Posted on 6/1/2023
Photo by Laura C on Unsplash Sunny San Diego Spots for the Summer: Don't Forget Your Car Service! Summer is here, and there's no better place to soak up the sun than in San Diego. San Diego has something for everyone, from the beaches to the parks and everything in between. But before you hit the road, ensure your car is ready for the summer heat. Here are some tips to keep your car running smoothly and some suggestions for fun in the sun in San Diego. Auto Repair in San Diego: Keep Your Car in Tip-Top Shape Before you enjoy the beautiful San Diego weather, ensure your car is in good working order. Getting your car serviced regularly is essential so it can perform at its best. Some things to consider include getting an oil change, tire rotation, wheel alignment, and suspension check. Oil Change: Getting an oil change is crucial to the longevity of your vehic ... read more
Posted on 2/1/2023
Photo by Monica Sauro on Unsplash 5 Reasons To Add Preventative Maintenance To Your Calendar Last month, many of us took to drafting complicated schedules and random errands into our brand-new 2023 planners. As the month of New Year's Resolutions ended, you may have felt sluggish regarding your goals and appointments. This is totally normal for this time of year. Research shows that by February, nearly 80% of people have given up on their New Year's Resolutions. Today, I’m making the case to you to keep on keepin’ on, especially concerning car maintenance. In fact, scheduling your car maintenance directly in your planner, calendar, or phone can help you in many ways. Below, I will list the top five reasons to add preventative maintenance to your calendar. 1. Save Time & Money by Identifying Problems Early Have you ever gone into the shop just ... read more
Posted on 2/1/2020
Top Gifts for the Car Lover in Your Life When someone loves their car, often the most thoughtful gift you can give is… car accessories or a spa day! Car Detailing Gift Certificate to a nearby auto spa is a truly generous and thoughtful gift. There is nothing more satisfying than to climb into your ride and breathe deeply surrounded by a new car smell with gleaming leather and clean carpeting surrounding you. Your car lover will be so grateful when they are driving their sparkling clean vehicle. A Portable Jump box is an excellent safety device to make your loved one feel protected and well cared for. You can pick one up for well under $100, and they often have an emergency light and have a USB port on them to charge your cell phone if needed in a pinch. Car Covers are especially nice to use when preserving your paint from harsh weather and the suns penetrating UV rays. Showing your partner that you care deeply ab ... read more
Posted on 1/1/2020
We all hear it as car owners, don’t we? Come into the auto repair shop for minor service or major service. But what does it mean? For every car brand, there are unique nuances to what minor service and major service involves. For the most part, vehicles need check-ups and maintenance as their mileage increases. That is why you’ll hear numbers like 7500 miles, 15,000 miles, 30,000 miles, 45,000 miles, 60,000 miles, 75,000 miles, 90,000 miles, etc. But what do these numbers mean? Of course, you’ll want to consult the Owners Manual for your vehicle for specific information. But generally speaking, minor service is to be performed between every 10K - 15K miles. This minor service generally includes the following: Oil change Tire rotation Tire inspection Brake inspection Lubrication and inspection of chassis Fluid inspection Belt and hose inspection The goal for the minor service is to check on the vehicle’s health and make sure nothing appears to be ... read more
Posted on 12/20/2019
We are so lucky to live, work, and play in San Diego. Not only is it a beautiful place to live, but we don’t have to deal with yucky weather (for the most part). Even though our climate and surroundings lack the snow scene on a Christmas card, there are still some amazing San Diego locations to see the holiday lights. At Import Auto Specialists, we love celebrating the holidays. One of our favorite holiday activities is to hop in the car with the family and go see the Christmas lights. Here are our top five places to visit around San Diego: Starlight Circle is located in Santee, and it’s awesome! You’ll see a massive lights display coming from several homes located on East and West Glendon circles off Magnolia Avenue. The lights are usually on from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. nightly. If you’re lucky and extra nice, the kind residents may share some of their Christmas treats with ... read more
Posted on 9/3/2014
BMW’s maintenance schedule recommends that the spark plugs on this BMW M6 are to be changed every 37,000 miles. It is a pretty straight forward procedure. Remove the intake ducts, loosen the intake box, remove any breather hoses in the way, pull out ignition coils and that should give you enough access to get the plugs out and in. We will be replacing the plugs with the factory recommended NGK Laser Platinum plugs. NGK is a name that most people should know if they know a thing or two about cars. We are surprised to find NGK in this particular setup as BMW usually defaults to BOSCH plugs. Apparently they just didn’t make the cut for this year and model. Most standard 3 and 5 series BMWs have a factory scheduled spark plug change around 100,000 miles, but since this is a high output / high performance V10, it is better safe than sorry to change these on or before the recommended scheduled mileage. ... read more