San Carlos Auto Repair

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

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

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

COVID-19 - The New Normal - A+ Japanese Auto Repair in San Carlos   If you need auto repair in the San Carlos area, here is what we have changed:   * Free Pick-Up & Delivery with sanitization on each vehicle - we offer free vehicle pick up and delivery from your home or work. If you need to use one of loaner cars while we are working with your vehicle, let us know that too!   * "No-Touch" - Client Drop-Off / Pick Up Service - you can also bring the vehicle down to our shop at 780 Industrial Road, San Carlos CA 94070. Utilize our "no-touch" service where your keys and all of your interactions handled at a safe distance or fully electronically. Click here to watch the video on how to do t ... read more

Your tires are the only thing that maintains contact with the road. As you can imagine, they are essential to your safety on the road as you drive through San Carlos. Some tires require specific makes and models, and each tire has a different price and purpose. No tire is equal. The team at A+ Japanese Auto Repair is here to help you understand your tires.    Here are five things that every car owners need to know about tires:    Price: Usually, with tires, you get what you pay for. There are many suppliers out there that offer excellent tires at an affordable price. If the price of a tire seems too good to be true, don’t hesitate to ask our team. We can also point you in the right direction if you have any questions about tires.  Different Cars: When you purchase your car, it will come with a specified set of tires designed for your vehicle’s brakes, smooth handling, or steering response. If you decide to replace your tires with new ones, you wil ... read more

There are several fluids running through your vehicle’s engine. Each fluid plays an important role in keeping your vehicle running safely and smoothly. Your fluids will prevent both engine wear and damage, along with saving you both time and money in the long run. Here are 7 fluids that need to be properly maintained:  Your engine needs oil to keep the moving parts in your engine lubricated.  Radiator fluid keeps your engine from overheating.  Transmission fluid keeps your transmission properly lubricated, preventing expensive issues in the long-run.  Your power steering system allows you to control your vehicle’s wheels, and power steering fluid keeps this system performing in tip-top shape.  Your brake fluid adds power to your brake system to make sure you can safely stop and not run into any vehicles.  When the weather starts getting warmer, you will want to make sure that you have enough coolant. This way, your air conditioning system ... read more

In cold weather conditions, your car has to work much harder. It takes much longer for your engine to reach fuel-efficient temperature, especially if you are making several short trips. Heated seats, window defrosters, and heater fans use additional power as well, adding to winter just not being a fuel-efficient season. Your battery is working harder too -- your battery’s performance decreases in cold weather, so it is especially hard for your alternator keep your battery charged.  With all this being said, there are several tips and tricks you can use to maximize your car’s fuel economy in the winter:  If you can, park your car in a warmer place, so you can increase the initial temperature of your cabin and engine.  Combine trips so you are driving less often with a cold engine.  Don’t let your car idle more than 30 seconds to warm it up. Your engine actually warms up faster while you drive.  Minimize your use of seat warmers or defroste ... read more

The holidays are one of the busiest times of the year. The team at A+ Japanese Auto Repair are here to make sure you stay safe during the holidays, especially with holiday traffic. The roads will be absolutely packed, which is why the team at A+ Japanese Auto Repair has put together a few tips and tricks to keep you safe on the road during holiday traffic:  91% of holiday travel will be completed by personal vehicles, which means the roads will be packed with drivers frantically getting to their destination. It is important to be mindful of this.  Plan your route ahead of time. Many apps allow you to input your address ahead of time to see which routes are the safest and fastest. You can even input your desired arrival time, and these apps will tell you when to leave to make it there on time. Decide when you want to leave. Leaving a few days before Christmas can save you a headache and allow you to spend much-needed time with your loved ones.  Prepare for the long li ... read more

5 Things You Must Check Before You Take A Road Trip (Includes Photos) Before embarking on a road trip in your car, there are 5 things you must check on your car. The items below won’t take more than 10 minutes and it could save you from a breakdown and a ruined trip! Check Lights, Fluids, and Tire Pressures - I am a mechanic by trade at A+ Japanese Auto Repair in San Carlos, CA https://aplusjapaneseautorepair.com/ and more often than not, I find cars that have issues with their lights, fluids, or tire pressures. Below I will walk you through the steps of checking your lights, fluids, and tire pressures. Lights - When checking your vehicle’s lights, I am referring to the exterior lights. Start by have someone sit in the car and start it. One at a time have them push the brake pedal (check the brake lights), turn on the blinkers (check in front an ... read more