San Diego Auto Repair

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

A vehicle's cooling system is vital to your engine's performance and stability. It helps draw excess heat away from engine components so that it can operate correctly. A faulty cooling system may bring down the entire engine system and cause it to overheat. You can avoid this problem by understanding your vehicle's cooling mechanism and what kind of maintenance it requires. Common Cooling System Problems A car's cooling system channels excess heat from the engine to the surrounding atmosphere. However, a malfunctioning system won't facilitate heat dissipation, leading to engine failure. Your car may overheat for a number of reasons that could go wrong with the cooling system. Damaged Radiator Hose – A crack in the radiator can cause coolant to flow out from anywhere within the system. Without cool coolant flowing into the engine, it will likely overheat. You can typically smell or see a coolant leak. Malfunctioning Thermostat – A damaged thermostat c ... read more

Photo by Zach Vessels on Unsplash Buying a New Car? Here’s What You Need To Know. It might seem like an overwhelming endeavor if the time has come for you to take the plunge and buy a new car. Getting a new car can also be an exciting time in your life as it signifies a new chapter in the making.    Our cars are more than tools that take us from point A to point B. They can help us make our lifestyles more fulfilling and allow us to express ourselves in a unique way. We have created a list of tips and tricks to get the best out of buying a new car. Our Best Tips When Buying A New Car Find your must-have requirements: What kind of lifestyle do you live? If you are the type of person that likes to go to the beach or hiking, then maybe the extra space of an SUV is the way to go. Find out what type of lifestyle you want to live and make a list of must-have items because ... read more

Regularly scheduled vehicle maintenance can save you huge costs and keep you safe on the road always. Understanding the indicators of an urgently needed servicing like wheel alignment is a key factor. Unfortunately, many don't know what signs to look for and when it's the appropriate time for wheel alignment. Other drivers may ignore even the obvious signs, which is dangerous. Proper wheel alignment is a critical maintenance criterion for your car's optimal operation and your safety on the road. Alignment is adjusting the angle at which your vehicle wheels contact the road surface by streamlining the suspension system. But how do you know it's time to bring your car in for wheel alignment? Warning Signs You Need Alignment Besides improving your safety and vehicle performance on the road, wheel alignment also extends your tire life, lowering maintenance costs. Fortunately, there are several signs or indicators that it's time to schedule wheel alignment. Here are t ... read more

Photo by Tim Stief on Unsplash Let’s Take a Moment To Appreciate The Weather And Our Car With spring come new beginnings and the potential for a fresh start. Some of us forget that our car is just as important to maintain as everything else in our lives. Spring is a new season, and with every seasonal change, your vehicle needs to have the proper care to prepare it for a warmer climate.    During the winter months, or if you have neglected your car since the holidays, your vehicle would have undergone some significant drainage. Your car is good at telling you when something is wrong, but it's not always good at telling you how to prevent damage. Preventive maintenance is the name of the game when it comes to getting you ... read more

Spring is nearly here in San Diego! While the temperature shifts are not drastic between each season, there are some changes you should make with your car. We thought it would be useful to lay out all the car maintenance items you should watch out for this season. Battery Performance - A typical car battery can last anywhere between 3-5 months depending on the quality, the environment it runs in, how well you take care of it, etc. Feel free to drop by our auto repair shop for a battery test. This will allow you to gauge how long before you need to replace it. Oil Level & Quality -  As we all know, motor oil is the most important item for engine performance. Before the summertime begins, it is great to check to see your oil level and condition. Otherwise, it doesn't hurt to come in for an oil change.  Tire Condition -  There are two things that you should check regularly when it comes to your vehicle's tires: pressure and tread depth. To ensure they wear ... read more

  Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash Many people like to make assumptions based on trends and current statistics when it comes to the future. We can never make guaranteed predictions about the future, but we can engage in the conversation. Most of us struggle to know all the mechanics that make our vehicles function when it comes to our cars. That is where auto technicians come into play. The Auto Repair Industry has been known as a lucrative business, but does that assumption still hold today?   There are trends in the Auto Repair Industry that can give us a better insight into what is going on. In recent years, the technological advancements we have made in vehicles have made it harder for local Auto Repair shops to keep up with the knowledge and tools to repair advanced vehicles such as electric or hydrogen vehicles.    One trend that is majorly impacti ... read more

While most people often overlook their car's windshield wiper blades, they are indeed a vital component when it comes to driving safely—they allow drivers from all around the world to see clearly under a wide variety of unfavorable conditions and circumstances. Since wipers are made of rubber, they degrade rather quickly, especially with extensive use. Due to their nature, you generally need to replace windshield wiper blades every six to twelve months for best performance.   How Do I Know My Windshield Wipers Need To Be Replaced? Below are some tell-tale signs that your wiper blades need attention: When the wipers are in use, they make loud squealing or squeaking noises. Not only is this a sign of bad windshield wipers, but it can be incredibly annoying and distracting to deal with when driving. When wipers are in poor condition, they will cause streaks and smear water with each swipe. As a result, it can worsen your visibility instead of improving it. An overall ... read more