Folsom Auto Repair

How is the visibility from the driver’s seat of your car? Say, can you see well at night because your headlights are working properly? Can you see well when it’s raining because your windshield wipers are in good condition? And oh say, can other people see your vehicle at night, too, when you activate your blinkers and press on the brake pedal? Sorry for the play on words with our National Anthem. We can’t help it. We love our country, and to celebrate the month of July when the founding fathers of our nation started the great democratic experiment, we want to give tribute to a clear 2020 vision. (Another pun, sorry!) All kidding aside, clear vision while you are driving is no joke. You need to see and be seen without any issues. Here are some things to consider when maintaining your vehicle’s viewpoint. Are your headlights working? Are your tail lights and blinkers working? Are your interior lights working? In what condition are your wiper blades? Are yo ... read more

As you know, the summertime sizzle in Folsom and the Sacramento area is real. That is why we want to share our advice on how to keep your cool in sizzling summer weather. At Foreign Autohaus, we service the Air Conditioning systems on a lot of European automobiles. Each automotive brand has its own set of A/C system nuances that our automotive technicians must be intimately familiar with. Therefore, our auto repair team trains and studies everything from potential refrigerant leak causes to why certain components within the air conditioning system are not operating like they should (fans, compressors, dash controls, etc.). Our recommendation for you is to make certain your car’s A/C system is in tip-top shape for Summer. If you have set the temperature to cool and the air is blowing hot, we invite you to schedule an appointment with the Foreign Autohaus team to visually inspect your climate control system. If we find the refrigerant needs a recharge or if anything is out of ord ... read more

There is nothing like the prospect of a road trip in the spring. It is a time of rebirth, and everywhere you look, there are buds on the branches and plants emerging from the ground. Northern California is filled with such beauty and wild adventures everywhere you turn. Imagine climbing in a convertible and heading down the windswept coastline where California meets the vast Pacific ocean. All along northern California, you will find a variety of landscapes, from beaches to mountains and redwood forests; you will discover off-beat and historical landmarks to keep you coming back for more. If you are looking for some juicy history, you may want to head in-land and learn about the gold rush of 1849. Another highway filled with history is Highway 49. Did you know that the football team was named after this California highway winding its way through the Sierra Nevada's. This is the heart of the wild west as we think of it today. Be sure to explore the Marshall Gold Discovery Historic ... read more

  10 Reasons Why We Love European Cars   There are so many reasons to love European cars, everything from their superior quality in engineering, to speed and the pleasure you get from operating such a finely tuned machine. Here are our top 10. 1. Wider Variety of Choices In Europe, the variety of auto manufacturers is vast in comparison to the United States as each is independent such as BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo, to name a few. In the US, a single motor company owns many makes of vehicles such as GM who owns GMC, Chevy, Buick, Cadillac, etc. 2. More Value for Your Money    When you are going to make a significant investment, you want to get the most bang for your buck. European cars typically have more features out of the gate. However, American carmakers have made quite a bit of progress on this front; it is still better to spend a little more and get a better-quality car, especially when it comes to an entry-level stock model. You will find it i ... read more

Winter is in full swing now that the new year has arrived, which means that road conditions are now the stuff of nightmares. Rain, snow, ice, and salt are all potential hazards to be aware of, and protecting your vehicle from the winter elements is the best way to ensure its longevity and safety down the line. Adhering to these 5 tips on how to protect your vehicle during the winter will go a long way toward making that a reality!   Covered Parking:   If you have access to covered parking, use it! Keeping your car covered while parked is essential in protecting it from the cold weather conditions. Additionally, keeping your car in a covered area such as in a covered carport or your garage will make getting into and out of your vehicle a more pleasant experience during the winter months. And if you live in an area where it snows, you can avoid having to scrape built-up ice and snow from your roof and windows.    Regularly Washing Your Car:   Salted roads m ... read more

The holiday season is a magical time of year, especially in our gorgeous state of California! If you’re looking for a way to get in the holiday mood, there’s no better way than by taking a short drive to experience the holiday traditions, sights, and experiences that Northern California has to offer. Read on for 5 magical NorCal holiday destinations for you and your family to enjoy throughout the season.   Yosemite National Park   To start your magical holiday season off on the right foot, there’s no better place to start than with a trip to California’s own Yosemite National Park. Spending the holidays in Yosemite won’t disappoint, with options to choose from like sleigh rides through the snow and Curry Village outdoor ice-skating rinks in Yosemite Valley. If skiing and snowboarding are more your style, Badger Pass Skii Area is home to one of the oldest downhill skiing areas in California.  If you’re concerned about when Yosemite ... read more

Since California is not a state known for a lot of rain, most drivers appear to “forget” how to drive when the first raindrops hit the ground. To help everyone remain safe during the rainy season, here are some tips on how to drive safely during winter rains. Make sure your tires are in good shape. When it doubt, bring your vehicle to our auto repair team for a visual tire inspection. If we see that your tires are wearing unevenly, the air in them is low, or that you could benefit from a tire rotation, we’ll let you know. Tires are a critical safety feature on wet roads because the deep tire tread does a better job of cutting through the water and reducing the risk of hydroplaning. Check your brakes. Your car’s brakes should be in good shape if you want your vehicle to stop safely and on short notice. When you hear squeaking or grinding when you apply the brake pedal, be sure to head straight to the auto repair team of Foreign Autohaus. We will perform a bra ... read more

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, also known as ADAS, are becoming popular features in today’s modern vehicles. But what do these driver assist systems mean to you and your automobile? ADAS is an evolving technology that could potentially change the way we commute in a huge way. Driver assist systems could start anywhere from your car helping you drive more safely, all the way up to driving the car without your help. It’s mind blowing how ADAS systems have the potential to help society with the following travel issues: Drive a blind person to the doctor’s office without the need for a hired driver. Reduce the risk of human-induced accidents. Drive children back and forth to school without having to disrupt the parents’ work days. Cars that park themselves while the family goes shopping. Cargo trucks driving cross-country to deliver goods without the need of a driver. Improved ability to study, work, and sleep while riding in a car. While this is incredi ... read more

Photo by Matt Ragland on Unsplash It’s September, and there are so many exciting things going on! School is back in session. Business is picking up again. The weather is starting to change, and people who love the outdoors are cramming in as many road trips as possible. A lot of people are excited to start heading into the mountains for ski season. Mountain road trips are quite demanding on your vehicles, and you need to make sure your vehicle is ready for the drive. Mountain road trips can be rough on your clutch, your transmission, your brakes, your suspension, and your tires. The more remote your mountain destination, the more rugged the terrain will be.  You don’t want to risk a breakdown in the middle of ... read more

It’s August, and you know what that means, right? It’s Car Show Season! As owners of European automobiles, this is an exciting time of year. This is the season where many automobile aficionados polish up their favorite vehicle, head out for a fun day trip, and go see a beautiful lineup of classic automotive beauties.  To celebrate this wonderful time of year, here is our list of the best car shows located within a day’s drive of Folsom, El Dorado Hills, and Sacramento. August 2-3, 2019 -- Hot August Nights in Virginia City, NV More than just a car show, this entertainment-packed event kicks off the beginning of August in Virginia City, NV. If you love classic cars and cruising, head to the first weekend of Hot August Nights. August 6-11, 2019 -- Hot August Nights in Reno & Sparks, NV The follow up to Virginia City, of course, is the more famous destination in Reno. Ren ... read more