Folsom Auto Repair

As the cooler season approaches, it's crucial to prepare your vehicle for the chilly season ahead. Among the most common winter car problems is a dead battery. Cold temperatures can drain your battery's power, leaving you stranded. However, with some simple steps, you can keep your battery healthy and avoid any cold-weather surprises. -Battery Health Check: Start by checking your battery's health here at a Foreign Autohaus. If it's old or weak, consider replacing it before winter hits.   -Clean Connections: Corrosion can accumulate on battery terminals over time, hindering the electrical flow. Inspect and clean your battery terminals regularly using a mixture of baking soda and water and a wire brush. Remember to disconnect the battery before cleaning.   -Garage Parking: Whenever possible, park your car in a garage or shelter to shield it from the cold.   -Limit Electrical Use: Be mindful of using electrical accessories while idling, as this can dr ... read more

  “Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot!” As the summer sun turns up the heat, we at Foreign Autohaus understand how crucial it is to keep you and your vehicle cool and comfortable during scorching days. No one enjoys stepping into a sweltering oven on wheels, so we've got some friendly tips to help you beat the heat and preserve your internal heat index in these hot summer months!   1. Keep it Shady: Choose shaded spots to protect your car from the sun when parking. If you can't find shade, invest in a windshield sunshade to reduce interior heat and prevent your steering wheel from becoming a sizzling surprise.   2. Sunblock for Windows: Tinting your car windows adds a touch of style and helps block harmful UV rays and heat.    3. Ventilate Wisely: Before hopping in, crack open your windows slightly to allow hot air to escape. Once inside, roll down the opposite window and fan the door a few times to create a natural cross-breeze, expelling even mo ... read more

Help! My Car is Overheating! What Should I Do?  We've all been there - you're cruising along, and suddenly, your car starts overheating. It's a stressful situation, but knowing how to handle it can save you from further damage and keep you safe. As an auto repair business, we've got your back. Here are some quick tips on what to do when your car overheats. 1. Don't Panic, But Act Fast: Take a deep breath and stay calm. As soon as you notice the signs of an overheating engine - steam, rising temperature gauge, strange smells - pull over to a safe spot. Don't wait it out! 2. Give It a Break: Turn off the engine and let it cool down. Be patient. Opening the hood right away can lead to steam burns, so wait at least 30 minutes. 3. Coolant Check: Open the hood and check the coolant levels once safe. Most likely, this is the culprit. Top it off; if you have coolant, be sure not to touch any engine parts. 4. Call for Help: If you're unsure about what caused ... read more

"Raindrops keep falling on my head." If you reside in California, you can attest that we have had more rainy days than sunny days. Some would say this weather feels as if we live in Seattle. The Sacramento Bee reported it has rained for nearly half of 2023. It has rained 39 of the past 82 days! With the excessive amount of rain comes road hazards. Potholes are typically caused by weather, traffic volume, and the age of the road. It seems to be that every road and freeway in California is bombarded with potholes. The excessive amount of rain has increased the potholes in our area. When the water seeps into the crack of the road, it can expand during cold weather, causing the pavement to break apart. Once a vehicle drives over these areas, the pavement breaks more, creating potholes.  Avoiding potholes on the road will save you money. Hitting a pothole can cause damage to your car and a possible collision. Avoid potholes while driving by following these tips: d ... read more

5, 4, 3, 2, 1: HAPPY NEW YEAR! Can you believe it? It is 2023. The beginning of a new year is full of goal-setting and resolutions. It is time to make a 2023 automotive goal. Creating new habits can be difficult; luckily, we have tips and tools to help you. Avoiding or putting off preventative maintenance will decrease the life expectancy of your vehicle. Not only will it reduce the lifespan of your car, but it will also create a reactive mentality. Setting an automotive goal will shift the car care mindset to proactive vs. reactive. Please do not wait to care for your car till it is a problem. Making a habit part of your lifestyle starts with consistency. Choose one day out of the month to work on your automotive goal. For example, make the first Sunday of the month "Car Care." Below is a list of items to check when working on this goal: -Check windshield wipers -Check headlights -Check the condition of your tires and air pressure -Clean-out middle consol ... read more

12 Days of Christmas Foreign Autohaus Edition We thought it would be fun to have a Foreign Autohaus 12 days of Christmas blog and focus on 12 tips to care for your car during winter. Throw on your Santa hat, and let's get to it. On the first day of Christmas, Foreign Autohaus said to me: Replace your windshield wipers.  On the second day of Christmas, Foreign Autohaus said to me: Rotate your tires. On the third day of Christmas, Foreign Autohaus told me: Keep up on preventive maintenance. On the fourth day of Christmas, Foreign Autohaus said to me: Be prepared with an Emergency Car Kit. On the fifth day of Christmas, Foreign Autohaus told me: Ensure front and rear defrosters are working. On the sixth day of Christmas, Foreign Autohaus said to me: Check headlights and rear lights. On the seventh day of Christmas, Foreign Autohaus told me: Stop and check the spare tire. Make sure your spare tire is not deflated. On the eighth day of Christmas, F ... read more

November is the month of Thanks and Gratitude. Here at Foreign Autohaus, we are grateful for our loyal customers. We took a poll on Social Media and asked our followers and customers, "Give us three reasons you are grateful for your car." We were not shocked by the responses. The repeated answer from all of our followers was convenience. We can all agree that when your car breaks down, it is the biggest disrupter in your life. An inconvenience is putting it lightly. We strive to make our customers' auto repair experience as convenient as possible. Convenience at Foreign Autohaus starts with the ease of scheduling your appointment. Did you know there are two ways to prepare for your next service? You can call us or go online; both are fast and efficient. Making life even more convenient, we have a comfortable waiting area with wifi, coffee, and water. This way, you can work while your car is being serviced. We've got you covered if you need a ride t ... read more

Cha-ching, Cha-ching! The sound you hear every time you pull up to the gas pump. Nationwide everyone is feeling the effects of record-high gas prices. In California, gas prices are reaching a record high for the second time in 2022. Breaking records is fun, but not when it affects our bank accounts. Are you asking yourself: How can I improve my gas mileage? What driving habits affect fuel efficiency? How can I save money at the gas pump? The best place to start is...our driving habits. This is one area we can correct quickly.  1. Slow down; it is not a race!! Avoid accelerating quickly when driving—rapid acceleration and speeding while driving will burn more gas. Refrain from braking at the last minute.  2. Turn off your car. If you are waiting to pick up children from school or practice, turn off your vehicle—an idling car will burn gas. In a recent article, the California Energy Commission states that an idling vehicle can burn as much as ... read more

Hot, Hot, Hot!  Living in Northern California we are not surprised or shocked when a heat wave sweeps through our area.  Last week temps were over 100 all week long.  During a week like that, this is definitely not the time we want our car to overheat.  Let's talk about what to do if your car overheats, what not to do if your car overheats, and how can you prevent this from happening. First, how can you tell your vehicle is overheating?  Here are three signs that your car is overheating; the temperature gauge is rising, a weird smell, and there is visible steam coming from the engine.   What do you do if your car overheats? First and foremost, stay calm.  Do not panic.  Pull over to a safe secure area and turn off your car.  If you are not familiar with working on cars, now is not the time.  Call roadside assistance or a tow truck.  Leave this for the professionals.  While waiting for the tow truck to arrive wa ... read more

Temps are rising and this can mean one thing...SUMMER is officially here! There is nothing worse than being uncomfortable in your car during the summer months.  We have created a list of 10 Must-Have items everyone needs in their car during the summer.  Trust us, you definitely want to check out this list! 1. Sunglasses!!! Essential for driving when that sun hits right under your visor, no squinting here.  Have an extra pair in your glove compartment to be on the safe side.  2. Water and Snack kit: Keep an insulated cooler in the trunk with water and snacks.  Hangry passengers are not the best company! 3. Bug Spray: You never need bug spray until you really need bug spray!  A product that is often forgotten since it is not used in our daily lives.  Bye-Bye mosquitos! 4. Phone charger: Arguably the number one item on this list no one can live without! 5. First Aid Kit: Safety first.  Check First Aid Kit before heading on your summer road ... read more