Tag Archives: maintenance required

Cracking the Code: Toyota's Codes

Cracking the Code: Toyota's Codes

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

Categories:

Toyota Service

How to Hang On To Your Lexus Longer

How to Hang On To Your Lexus Longer

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

Categories:

Lexus Service

What are the Honda Services Codes?

What are the Honda Services Codes?

  Honda is big at A+ Japanese Auto Repair We deal in ten different Japanese brands at A+ Japanese Auto Repair. One of the most loved brands is Honda! We find them to be very reliable cars if you keep up with the proper maintenance, which is why we recommend them to first-time Japanese car buyers.       What do the Honda Service Codes mean? Honda’s manufacturer-suggested maintenance is for every 5,000 miles. There are plenty of engine codes to learn surrounding the engine messages of a Honda. Here’s what the service recommendations mean:   Service A is the simple act of replacing the engine oil. Just draining and refilling, nothing more.   Service B is all the little things that can cause trouble when left unchecked: replacing the oil filter, a brake inspection, and anything else your owner’s manual deems to be significant at 5,000 miles.    Service 1 means rotating the tires and verifying the tire pressure and the con ... read more

Categories:

Car Spotlight

5 Reasons You Shouldn’t Ignore Your Check Engine Light

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

Categories:

Car Maintenance

10 Driving Safety Tips For The Average Driver

 10 Driving Safety Tips For The Average Driver

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

Categories:

Car Maintenance

Spring Cleaning For Your Car - Tips and Tricks

Spring Cleaning For Your Car - Tips and Tricks

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

Categories:

Car Maintenance

Halloween Safety Tips

  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

Categories:

Car Maintenance

Best Hiking Trails In Northern California

Best Hiking Trails In Northern California

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

Categories:

Car Maintenance

Best Directions Apps for Drivers

Best Directions Apps for Drivers

There are tons of mobile apps out there designed to help us make our lives more efficient, including apps for directions. Most of these direction apps are geared toward being hands-free, meaning they are safe for you to use while driving. In fact, many of these apps are equipped with warnings to remind you to put down your phone while driving and listen to the voice commands programmed into the mobile app.  Not only are there mobile apps, but there are several GPS devices that are designed solely for the purpose of driving directions. Mobile apps, however, can be used for various forms of transportation, not just driving such as walking and biking. Here are 5 of the most helpful, free direction apps:  Google Maps: This is the classic direction app and has proved its sufficiency time and time again. It has tons of voice commands too, really demonstrating its ability to be hands-free.  Waze: This app not only offers directions but has several bonus features, including u ... read more

Categories:

Car Maintenance

Spring Flowers: Minimize the Allergens in Your Car

Spring is almost here, which means we can say good-bye to chilly temperatures and say hello to green grass, sunny skies, and of course, that pesky pollen. Some of the outside elements can find their way into our vehicle, and we might see ourselves doing more sneezing instead of stepping on the gas. If you are looking to minimize the allergens in your vehicle and still enjoy the spring flowers, we recommend following these helpful tips:   Use the A/C system instead of rolling down the window. When you roll down the window to feel that breeze, you may be letting in several allergens. Wool seat covers and cloth floor mats are likely to trap dust mites, pollen, pet dander, and mold spores. If you can get rid of the wool seat covers and cloth floor mats, you can be saving yourself from being exposed to several allergens. Mold can cling to any wet towels, clothes, or leftover food you have in your vehicle. Remove any areas or items that may have excess moisture that can lead to ... read more

Categories:

Car Maintenance
12
A+ Japanese Auto Repair, Inc. is committed to ensuring effective communication and digital accessibility to all users. We are continually improving the user experience for everyone, and apply the relevant accessibility standards to achieve these goals. We welcome your feedback. Please call A+ Japanese Auto Repair, Inc. (650) 595-2277 if you have any issues in accessing any area of our website.