Folsom Auto Repair

The most important item in a person's productive life is their vehicle.  We rely on our vehicle for everything!  Our vehicle gives us the freedom to get from here to there at our own convenience.  When a problem arises and our vehicle needs repairs, this throws a "monkey wrench" into our daily activities.  So, if our vehicle is the most important item in our lives, why do we avoid regular car maintenance?  According to a recent article, AAA states that 35% of Americans have skipped or delayed periodic car maintenance.  Why? It comes down to two major reasons: Cost and Time.   Have you heard the saying, "time is money?" This saying rings true when it comes to car maintenance.  If you do not take the time now to service your car, it will cost you in the long run.  Let's break down the time factor a little more.  How long does it take to get a regular oil change? An oil change at max will take about an hou ... read more

Super Bowl LVI was held last weekend and whether you are a fan of football or a fan of 90's rap, the Super Bowl did not disappoint.  The Super Bowl ranks among the world's MOST watched sporting events. This fact is not shocking at all, the Super Bowl provides entertainment for all.  The burning question is, why do you watch the Super Bowl?  Is it for the love of the game? Commercials? Half-time show? Or are you here for the snacks? A recent poll found that 52% of Americans watch the Super Bowl for the Advertisements/Commercials.  Let's take a look at the Best Car Commercials from Super Bowl LVI. 1. Polestar "No Compromises" Some would say this commercial was a little "shady." Their running theme: NO punchlines, NO hidden agendas, NO compromises, NO conquering Mars.  Hmmm, I do believe that was some shade thrown at Mr. Elon Musk.  Polesatars message was simple and clear. 2. GM-Dr. EV-il EVerybodyin   Dr ... read more

Did you know January kicks off the best "ski conditions?" Skiing, snowboarding, and sledding trips are fun, but the snowy conditions can pose a problem for drivers.  If you are not familiar with driving in the snow, here are a few safety precautions to follow. Skidding and sliding are common while driving in the snow.  The key is not to panic when this happens.  Our natural reaction is to slam on the breaks, but DON'T DO IT!  Instead, ease off the gas.   Be prepared and carry the right supplies.  Drive with a full tank of gas, lights on, and always carry chains.  It wouldn't hurt to throw a snow shovel in the trunk too!   Keep driving movements smooth and subtle.  This includes control of the steering wheel, brakes, and accelerator.  Look far ahead and keep a generous distance between you and the vehicle in front of you. Most importantly, if a road is unplowed the maximum speed limit is 35mph ... read more

Safety Tips for Driving in the Rain It's beginning to look and feel a lot like RAINY season!   According to the U.S department of transportation, there are nearly 1.2 million auto accidents each year related to weather.  Most of these accidents occur during rainfall.   Here are some tips for driving in the rain: 1.  Slow Down!  Allow more travel time while it is raining.  Traffic will be slower, so don't be in a rush-it is not worth it.  Speeding while driving in the rain will cause hydroplaning.  2.  Turn on your defroster:  Turning on your defroster will prevent the windshield from fogging up, and give you better visibility. 3.  Give extra room:  Give yourself a safe amount of space between vehicles.  The extra room will give you a better reaction time. 4.  Avoid hard braking: Slow down, and give plenty of room so last-minute braking is avoided. 5.  Stay calm if you ar ... read more

October is National Fall Car Care Month Two months out of the year are designated as Car Care Months-April and October.  This makes perfect sense, both months are the beginning of a new season.  Each season will bring on different weather conditions, and we will need to prep our vehicles for any and all conditions headed our way.   In April you will be getting your car ready for spring and summer road trips.  In October you are prepping your car for the extreme weather; rain, sleet, snow...etc.  As we ease into October let's do a quick check car check.  Those summer months of trips to the beach, mountains, and big cities can take a toll on your car.  It is time to give your car some extra attention. Fall 5 checklist! -Check your windshield wipers and make sure they are not cracked.  Give them a test run to make sure they run properly.  Visibility is #1. -Check your vehicle's heater and defroster.  Both are imperati ... read more

What's the 411 when it comes to emergency lights??   Emergency lights turn on during the most inconvenient times.  Let's face it, there is never a convenient time for your emergency dashboard lights to pop on.  Although not convenient, they should never be ignored.  Here is a list of the top 3 warning lights that should be taken serious. Check Engine Light: This icon looks like a silhouette of an engine.  It is safe to say this is the last light you ever want to see on your dashboard.  First instinct when seeing this light...$$$$$.  The check engine light can mean many things because it relates to anything having to do with the car's motor and emissions system.  It can range from a loose gas cap, to a loose wire, to a serious engine problem.  If the light turns on while you are driving, get it to your mechanic as soon as possible.  Your mechanic will be able to run a diagnostic test and find the problem. L ... read more

"Bring out the Big Muscle" The Auto Industry is the "BIG MUSCLE" for the US economy.  Have you ever taken the time to stop, look around, and think, what your day would look like without the auto industry?  We need the auto industry! The moment we wake up to the time we go to sleep, we rely on the auto industry.  Think back to a time when your car was in the shop; was your life inconvenienced?  Did your routine look different?  Did your attitude shift?  100% it is an inconvenience! Our lives revolve around our vehicles. Now, let's look at the auto industry from an economic scope: it is a critical component of economic growth.  Just like its a critical component in our daily lives.  The US economy needs the auto industry.  An article from Auto Alliance states, "America's automobile industry is one of the most powerful engines driving the US economy."  The reach of the a ... read more

  The month of February is generally known as the month of "LOVE." All month our social media has been focusing on "showing your car some love." If your not following us on social media, go give us a follow. Let's continue on the thread of love and focus on 5 self care tips for your car. You heard correctly, self care for your car! All too often we take our car for granted and think it will take care of itself. Wrong. Maintenance is key to the longevity of your car.   Here are 5 self love car tips that sound simple but all too often neglected.   1.  Keep your car clean on the outside and inside. Wash your car regularly.  Over time mud, dirt, and rain will attach to the surface of your car.  The minerals in these natural substances will cause damage to your paint job.  Its important to wash your car regularly, especially after it rains. Have you ever gotten a ride from a friend, you get in the car and before you can even ... read more

Welcome to the New Year and our first blog of 2021! Over the years, you may have heard the expression “OEM parts” come up in conversation. If you’ve ever wondered what it means and why it’s important, this blog entry will bring you up to speed. The first misconception to clear up is that OEM is not a company. It’s an acronym, meaning Original Equipment Manufacturer. When a repair shop such as Foreign Autohaus says, “We only use OEM parts”, we/they are saying that we/they only use the parts that the manufacturer installed the day the car was sold for new-- no substitutes.  It might not sound all that bad, to use a substitute part in the place of an OEM part. Some people have an attitude of “a part’s a part” and don’t really care if an OEM part is used if it will shave a little off the price of their work. Some people like to save a little time or a little money, and cut a corner.  While we don’t argue w ... 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 ‘starter’ cars that they know they can depend on.  Of all the things parents most want their teenage drivers to have in a European import, safety is a top concern, so options like the Porsche 944 have been deliberately left off the list in favor of the more stable, dependable, and safe cars. Here’s a list of the top parent-approved European import cars for young drivers! Volkswagen Passat (2009 - ): Most importantly, the Passat are considered very safe, which is why they make the top of the list! Passats are well-rounded performers that just happen to come packaged in luxury. Audi B7 A4: A luxury car with a lot to offer, this import is much more popular in northern states. But it has many fine features, such as the Quattro AWD, and properly tuned-up, makes a good first Eu ... read more