Vehicle Warranties

If you own a vehicle with a warranty, beware! Many dealers and manufacturers suggest that you need to get your maintenance services at a dealership in order to keep your warranty. That simply isn’t true! You can have your vehicle serviced at your trusted, local service center without affecting your warranty. A federal law, called the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, prohibits a manufacturer from voiding your warranty just because you got parts or services from a non-dealer. In fact, a manufacturer can’t require you to use their brand of oil filters, lubricant, or any other part in order to maintain your warranty protection. This protection is true for aftermarket extended warranties purchased on new or used vehicles. This protection also applies to leased vehicles. There are similar laws in Canada as well.

If a manufacturer can prove that the replacement parts or service lead to a vehicle failure, they can void a portion of the warranty. Of course, A+ Japanese Auto Repair uses quality parts and fluids that meet or exceed manufacturers’ specifications. A lot of people do not know that we subscribe to data services that tell us exactly which parts and fluids meet manufacturers’ specifications. These services are updated constantly so that we always knows what you need for your car. You can be assured that your vehicle will receive high quality replacement parts that’ll keep you safely on the road.

Proper maintenance is so important to safety. It can also prevent costly repairs and save you money over the long haul. Just because you don’t have to go to a dealer to get your maintenance service performed doesn’t mean that you don’t need to have it done at all. In fact, some protections from your warranty require that scheduled maintenance be performed. If you miss having important work done, you may lose some warranty coverage. Refer to your owners’ manual and vehicle warranty for more details. And keep good records of the work you’ve had done.

The protection you receive under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act can save you hundreds of dollars each year.

A+ Japanese Auto Repair serves the cities of San Carlos, Belmont, Redwood City, Redwood Shores, Foster City, San Mateo and more. We specialize on Honda Auto Repair, Acura Auto Repair, Toyota Auto Repair, Lexus Auto Repair, Nissan Auto Repair, Infiniti Auto Repair, Subaru Auto Repair, Mitsubishi Auto Repair, Mazda Auto Repair, Scion Auto Repair, and Hybrid Auto Repair.

Getting Your Car Serviced in the Real World

We get a lot of questions about servicing your car. One that we get asked the most is: Do you have to take your car to the nearest dealer for service and repair? We’ve all asked ourselves that at one time or another. Of course, any new car dealer would like to have your service business, but there are a lot of reasons to turn to the automotive aftermarket for routine maintenance services as well as repairs.

First, let’s get some terms straight. New car dealers and manufacturers are referred to as Original Equipment – or OE providers. Everybody else is in the automotive Aftermarket. That includes auto parts stores, quick lubes, tire and service, and repair centers.

It’s important to know how the automotive industry works. Most car manufacturers don’t actually make their own parts and none of them make all of the parts they use. Instead, there are over 5,000 manufacturers that make the parts used to build new cars as well as to repair used cars.

We get a little steamed when a new car dealer pushes the myth that you need to go to them to get “genuine parts”. The fact is that your independent service center (A+ Japanese Auto Repair) can install the exact same original equipment parts from the same parts manufacturer that supplies the dealer.

One of the advantages of the aftermarket is that they’re free to innovate and improve. The aftermarket is quick to step in and fix design problems in Original Equipment parts. They’re also able to improve on reliability and performance.

When you use your independent aftermarket service center you’ll get parts that meet or exceed manufacturers’ specifications. You‘ll also have the freedom to choose replacement parts that meet your budget, improve performance or are the same as what the factory uses.

This freedom of choice is protected by law. You’re not required to use the dealership for service or to use the manufacturer’s brand of parts or fluids in order to maintain your vehicle warranty. Your local service center knows what products are recommended for your vehicle and can help keep you safely and economically on the road.

It’s like when you go to the hairdresser. They have a wide range of products you can choose from. You can buy something that’s less expensive when your budget’s tight, or kick it up a notch if you want. That’s the freedom of choice you get in the automotive aftermarket.

Some new car dealerships lead you to believe that only their technicians are able to properly service or repair your make of vehicle. That may be true if you drive a Ferrari, but for the rest of us, the training our technicians receive is transferable to our cars.

We invest heavily in training our technicians and in making sure that they have all of the high tech diagnostic and service equipment to take good care of you. Hey, we live in the information age – we have access to the latest specifications, problem reports and repair solutions for your vehicle.

Like your hairdresser – she probably knows you. She knows your personality, all about your family, and maybe even a few secrets. Your technician should also know you, and your car. You can’t underestimate the value of that relationship.

Your vehicles are a big investment and you rely on them so much. You have to have someone you can trust to take care of you. A+ Japanese Auto Repair can get the right parts, has the training to fix your vehicle and has a very strong commitment to your satisfaction. And for most of us, they’re more conveniently located and can usually perform maintenance services with less wait and hassle.

A+ Japanese Auto Repair serves the cities of San Carlos, Belmont, Redwood City, Redwood Shores, Foster City, San Mateo and more. We specialize on Honda Auto Repair, Acura Auto Repair, Toyota Auto Repair, Lexus Auto Repair, Nissan Auto Repair, Infiniti Auto Repair, Subaru Auto Repair, Mitsubishi Auto Repair, Mazda Auto Repair, Scion Auto Repair, and Hybrid Auto Repair.

Power Steering: Keep Headed in the Right Direction

Power steering is standard on nearly every car and truck these days. Now there are some exotic, new types of power steering systems, but for the most part, the heart of the system is a pump that’s driven by a belt powered by the engine.

Contact us at A+ Japanese Auto Repair for questions about your power steering.

The pump generates boost that assists you as you steer your SUV. Power steering systems use hoses to move pressurized fluid back and forth. These hoses can develop leaks so it’s a good idea to inspect them at every oil change.

A check of the power steering fluid level is on the list for every full service oil change because low fluid can damage the power steering pump. And the fluid needs to be compatible with the hoses and seals, so you need to use the correct type –just ask your service consultant at C & C Automotive.

In addition to providing boost, the fluid cleans, cools and lubricates the power steering system. The lubricants and detergents are depleted over time so you need to replace your old fluid with clean, fresh fluid periodically.

Excess moisture can collect in the power steering fluid as well. That can lead to rust and corrosion as well as reduce the effectiveness of the fluid. Many manufacturers specify power steering service intervals in the owner’s manual. Unfortunately, this important service is sometimes left off the maintenance schedule. When in doubt, every two years is a good fallback.

We will use a detergent to clean the system, flush out the old fluid and replace it with the good stuff.

Now, if you are experiencing high steering effort, erratic power assist, loud whining coming from the pump you may have a power steering problem. Another sign is that you have to frequently top off the fluid.

Holding the steering wheel to the far right or left for more than a few seconds at a time can wear your pump out real fast. We want you to be sure to service your power steering system regularly to keep you headed in the right direction.

A+ Japanese Auto Repair serves the cities of San Carlos, Belmont, Redwood City, Redwood Shores, Foster City, San Mateo and more. We specialize on Honda Auto Repair, Acura Auto Repair, Toyota Auto Repair, Lexus Auto Repair, Nissan Auto Repair, Infiniti Auto Repair, Subaru Auto Repair, Mitsubishi Auto Repair, Mazda Auto Repair, Scion Auto Repair, and Hybrid Auto Repair.

Better Service - Better Suspension

When you hear the word ‘suspension‘, you may think back to those energetic days of grade school. Well, your car’s suspension is actually a good thing because it keeps your car up off the road and helps provide a comfy ride. It needs to keep your wheels firmly planted over bumps and through curves. Your suspension system has many parts. If you look under your car, it’s basically everything that connects your wheels to the car’s frame. These are heavy duty parts that do a lot of work. They need to be inspected for damage and excessive wear at least once a year. A good time for this is when you get your annual alignment service.

Here are some warning signs that your suspension may have problems:

• the car pulls to one side;
• it wanders;
• the steering is erratic;
• you see uneven tire wear;
• you experience a poor ride or handling;
• you see oil leaking from shocks
• . . . you get the picture. You just don’t feel in control when you’re driving.

Some suspension parts just wear out with use. Shocks and struts eventually lose their ability to control your ride. Wheel bearings need to be repacked every couple of years. And some suspension pieces need to be lubricated when you get your oil changed. Your service advisor can oversee an inspection and tell you what problems you may have.

If you’re in an accident, your suspension can be damaged or knocked out of alignment. Even a minor accident, like hitting a curb around Augusta or even a large rock can mess things up. With a minor accident it’s tempting to just get an alignment or wheel balance to correct the problem. But if there’s some damage, a simple alignment won’t actually fix the problem, and you’ll just have to align it again after the repairs are made. So if you have an accident, get your suspension system inspected right away. Suspension problems should be fixed immediately because they can lead to unsafe handling.

One big cause of suspension damage is potholes – those nasty magnets that seem to draw our tires right into them. Here are some tips for avoiding damage from potholes: First, keep your tires at their full air pressure. That gives tires their maximum resiliency and will hopefully keep your wheels or other suspension parts from crunching on a big hole. Next, just pay attention. When you see a hole you can’t miss, slow down before you hit it. Driving at a slower speed will limit the damage, and may keep your drink from spilling. But don’t brake directly over the pothole. That will cause the car’s weight to shift forward and add to the potential damage.

So don’t put off an inspection of your suspension. We promise the principal won’t be involved.

A+ Japanese Auto Repair serves the cities of San Carlos, Belmont, Redwood City, Redwood Shores, Foster City, San Mateo and more. We specialize on Honda Auto Repair, Acura Auto Repair, Toyota Auto Repair, Lexus Auto Repair, Nissan Auto Repair, Infiniti Auto Repair, Subaru Auto Repair, Mitsubishi Auto Repair, Mazda Auto Repair, Scion Auto Repair, and Hybrid Auto Repair.

Technician Training

Your car is important to you and keeping it running is vital to your lifestyle. That’s why you should have it serviced regularly. And even though it may just be routine maintenance, you want it done right.

It’s also very important to A+ Japanese Auto Repair to keep you happy and on the road. You might be surprised at the amount of money we spend each year to make sure our technicians are properly trained.

A+ Japanese Auto Repair offers a variety of car care services to many kinds of vehicles. We need to be up to date on the latest techniques and parts so that we can care for your car properly. A+ Japanese Auto Repair subscribes to data services that list the high quality parts and fluids recommended by your manufacturer.  We also have a team of highly skilled Master ASE Technicians.

And each service has a checklist of standard procedures. Technicians at our shop in San Carlos follow these procedures so we can safely deliver a consistent level of high-quality service.

Some services require the use of specialized equipment. Our technicians are trained extensively on this equipment so that they can service your car quickly and efficiently.

Classroom, video and hands-on training is provided by A+ Japanese Auto Repair and outside trainers. It’s not only important that service technicians be able to perform a given task, they also need to be thoroughly trained in inspection and diagnostic techniques. One of the great services they perform is to spot potential problems before they become serious.

The automotive service industry has standards for classifying and communicating problems to customers. For example, it’s one thing to learn that your manufacturer recommends that you change your serpentine belt belt every 30,000 miles and another to learn that the belt is on the verge of failure. These standards help you understand the urgency of recommendations, letting you make better service decisions.

You may be interested to know that our service technicians are trained in compliance with federal and local laws and regulations, including environmental regulations regarding the disposal of used parts and fluids.

It’s the goal of A+ Japanese to provide efficient, courteous and valuable service. You should feel free to ask your technician or one of owner, Eric Sevim, about your service or for more information about our recommendations.

Well-trained service providers, established procedures, industry standards, combine to give you the best service experience possible.

A+ Japanese Auto Repair serves the cities of San Carlos, Belmont, Redwood City, Redwood Shores, Foster City, San Mateo and more. We specialize on Honda Auto Repair, Acura Auto Repair, Toyota Auto Repair, Lexus Auto Repair, Nissan Auto Repair, Infiniti Auto Repair, Subaru Auto Repair, Mitsubishi Auto Repair, Mazda Auto Repair, Scion Auto Repair, and Hybrid Auto Repair.