The auto mechanics and the rest of our team at Import Auto Specialists in San Diego love to educate our customers, and that’s why we write this blog. Any way that our auto repair team can provide you useful information, that’s exactly what we want to do. That’s also why we perform digital inspections and take the time to listen to you thoroughly and what you have to say about your car. Import Auto Specialists in San Diego offers a 3 year/36,000 mile parts and labor warranty on most repairs. We also have a 3 Year/36,000 Mile NAPA AutoCare Peace of Mind Warranty on parts and labor. To make your experience with us even better, when you bring your vehicle in for any major service or repair, you’ll drive away with a vehicle that has received a complimentary full-service! When you are ready for top-quality auto care, give us a call at 858-576-7186, or schedule an appointment today. We hope you enjoy our blog!

Articles:

How To Use The Incoming Tax Money Months To Help Your Autorepair needs!

How To Use The Incoming Tax Money Months To Help Your Autorepair needs!

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash As we slide into February, there’s a lot on people’s minds: Omicron, Valentine’s Day, and we’re officially going into tax season now (February until the third Monday in April)   Traditionally speaking, this is a time when we start thinking less with our Want and more with our Wallet, as we hope that the blessing of a good return won’t quickly vanish under a heap of our debts. Some will seize the moment and do their taxes as early as possible, wanting to get the refund doing everything it can for them as soon as possible. Others will procrastinate and wait until April 18th to get their papers filed. Either way, the deadline comes for us all!   Why is Import A ... read more

Categories:

Blog

Top 5 Fuel Saving Tips

Top 5 Fuel Saving Tips

If you're like the average American, you may feel the pain of increased gas prices every time you fill up. To alleviate the hit your wallet may be taking, you should start thinking about gas-saving tips. Being aware of your driving habits and how they may be affecting your gas consumption is very important in this day and age. To help you save some money and gas, we've come up with these tips and hacks: Planning and Carpooling – You should plan ahead before getting into the car to avoid making more trips than necessary. Also, it's never a bad idea to carpool with friends and family as it can help keep the miles down and save the environment. Utilize Cruise Control – If you frequently drive on the highway, the cruise control feature can help keep your gas consumption down and also help you maintain a consistent speed.  Avoid Speeding – Speaking of speeding, you can simply avoid overconsuming gas by following the speed limit.  Avoid Hard Accele ... read more

Have You Got Your Driving Resolutions Covered?

Have You Got Your Driving Resolutions Covered?

Photo by frank mckenna on Unsplash   New Year, New You, right? Nothing makes the new year's celebration sweeter than having resolutions to strive for. But, as drivers and auto repair specialists, we tend to forget about the joy of goal-setting. In this article, we'll share three of our resolutions for this year, and hopefully, we can inspire you to do the same!   Express more gratitude toward our customers and readers:   Every customer, new or old, is a blessing in disguise. They are why our shop is alive, and we can't thank them enough for it. They are the reason we live our passions and get to provide value in the best way that we know. A humongous thank you to our blog readers because they help us sp ... read more

Categories:

Blog

Why Is There Smoke Coming from Underneath My Car's Hood?

Why Is There Smoke Coming from Underneath My Car's Hood?

Undeniably, when you notice smoke billowing from under your vehicle's hood, something is wrong with your engine. This scenario could indicate a complex problem that requires expert intervention from your mechanic or a simple issue you can resolve. Most people often mistake steam-like vapor to smoke emanating from the tailpipe. This type of vapor should not raise any alarm because it is due to condensation within the exhaust system. However, you should understand the type of smoke by comprehending its color and smell before you panic. Stop immediately and peep or continue driving to the nearest repair shop. Reasons Why a Car SmokesSpill onto the Car Engine A running car has its engine often hot. Besides, the exhaust also remains hot throughout the drive. A spill from fluids such as motor oil onto these hot areas can result in a cloud of smoke emanating from your hood. The main fluids that may leak from damaged seals or engine parts include the ... read more

Fantastic Gifts for Car Lovers

Fantastic Gifts for Car Lovers

Photo by Atul Pandey on Unsplash     Choosing the right gift for a car lover can be a difficult task. After all, buying a new engine isn’t optimal for everybody! However, the beauty of a gift is not encapsulated by its size or cost but by the joy it gives the receiver. As you’ll learn in this article, you don’t have to bring something grandiose to make your fellow car fan rejoice. It’s often the simple things that are most appreciated.    For The Vintage Collectors:   Sports Car Collector Sign - If your mate is a fan of sports cars, you should definitely check this coll ... read more

Categories:

Blog

Top 5 Holiday Driving Safety Tips

Top 5 Holiday Driving Safety Tips

The holidays are one of the jolliest times of the year, but it's the worst time to be on the road. While traffic jams and congestion are inevitable, we make it worth it by seeing family that we haven't seen in a while. To ensure you make it there in one piece, you need to keep safety in mind. This year, the travel numbers are expected to increase since many did not see family due to the pandemic last year. To stay protected, you will need to be on the lookout for various hazards, including harsh weather and negligent drivers.    Whether you're driving for work or vacation this time of year, please take extra precautions on the road. You can reduce the risk of an accident or injury by following these safe driving tips below: Make Sure Your Vehicle is Well Equipped for Long-Distance Travel: Your car should be in tip-top shape before trekking miles and miles. We recommend having a mechanic inspect your vehicle before departing. Your technician should thoroughly ex ... read more

Give Thanks for Our Cars

Give Thanks for Our Cars

Photo by Erik Mclean on Unsplash   Having a car is one of the most exciting parts of life. In this article, we’ll present to you (an amateurish) a lyrical poem that our team created that will express the love we hold for cars!      Oh, dear car. Thank you for everything. Thank you for not letting me down on the road. Thank you for protecting me from the cold and snow.  Where else would I be today?  Somewhere else, there I say For the places you took me, Forever changed my thoughts and ways.    Your opinion-less nature It helped me express what I truly feel Even though sometimes  My language geared toward you was ill.    You’re my best friend during travel ... read more

Categories:

Blog

5 Packing Tips for Your Thanksgiving Road Trip

5 Packing Tips for Your Thanksgiving Road Trip

With the Thanksgiving holiday coming up, most of us will hit the road and head to our families for a feast. As excited as you might be to eat some pie, you're probably not looking forward to packing for your travels. Due to the procrastination to load the car, most people tend to fill our luggage and car way more than they need. It takes patience and some skill to efficiently and effectively load your vehicle, and we are here to provide you with the tips to do so!  Tip #1: Clean Out Your Car Before you pack or leave for your trip, you must start by cleaning out your vehicle. This step involves removing everything from the cabin and trunk that you don't need for the course of the trip. That camping gear you might've had from the summer? You kids' sporting equipment? These items can all stay in your house as you probably won't need them for Thanksgiving. Tip #2: Get Started Early It's always wise to pack in advance. If you can get all your items packed aw ... read more

Why We Want You To Check Your Tires This Month

Why We Want You To Check Your Tires This Month

Image by Nikos Apelaths from Pixabay   October is one of the most exciting months of the year. It’s also one of the worst months if your vehicle is not in top shape. With kids running around everywhere during holidays such as Halloween and “spook’ trucks driving like crazy, even the most minor problems your car has can result in a catastrophe if you are not careful. And what better disaster prevention than checking your tires?   Good tire pressure is paramount to vehicle safety. Low tire pressure increases the chance of tire failure exponentially, and you don’t want this to happen if you live in a town (or a city) that is passionate about Halloween. Therefor ... read more

Categories:

Blog

What Your Nose Can Tell You About Your Car

What Your Nose Can Tell You About Your Car

Did you know that the different smells your vehicle gives off can help you recognize a problem with your car? Some scents may require urgent care, while others can signal minor problems. However, you should never ignore anything unusual that your vehicle may give off. Whenever you catch an odd odor in your car, we urge you to bring it to our shop to get a proper diagnosis. Here is a list of scents that could signal something wrong with your car.   Sweet/Maple Syrup: If your car smells sweet like pancakes or waffles, then we have bad news for you. A sweet-smelling scent usually points to a coolant leak from your radiator, cylinder head, or manifold gasket. You should have a professional check it out ASAP to prevent overheating. Gasoline: The smell of fuel can also indicate a fuel leak within your automobile. Your tech will usually trace the leak back to the fuel injector line or the fuel tank. Burning Carpet: An ashy carpet smell can be caused by failing brakes. This odor will ... read more

Import Auto Specialists is committed to ensuring effective communication and digital accessibility to all users. We are continually improving the user experience for everyone, and apply the relevant accessibility standards to achieve these goals. We welcome your feedback. Please call Import Auto Specialists (858) 576-7186 if you have any issues in accessing any area of our website.