San Diego Auto Repair

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

Welcome to February! We’ve got the Super Bowl in one week and Valentine‘s Day in two weeks. That’s two jam-packed weekends to get through.  As we make our plans for Valentine’s day, we’ve got love and affection on our minds. And the recurring theme is the neglectful car owner who realizes too late they want the car they own.  Over time, you may have become fickle with the love you’ve shown your car. You may have cut corners and refused to give your vehicle the care it needs to survive. Here are some steps to loving your car back to life! Inspection - the first step to solving any problem is identifying it. An assessment helps determine what life remains in your vehicle and what work you will need to do if you intend to maintain the car. If your vehicle is too far gone to come back, or if the cost will exceed getting a new car, this is where you tend to find out. Fluid exchange - if there’s life le ... read more

Pull your vehicle to the side of the road making sure you're completely out of the path of oncoming traffic. Once you're sure it's safe, exit your vehicle and find the damaged tire. Turn On Hazard Lights - tell oncoming traffic and roadside safety officials that your vehicle is disabled. Set Parking Brakes - safety precaution to make sure your car is steady during the process. Wheel Wedges - keep your car from rolling while you're on the ground changing a tire. No wheel wedges available? Substitute a sturdy board or rock. Tools - lug wrench, jack, inflated spare tire. Step-by-Step Take off hubcaps or wheel coverings. Prepare to remove the tire by loosening the lug nuts. (The lug nuts will be completely removed in a later step.) Never place any part of your body directly underneath the car. Place the jack underneath your car. Most vehicles have a pre-installe ... read more

Nothing speaks luxury on the road like a Land Rover. They are popular in many countries owing to their amazing off-road capabilities. People love them for their ease of maintenance, safety and also the cool appeal. They make any driver feel powerful, and he enjoys states and admires while on the road. Its body's flexibility further makes it great for people who enjoy adventures in the mountains and other places where the roads might not be that great. Despite their versatility and coolness, Land Rovers like other vehicles are also prone to car troubles and thus require repairs to maintain smooth-riding experiences. The vehicle encounters common issues that require repairs, and this is great for Land Rover drivers to know and make the intending buyers knowledgeable. Oil Leaks Land Roves are prone to constant oil leak troubles. The problem is most common in the cooler lines and valve cover gaskets. The repairs should be completed by qualified ASE mechanics that understand the car ... read more

This December, some new drivers may wake up Christmas morning to find keys to a car in their stocking. As they prepare to move out of the home and on to college, parents are buying their kids used cars, more and more, as their ‘starter’ car.    If you’ve been thinking of a car to pair with your new driver, U.S. News and World Report has done a very comprehensive look at the best used cars for new drivers. Here’s a look at what they found out!   The features most parents want their kids’ first car to have are very safety-focused:   Driver Assistance features - forward collision warning automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, and teen driver controls (with notifications for parents) Strong predicted reliability ratings Excellent crash test scores   The things that we most important to avoid were the unsafe elements:   Sports cars - showy cars that go to drivers’ heads High seating cap ... read more

Your transmission is blown. Those four words terrify most car owners, and for good reason. The transmission is the life support system of your car that needs to be well maintained to live a healthy and happy life. Fortunately, transmission repairs don't happen without warning, and if you catch the signs early, the repairs are much less costly. So, what are some of the telltale signs? 1. Unresponsive and Gear Slipping. If your vehicle hesitates, or simply refuses to shift, there's a good chance something is wrong with your transmission. It may feel stuttery, or there could even be a delay between gear shifts. Not only is this alarming, especially if you're on the highway, but it's also very dangerous. 2. Smells and sounds. It's unlikely that your transmission is going to fail overnight. Luckily for you, there are plenty of warning signs. Smell and sound are two of them. If your car hums while you idle, chances are somet ... read more

If you do a lot of driving in the city, as Uber/Lyft drivers and pizza delivery drivers do, you know more than a few handy mobile applications to help you get the job done. We’re looking at the top 5 free driving apps, available both on Android phones and iPhones! 5. Parkopedia -  It’s great to have a program to get you where you need to be, but what do you do when you arrive and there’s no parking? Parkopedia shows you the nearest available parking. 4. GasBuddy - Ever held off on getting gas thinking that your usual spot would be the lowest, and then feel the sting of seeing you could have had your gas cheaper where you were, GasBuddy is for you, letting you know what the lowest gas is between destinations. 3. Roadtrippers -  If you’re doing any traveling over the holidays, Roadtrippers is a great free app for calculating the cost of your travel and the pit stops and detours you’ll need to make along the way. 2. GoogleMaps - There’s so ... read more

Your vehicle runs on many electrical components, and the spark plugs have the important job of sparking electricity to start the engine. As with all other vehicle parts, your spark plugs will not last forever and will start to wear down over time. When the spark plugs are very worn down, you will notice a lack in overall engine performance.  When it comes to your Subaru, keeping it running at its best is critical to protect your investment and to have a reliable ar on the road. After years of driving your Subaru, you may find that the spark plugs need to be replaced. This is typically recommended during a tune-up service or a major service such as a 30,000, 60,000, or 90,000 mile service. Here at Import Auto Specialists, we are the Subaru experts here in San Diego, CA and can assist with all of your vehicle's service needs.  Your spark plugs may need to be replaced if you notice one or more of the following symptoms:  Check engine light has turned on Trouble star ... read more

It may be easier to leave your car parked on the street rather than in the garage, especially if you're in a rush. However, parking inside the garage or under a covered port can have some significant benefits that outweigh the additional time. As the weather cools down, it's time to put some extra consideration on where your vehicle is stored. Not only does cold weather subject your vehicle to damage, but environmental elements can be harmful as well. A garage may feel like a thing from the past, but it's always the best place to park. Below are three benefits to parking in a secured garage.  Protection from the elements. This is an obvious benefit because extreme weather can be your vehicle's worst enemy while it's parked. The sun's UV rays can also damage the paint and wreak havoc on the battery. Rainy weather can attract dirt and pollution that can eat away the paint and attract rust. Frigid San Diego winters can also leave e ... read more