San Diego Auto Repair

The cooling system is an essential component of your vehicle. It keeps liquid antifreeze flowing through the system, removing extra heat from your engine, helping to keep the engine running at an efficient operating temperature, and getting the engine to the right temperature as quickly as it can after you start your car. Keeping the cooling system in good order is vital to your vehicle running optimally, so it's important that it be properly maintained. At certain intervals, you'll need to take your car in for a cooling system flush. Flushing your cooling system: Removes scale deposits and rust. Scale deposits and rust can accumulate in a radiator over time. Flushing helps to take out these deposits, washing it out with the old antifreeze. Removing buildups keeps your vehicle running well, as they can often lead to overheating and damage to your radiator.   Removes contaminants. when you flush your system, technicians drain your system of the old antifreeze, flushing ... read more

Photo by Anastase Maragos on Unsplash   Welcome to the May blog for Import Auto Specialists! We hope that April was kind to you and your family and that immunizations are scheduled if not yet done. Things are beginning to reopen everywhere, and we hope everyone stays just ahead of the virus and keeps wearing those masks until they hear otherwise from the government!   We’re deep in Spring, and while May showers aren’t guaranteed, we can bet that Summer is just around the corner. The Summer heat can be brutal on your car and you. Being in a space with glass windows in the sun is solar cooking, so do your best to minimize the Summer’s traumatic heat when it arrives. Here are some tips for how to handle ... read more

Audi is a well-engineered vehicle that has systems to alert you when problems arise. However, some problems may not be obvious and require further investigation. One such problem is an oil leak. Oil leaks may have far-reaching consequences on the engine's life and may compromise your safety on the road. Here are signs that your Audi has an oil leak. There is the Smell of Burning Oil The valve covers may get cracked due to overheating or aging. If they do, the oil may leak from the valve to other parts of the engine, such as the cylinder head, exhaust pipes, and fuel intake. These three parts become very hot, giving off a burning smell when the oil on their surfaces burns. The Oil Warning Comes On Audi has a reporting system that shows when you are low on oil. An engine oil light, which is located just below the steering wheel, comes on. Oil levels may go down due to a leak or not changing oil as often as you should. Whichever the case, take you ... read more

Brake fluid is a hydraulic fluid that transfers the pressure of your foot on the brake pedal to the brake pads on your wheels. It's designed to safeguard metals, including calipers and wheel cylinders. Additionally, it offers protection against corrosion as water enters the system. A brake fluid flush takes the old and dirty brake fluid out of your car system and replaces it with clean and fresh brake fluid. In 2019, Aljazeera reported that Japan's Nissan Motor Co Ltd recalled about 394,025 cars with faulty brake systems that could cause fires because of brake fluid leaks. Replacing brake fluid timings vary depending on the type of car and the manufacturer's recommendation. Mentioned are some of the signs that should signal you to replace your vehicle's brake fluid. Pedal Problems Grinding sound under braking and brake light alert on the dashboard are some of the indicators that your car's pedal system isn't working. You may blame yo ... read more

Welcome to Import’s April blog.  When you first get into a new car, there’s the adjustment period where you learn what you can about the bells and whistles. Sooner or later, we want to get the most out of our sound system, for great tunes during our commutes. With the fun of experimentation, we sometimes experience the disappointment of a wrong turn that leaves us worse off than when we began. There’s also the other factor to consider: the danger of changing your car stereo system from the factory defaults. It isn’t always an improvement, and can lead to heartache with your electrical system. At Import Auto, we have a few suggestions on what to do to get the most out of your car’s factory-embedded music system (without putting your sound system in grave danger). Leave things as they are. Try to leave the bass and treble settings alone where possible, because those presets were designed to reach the entire vehicle evenly. Adjusting them may shift th ... read more

For a kid in need of a roller coaster ride, a speed bump can be a thrill! For the rest of us, unfortunately, it can mean a lot of trouble. When you're driving down a long residential street, keep an eye out for those bumps in the road and if you see one, be sure to slow down or you might find that one little speed bump can do a lot more damage to your car than you expect! Shock and Oww First to get damaged: shock absorbers. They're meant to absorb some of the little bumps you're bound to come across on the road. They're the reason why a car ride feels so smooth that it could lull a baby to sleep. But they can only take so much. They aren't built to absorb that much energy that quickly. If it's forced on them, they can get bent out of shape or leak hydraulic fluid. Eventually, they'll stop working, which could leave you without any control over your car. Steer Clear of That Speed Bump! With the shock absorbers unable to do their job, your steering is ne ... read more

Lexus ranks among the top luxury cars on the planet. If you own one, you must understand by now how reputed the vehicle is for delivering high performance on the track for years. However, your car's longevity and performance depend on how well you take care of your beloved Lexus. If you wish to enjoy the vehicle's extended functional lifespan, here are practical tips to help you. Adhere to Factory Scheduled Maintenance Your manufacturer manual details the vehicle's 30/60/90K maintenance schedule. It is critical to take your Lexus whenever you attain each milestone. Trying to stretch the interval further only leads to more car problems, which comes back to haunt you financially in the future. These are preventative maintenance service that ensures the car is running smoothly. Usually, 30/60/90K maintenance entails inspections of the car's emission system, brakes, filters, and visual inspection of several systems and components. Check Car Fluids and Tire Pressure Insp ... read more

Welcome to March, and the first moments of Spring!  If you’re itching to get outside, there are so many adventures that you and your family can enjoy. That is why this month, we are highlighting some of the best outdoor events in the San Diego area. Four things to do around San Diego during March: Do you love surrounding yourself with flowers? If flowers make your heart melt, consider visiting the Flower Fields of Carlsbad. This garden is impressive and beautiful in its size and colors. But, be sure to bring your allergy medications for when you start sneezing or experience itchy eyes.  Speaking of gardens, the San Diego Botanic Garden is an excellent destination for people of all ages. With four miles of garden trails and vistas, you, the kids, the grandparents, and extended family can spend some quality time together among flowering trees and plants. Again, make sure you wear a mask and pack extra allergy meds, just in case.  During non-pandemic circumstance ... read more

While the Porsche is a beautiful vehicle, there are common issues that it can have. If you plan to buy one, you will want to know what those issues are so you can watch for them. It's also a good idea to have a repair shop on your speed dial for when things do pop up. Here are some of the issues this type of vehicle often has. Cooling Problems The pipe sealing around the coolant distribution system in the Porsche can cause leaks. You may not see the leaks on your garage floor, either, because it might puddle on the engine between the cylinders. You will want the cooling system checked when you get regular maintenance to ward something worse off. Also watch for wet carpet in the trunk, which could be a sign of a leak. Engine Issues If you see smoke coming from your engine, it's really never a good sign. If you overfill the oil, which can happen if you don't use an experienced Porsche technician, the engine might need a total rebuild. The ... read more

Having the proper tires on your car ensures your safety, the safety of your passengers, and other drivers. Tire maintenance includes keeping them inflated to their correct pressure, keeping them aligned, and making sure they maintain a tread pattern. Why Is Tire Tread Important? Tire tread is important for helping you maintain control of your car, especially during unfavorable weather conditions. For most states, the minimum tire tread depth is 2/32 of an inch. When your tire's depth falls below this point, it's time to replace them. What Causes Excessive Wear and Tear on Your Tires? The different factors that cause wear and tear on your tires include: Improper tire inflation Misaligned tires Driving patterns Everyone drives differently and different driving pattern can quickly wear your tires, including: Hard braking Fast acceleration Driving at fast speeds Spinning your tires What Are the Different Types of Tire Wear? Cupping The irregular up and ... read more