KM. Photo Common Toyota Problems You Need To Look Out For Toyota vehicles are known for their reliability and durability. However, even the most reliable cars need regular maintenance to keep them running smoothly. Ignoring routine maintenance can lead to more serious issues down the road and, ultimately, more money spent on costly repairs.   Let's discuss some of the most common vehicle problems with Toyota vehicles and how you can avoid them with proper preventative maintenance and a knowledgeable auto repair shop you can rely on.  Engine Oil Leaks  One of Toyota's most common service issues is engine oil leaks. Components become brittle or crack over time due to regular exposure to heat and pressure, causing oil leaks. To catch or prevent this issue from occurring, it's important that you have your vehicle inspected during the engine oil change (roughly every 5 thousand miles). Let’s make sure your vehicle’s seals remain properly lubric ... read more

Photo by Joshua Naidoo on Unsplash   Cracking the Code: Toyota's Codes Have you received diagnostic readers as gifts recently?    These tiny devices attach to your vehicle’s diagnostic system, allowing you to get the service codes behind warning lights on your dashboard. While they don’t have the range and depth of the sophisticated diagnostics we use at A+ Japanese Auto Repair, they can give a clue about what’s going wrong in your vehicle and where to proceed.    Understanding the problem is the beginning of finding an answer   It’s not enough to have the code. You will also need to understand what parts the code corresponds to and how the different codes in play wo ... read more

  Bay Area Living is Busy! Book your next auto repair appointment and use our free vehicle pick-up & delivery service. Our free vehicle pick-up & delivery service works from your home or work (within 7 miles of our store). We typically pick up vehicles between 9-11am and often return the vehicle the next day during the same time. If that time frame doesn't work, please ask our staff we can make an accommodation. Office - 650-946-1856 Lastly, if you need a car to use while we are servicing yours, we have that too. Our goal is to allow you the freedom to get through your day without the hassle of car repair ... read more

Photo by Steady Hand Co. on Unsplash Lexus is one of our specialties! At A+ Japanese Auto Repair, we specialize in Lexus maintenance. We have specialized trained technicians who can see to your car and help you keep it in the pink. That’s for all the Lexus models we see: Sedans, SUV’s, and even Hybrids. And when we perform repairs on your Lexus, we use Lexus parts to make the work seamless and brilliant. An Ounce of Prevention Part of upkeep is knowing how to look after the product. Many customers ask us: what can I do to better maintain my Lexus? The answers range from the obvious to the obscure. Let’s go through them together. Follow your Lexus Service Maintenance Schedule.  Don’t miss out on time or mile ... read more