San Carlos Auto Repair

Oil changes and more in San Carlos.  For many years, the conventional wisdom has been to change your car's oil every 3,000 miles. This advice has been passed down through generations of drivers. But is this maintenance schedule still relevant today? No, you do not always need to change your oil every 3,000 miles. Advances in engine technology and oil formulations have extended oil change intervals for many vehicles to 5,000, 7,500, or even 10,000 miles. In this blog, we’ll debunk the 3,000-mile myth, explore modern oil change intervals, and provide tips for maintaining your vehicle’s health. If you're interested in scheduling an appointment with us, please visit our schedule page. The Origin of the 3,000-Mile Rule The 3,000-mile oil change rule originated in the mid-20th century when engines and oil formulations were less advanced. Frequent oil changes were necessary to keep engines running smoothly and to prevent buildup of sludge and contaminants. Howeve ... 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

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

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

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

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

When NBC News surveyed Americans about their car maintenance habits in 2016, only 26 percent of drivers stated they were "confident" about how to change their car oil. While 14.9 percent was "somewhat confident," 23.1 percent was "not very confident," and a whopping 36 percent reported feeling "clueless." For these confused drivers, there's bad news: overlooking an oil change long-term can do some serious damage to one's car. Why Changing Engine Oil Is Important Most people are familiar with the importance of changing the oil in their car, but many don't understand exactly why it is so important. Because cars have so many moving parts, they can rub together and result in friction and heat. Oil is necessary to lubricate the engine and reduce the amount of heat it produces, preventing overheating and engine damage. However, because engine oil is subjected to such high levels of heat, it can break down over time and become less efficie ... read more