San Diego Auto Repair

Photo by Mark Boss on Unsplash Winterizing Your Car And Why It Matters Winter is coming, and if you live in California, it's not necessarily the cold that should worry you…it's the moisture! The weather can change quickly here, so it's essential to take precautions to ensure your car lasts through the months ahead. Here are a few ways to winterize your vehicle and ensure it gets you through any unexpected temperature changes. A little prep can go a long way in helping your car last. Winterizing your car can be extremely helpful in preventing several problems. However, it looks different here in San Diego than in Denver or Cincinnati. No, you probably won’t need snow tires (unless you’re traveling), but you do still need to run an assessment of your vehicle. Winterization can save money and help prevent accidents, emergency repairs, and other issues that may ... read more

If you've ever seen a car driving down the street with blue or black smoke pouring out of the exhaust pipe, you may have wondered what was wrong with it. In most cases, this type of smoke indicates that there is something wrong with the engine. Today, we're going to take a look at some of the most common causes of colored exhaust smoke and what they mean for your car. Most Common Causes of Colored Exhaust Smoke One of the most common causes of blue smoke is a leaking engine oil seal. When this happens, oil can enter the combustion chamber and be burned along with the gasoline. This will cause the smoke to be blue in color. In some cases, it can also lead to a loss of power and decreased fuel economy. Another common cause of colored exhaust smoke is a problem with the piston rings. Piston rings are responsible for sealing the space between the piston and the cylinder wall. If they are worn or damaged, they can allow oil and other fluids to enter the combustion chamber and be ... read more

Photo by Osman Rana on Unsplash Have you ever been driving and see someone else driving aggressively? It can be scary, especially for new drivers. As the holidays approach, we may need to all take a minute and figure out how to deal with the monster inside of all of us–that is, road rage.   Road rage comes in many forms, including unsafe lane changes, tailgating, honking horns, swerving into other lanes of traffic, and more. We sometimes get frustrated when driving on the road—it is one of the most frustrating aspects of modern life! However, it's important to remember that some people take their frustration to another level by lashing out at other drivers or even assaulting them physically. It's also important to remember that road rage drivers can come from any corner on any given day; they may even be someone you know!  Know The Things That Bug You Th ... read more

When it is hot outside, the last thing you want to do is hop in your car with warm air blasting on your face. For San Diego drivers, most people tend to rely on their vehicle’s air conditioning system most of the year. They turn to the team at Import Auto Specialists Autoworks for all their auto air conditioning needs. Warm air is a common A/C problem – let’s discuss some of the reasons why your car ride may be hot. Bad Compressor  The compressor is a component that takes high pressures to compress the chemical refrigerant to make cool air. When you haven’t run your air conditioning in a while, such as in the winter month, it can stop working from being inactive. A malfunctioning compressor will cause warm air to blow out your vents. Faulty Condenser  When the compressor can successfully pressurize the refrigerant, it pushes the refrigerant into the condenser where it transforms from a gas to liquid form. Unfortunately, the condenser is prone to ge ... read more

Photo by Obi on Unsplash Labor Day Reflections And Why You Should Let Your Car Rest As you celebrate the holiday this year, why not consider letting your car rest by getting auto repair work done that you’ve been putting off? It’s a great way to honor the legacy of those hard-working Americans because, let’s face it, we all need a break sometimes!   Did you know it is recommended that older automobiles have their transmission fluid checked every 15,000 miles? Did you know it is recommended that older automobiles have their transmission fluid checked every 15,000 miles? Transmission fluid is the lifeblood of your car's transmission. In fact, it is not something to be taken lightly as it allows for smooth gear changes and prevents overheating. For this reason, regular checks are necessary to ensure proper performance and overall safety in your vehicle. Th ... read more

The summertime is when most people prefer to go out and about with friends and family. With more drivers on the road, accidents become a greater threat. Whether you are making short commutes or long road trips, it is important that you are operating a safe car. Below are the top most common summer driving hazards that you should be wary of: Weather - The summer weather can be just as unpredictable as any other season, so make sure you check the weather forecast periodically. Your vehicle should be equipped to handle extreme thunderstorms, blistering heat, and anything in between. Drunk Drivers - Summer is a time of many celebrations. It is a given that you should never drink and drive. But be on the lookout to report any drunk drivers on the road. Heat - Children, pets, and even some of your car parts are sensitive to the heat. Make sure you take the extra measures to keep your vehicle cool. This includes making sure the air conditioning in your car works. Furthermore, park away fro ... read more

The Most Reliable Brands In The World (And Why It Doesn’t Matter Who’s First)    Photo by Dylan McLeod on Unsplash No one you’ll ever meet will say they want an unreliable car. Most people who say they want “reliability” mean they want a car that won’t break down on them, doesn’t need too many repairs too often and get them to where they need to go with no stress. One way or another, reliability is a huge factor when buying a new car—and many people would instead buy from brands that are known as reliable rather than ones with questionable reputations.    However, we're here to tell you that it doesn't matter who comes first when it comes to this subject: all cars have ... read more

Warning lights alert you to potential problems with your vehicle. They come in many shapes and sizes. Here's what they look like, what they mean, and what to do. #1. Check Engine Light What Does It Look Like? The check engine light is a small, round yellow or orange light that flashes on your dashboard when there's something wrong with your car. What Does It Mean? If the check engine light comes on, you should visit a mechanic as soon as possible. There could be a problem with your emission system that could cause problems. What To Do? Pull over immediately and turn off the ignition until everything has cooled down. Then call a mechanic and make an appointment ASAP. #2. ABS Warning What Does It Look Like? This is a yellow light with a red ring around it. It is either on or flashing. What Does It Mean? There is fault detection with the anti-lock brake system (ABS). What To Do? Check for fault codes by pressing the 'Check Engine' or 'Malfunction Indicato ... read more

When you drive your car on a daily basis, you know how it drives and the sounds that it can make. Whenever it makes weird noises, it could mean that something is wrong with your vehicle. While it may be tempting to look for where the sound is coming from, getting professional help is your best bet at locating AND fixing the problem.  At Import Auto Specialists, our technicians are equipped to handle any challenge. In this blog, we will discuss 5 common vehicle noises and what they could mean. Engine Chirping A chirp or squeal coming from under the hood when accelerating is a sign of an engine problem. Usually, it is probably the belt making the noise, indicating that it is worn. A visit to our auto repair shop can confirm whether that holds true. Snapping or Popping When you make turns with your vehicle, it should be quiet. If you notice snapping or popping when turning left and right, it means your car’s constant velocity (CV) joints are the problem. You should take car ... read more

Photo by Wade Lambert on Unsplash  Car Movies That’ll Both Make You Nostalgic and Cheer You Up Summer is here, and many of us are looking for fun things to do that will be both exciting and new. While people are out planning vacations, road trips, and other fun activities, some people rather stay home and watch movies. If this is you, there are some great recommendations we made just for you. These movies are the best car movies ever made and a great way to cheer up an otherwise dull summer day.  Our Best Car Movie Recommendations Rush (2013) It is easy to love a movie about Formula 1 racing, and this movie has everything you could ever want for a feel-good car movie. We recommend you watch this as F1 cars depicted from that era are cool, dangerous, and exciting to watch.    Ford vs. Ferrari This movie takes you into the epic story of Carroll Shelby ... read more