Car engine bay with a silver engine cover and black intake tubing under blue-tinted lighting

Get your engine running like new again.

Today's engines do not need the old-style tune-up with points and carburetor adjustments. But they still wear parts that affect power, smoothness and fuel economy. A modern tune-up replaces those parts on schedule and cleans what has built up.


Depending on your mileage and manufacturer schedule, we replace spark plugs, the engine air filter and the cabin air filter, clean the throttle body and inspect ignition coils, the PCV valve, belts and hoses. Many Toyota and Honda engines call for spark plugs around 100,000 to 120,000 miles, and we follow the interval for your exact engine.


Rough idle, hesitation when you accelerate, hard starting, a drop in gas mileage or a check engine light for a misfire are all signs your engine needs attention. Sometimes the cause is a single bad coil or a dirty sensor, and we will test before we replace.



We will show you what we found and give you a clear plan, whether that is a full service now or just the parts that need it.

Why people love A+ Auto Repair
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Free vehicle pick-up and dropoff*

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Loaner vehicles available

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Free shuttle services**

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Earn 3% loyalty rewards

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Best-in-class 3 year / 36,000 mile warranty

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Family owned since 1997

Frequently asked questions

  • Do modern cars still need tune-ups?

    Not the old-style kind, but they still need spark plugs, filters and cleaning on schedule. Skipping them can cost you power, fuel economy and eventually a misfire.

  • How often should spark plugs be replaced?

     Most modern iridium plugs last 60,000 to 120,000 miles, depending on the engine. We follow the exact interval your manufacturer sets.

  • Will a tune-up improve my gas mileage?

    If worn plugs, a clogged air filter or a dirty throttle body are hurting efficiency, yes. A tune-up restores what your engine lost to wear, but it will not raise mileage above what the car was designed for.

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ASE-CERTIFIED TECHNICIANS

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AAA APPROVED

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3 YEAR / 36,000 MILE WARRANTY

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FAMILY OWNED SINCE 1997

REVIEWS

What your neighbors say

We're grateful to have over 2,000 positive reviews from the community.

A+ has been my auto repair shop for the last 5 years. They have an outstanding crew that are always very professional and thorough in assessing the car, identifying issues, and fixing them right the first time. If you have japanese car this is the #1 shop.

Rob M.

This is my first time going to A+ Japanese Auto Repair and I plan to return for other car repair/maintenance services. I appreciate the total transparency and honesty. The complementary ride to and from the shop is extremely helpful. As a bonus they have loyal rewards program and all work is backed by a warranty which they explain what it is. The staff is friendly and answer questions that you have.

Cathy K.

Took my 19 year old Tacoma to A+ Japanese Auto based on the reviews. I knew it needed a 150K service, and they suggested an inspection along with an oil change so they could determine what services were needed. The front office staff was exceptional from the time I made my appointment, arrived to the shop, and discussed the recommended repairs. The technicians took detailed photos shown me by my service provider. She explained all of the details regarding the repairs necessay and helped categorize the repairs based on safety. I was very impressed with this level of service, and highly recommend this business.

Adrienne F.

OUR STORY

Family owned since 1997

The founder of A+ came to the United States from Turkey and started out as a bicycle mechanic, then spent years as a head technician at a dealership. In 1997, in his mid-40s, he opened A+ Japanese Auto Repair in San Carlos. It was a family affair from the first day.

BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY

Ready for honest, expert auto repair?

Book online in under a minute, or call the shop (650) 946-1856. Free vehicle pickup and drop-off, shuttle service, and same-day repairs available.