San Carlos Auto Repair

When it comes to replacing your car’s exhaust system, you’re often faced with two choices: Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts or aftermarket alternatives. Both options have their pros and cons, but which one is the best choice for your vehicle? In this blog, we’ll compare OEM and aftermarket exhaust systems to help you make an informed decision. What Is an OEM Exhaust System? OEM parts are made by the vehicle’s manufacturer or a contracted supplier. These exhaust systems are designed to match your car’s original specifications, ensuring a perfect fit and maintaining the vehicle’s performance as it was intended. Choosing an OEM exhaust guarantees compatibility and a hassle-free installation. What Is an Aftermarket Exhaust System? Aftermarket exhaust systems are produced by third-party manufacturers. These parts may be designed to improve your vehicle’s performance, sound, or even fuel efficiency. Aftermarket systems often come with ... read more

Car alignments are one of the most misunderstood aspects of vehicle maintenance. Many drivers overlook their importance, while others fall prey to myths that can end up costing them more in the long run. Let’s set the record straight and debunk some of the most common car alignment myths. Myth 1: If the Car Drives Straight, the Alignment is Fine While it may seem like your car is aligned properly if it drives straight, this isn’t always the case. Alignment issues can exist even when the car appears to drive normally. Misalignment affects tire wear, fuel efficiency, and the overall safety of your vehicle. Don’t wait until your car starts pulling to one side—regular alignment checks are essential for maintaining performance and tire health. You can explore more about our tire services here. Myth 2: Alignments Are Only Necessary After a Collision It’s a common misconception that alignments are only r ... 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

The Most Common Ailments of an Infiniti: What You Need to Know Infiniti vehicles are known for their luxurious features and top-notch performance. However, like any car, they are not immune to wear and tear. If you own an Infiniti or are considering buying one, it is important to be aware of the most common ailments that these cars experience. In this article, we will discuss the top issues that Infiniti owners should look out for and how to address them. Oil Leaks Oil leaks are one of the most common problems that Infiniti owners face. This is particularly true for older models that have high mileage. Oil leaks can occur from various points in the engine, including the valve cover gasket, oil pan gasket, and camshaft seal. If left unchecked, oil leaks can cause damage to the engine and result in costly repairs. Timing Chain Issues Another common issue that Infiniti owners experience is timing chain problems. The timing chain is responsible for synchronizing the movement of the en ... 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

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

  Do you own a Lexus? If so, what are you doing to maintain it? Do you pay attention to the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance schedule, or do you wait for your Lexus to tell you it’s in trouble?   Some cars and vehicles are so reliable and smooth that we forget they are a complex system of moving parts capable of breaking down at the slightest provocation. Sooner or later, your Lexus will give you the dreaded dashboard signal, to let you know that the time has come to get it serviced.    A yellow light on the dash doesn’t need to be a scary thing. While an urgent blinking light does indicate a desperate problem, your Lexus also knows to flag you down for repair at specific intervals with a gentle light. This is not meant to drive you into a dealership… the light is just a reminder that you need to schedule different services to safely maintain your Lexus.   When you bring your vehicle to A+ Japanese Auto Repair, a prepared Se ... read more