San Carlos Auto Repair

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

Photo by Anthony Garcia on Unsplash   December is at hand, and this year's holiday season has begun! We hope 2021 has been good to you and the whole family; and that you've managed to keep ahead of things this year, despite a very rushed feeling after the slow torture that was 2021.   We also hope you remembered to take care of winter prep for your car; earlier if you have plans to go North or Northeast into the Rockies for skiing this year. Driving in colder areas means thinking practically about getting your car in the right condition for bad weather. If you haven't and don't intend to, we recommend you at least consider the security of hiring a rental car, one that is suited for winter driving in the ... read more

Photo by Holly Mandarich on Unsplash   November is here! Soon, we'll be contemplating family trips that navigate over the river and through the woods to Grandma's house. With the calendar turning to deep autumn, it's time to look ahead to colder weather and the occasional upset. In November, the rain can become a sudden surprise, especially when traveling North.    Soon, the month will be rocketing towards the holiday season, when traveling is at its peak. And if you wind up on the highway and your wipers are not in good enough shape to handle what mother nature is throwing out, it can be a terrifying ride-- and you may be forced to pull over and wait out the weather.   But now that you are ... read more

Photo by A+ Japanese Auto Repair   As we get closer to school being back in session, some of us will see first-time drivers emerging from our own homes. High school seniors will be driving to school for the first time, and some of us will be sending our kids out of the nest and off to a university or a college.    Our kids are young. Some are inexperienced drivers who will be going back to school while our even younger children may be walking or bicycling to school-- sometimes on the same roads. It’s crucial that we send our kids out in safe and reliable cars.   Here are the ten car repairs you shouldn’t put off before school starts:   Check the Brakes - Brakes are number one for a reason. Kids will dart in and out of the road on their way to and from school. Drivers, young and old, need all the reaction time they can get.     Check the Battery - People often forget that batteries have water or a gel solution in them. After a ... read more

Free Vehicle Check Up - During 2020 / 2021 Covid A+ Japanese Auto Repair in San Carlos is now offering a free, drive up, no-touch, vehicle pit stop service! What Is The Free Pit Stop Service? Our free pit stop service involves a technician performing an underhood fluid check, tire pressure inspection/reset, he will check all of your exterior lights and cleans off your underhood cowl/air intake. Video explaining The Pit Stop service. How Do I Take Advantage Of The Free Pit Stop Service? We created this free pit stop service for our clients to allow them to have their vehicles looked after between services. We recognize that vehicles may be driven less during the COVID shutdowns but that doesn't mean your vehicle should go too long without being checked out. Do I Have To Get Out Of My Vehicle?  If you are an A ... 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