Posted on 10/1/2019
We all love the magic of Halloween, from trick-or-treating to classroom parties and even the occasional trip to a haunted house. Even though Halloween can be fun and festive, it can take a turn for the worst. Take a look at this scary statistic: children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween than any other day of the year. Here are some Halloween safety tips to make sure your Halloween night stays safe and spooky for all the right reasons: A responsible adult should accompany young children on any trick-or-treating routes. Make sure you only travel in well-lit, familiar areas. When crossing the street, put those electronic devices down, keep your eyes and head up, and walk calmly across the street. Avoid masks, if possible, as they can obstruct vision. Consider fastening reflective tape to costumes and bags, or even give your children glow sticks for maximum visibility. All costumes, wigs, and a ... read more
Posted on 9/1/2019
Unfortunately, family-owned businesses seem to be a rarity. However, A+ Japanese Auto Repair in San Carlos has been a family-owned and operated business for 21 years. We continue to stand out among the other repair shops and dealerships in the area. There are many advantages and you have flexibility when you decide to work with a family-owned business: We treat your vehicle as a big investment because it is. You need a technician and repair shop that doesn’t just care about racking up a hefty invoice, but about taking care of you and your vehicle, looking toward the longevity of your car. You are more than just a number, and we want to protect your investment. You’ll get parts that meet or exceed manufacturers’ specifications. You also have the freedom to choose replacement parts that meet your budget and improve performance. You will receive the cutting-edge technology of the automotive industry. We invest heavily in training our technicians, state-of-the-ar ... read more
Posted on 8/1/2019
It can be quite scary -- watching your teen driver take a big step and drive themselves to school. You can imagine them, blasting the radio and stepping on the gas pedal, but with a reliable and safe vehicle, you can breathe a little easier. These cars are equipped with safety features, from automatic braking to blind spot monitors. Safety is the top priority when it comes to auto repair and picking out the safest car for your teen driver. Here are the safest Japanese cars on the market: Toyota Corolla: All of the latest and greatest safety features can be found in a Toyota Corolla. This car is also an economical option, both price and fuel wise. Honda Fit: The Honda Fit is small, but mighty, as it is quite a roomy Japanese vehicle. As a bonus, it is quite safe and gets great gas mileage. Toyota Prius V: This car is a little bigger than your typical Prius, but all the safety features and economical advantages remain the same. What more can you ask for? Subar ... read more
Posted on 7/1/2019
This summer, explore what Northern California has to offer. Our beautiful state has so many different hiking locations! At A+ Japanese Auto Repair, we want to make sure your car is ready to get you where you want this summer. Check out these hiking trails that you’ll be sure to love! Explore, Castle Lake Trail, located in Mount Shasta. This 11-mile hiking trail offers a spectacular view of lakes and peaks, giving you some of the most unique views that you'll ever see in Northern California. Experience Cinder Cone Nature Trail, located 4 hours northeast from San Francisco in Old Station, California. See Lassen’s volcanic landscape from this cinder cone. You will be able to see the landscape that was transformed by volcanic activity. Purisima Creek Trail, located in Half Moon Bay, that overlooks the slopes of the Santa Cruz mountains. From there, you will be able to see the beautiful redwood trees and creeks. Experience Santa Cruz’s beauty from this l ... read more
Posted on 5/1/2019
Summer is just around the corner, which means it is the perfect time to start planning your summer vacation. We can’t wait to embark on our summer adventures, especially if that means a road trip with your family. We are fortunate to live in such a lovely area, as we are surrounded by many beautiful places all within a day’s drive. Here are the top 7 road trip ideas for summertime in San Carlos: Nicasio, one of the tiniest towns in Marin County, is complete with some of the most delectable cheese and wine tasting in the region. Point Reyes, including Point Reyes National Seashore and make sure to hike and picnic along Abbotts Lagoon. North Bay Movie Tour in Petaluma is an excellent way to spend the day. George Lucas, the creator of “Star Wars,” filmed the classic, “American G ... read more
Posted on 11/27/2018
For most people, the name Felix Wankel doesn't ring a bell, but car aficionados around the world are familiar with the pioneering inventor of a one-of-a-kind rotary engine. After the Wankel engine's development, this pistonless powerhouse was often associated with Japanese automaker Mazda, which produced the Mazda Wankel rotary engine from 1967 to 2012. The Engine Truly elegant in its design and function, this rotary engine has no piston-driven cylinders. A single triangular rotor spins around an off-center axle within an oval-shaped chamber. Unlike a piston engine, it exerts exclusively rotational forces using only two moving parts. This simplicity creates fewer vibrations, resulting in a smoother and quieter ride. The Mazda Wankel engine's streamlined design allowed for much faster acceleration, but early models suffered from seal and stability issues during sustained high-speed rotations, which sometimes required ... read more