Increasing driver’s safety in summer   According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, most auto-related incidents and injuries occur in July and August, including teenage accidents and deaths. In summer, we experience many weather-related changes and cultural patterns, which increase driving hazards during the summer months. This month’s blog will cover the most common summertime driving dangers and how we can avoid them.    Tire blowouts When it is hot outside and the pavement heats up, that heat transfers to your tires, causing the air inside to expand. Even new tires can blow out during a heatwave if you are not mindful of your tire pressure. The opposite occurs when it is cool outside, meaning that your tires will have low air pressure. Shifting between temperatures can cause frequent flat tires and blowouts, and if this occurs while driving can cause a terrible accident, especially while driving at high speeds. &nb ... read more

Happy October JAC La Mesa family!  With October comes a new blog for you! And what better way to tackle the "spookiest" month, by talking about all the scary sounds that can come from your vehicle. We will go through different haunting and intimidating sounds that can come from one's vehicle to prepare you for this spooky month! And to prepare you on how to tackle and handle them with the help of our auto repair experts at John's Automotive Care La Mesa. We now present our October blog, The scariest automotive sounds we've heard in a car! Please stop in and have one of our amazing customer service specialists go for a ride with you so we can pinpoint the noise that you are hearing.   Screeching- If you hear ear-piercing screeches that sound like nails on a chalkboard, there are a couple of things to do. First, it's crucial to determine where the screeches are coming from. Are they from the wheels and tires? It may be your brake pads, a wearable pa ... read more

  So you’re ready for a road trip around the sunny San Diego area? You’ve got your snacks packed, windows down, and seatbelts fastened, but wait! There’s one more thing you need that is a total game-changer for any road trip...an epic cruising playlist! Music can boost your mood and add another element to any drive. So let’s queue up your Spotify, Pandora, Apple Music, or whatever music streaming service you use, and create a playlist that will keep you jamming for your whole ride.   One of the best parts of a road trip is creating a playlist tailored to your specific music taste or even making it destination-themed! For instance, with a road trip to San Diego, some artists would be Dirty Heads, Goldfinger, Sublime, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Weezer, and Sugar Ray. They all have a very beachy, reggae, upbeat vibe to them that will pair perfectly with the ocean breeze flowing through your hair as you cruise with your windows down!    Another ... read more

I’m pretty sure we’ve all seen this light come on at least once or twice in our lives. Either in our vehicle or family and friend’s vehicle. Some may even cover the light with a picture or scrap paper to bring a sense of relief we call “Out of sight, out of mind.”   I know that may give you a temporary feeling of peace of mind, but let’s go over what this light means so you can get it in the shop instead of pasting over it!   The service engine’s soon light’s function is to let the driver know that the vehicle’s sensors have picked up on an issue. The emission control system often triggers this light, but other various causes could activate the sensor. Seeing this light come on can cause some alarm, but all cars need maintenance, and it doesn’t mean your engine is broken or cause for panic.   If the service engine soon light comes on while you’re driving, it’s best to pull over and assess t ... read more

  Spring is in the air, and the upcoming season is waiting for no one. Are you ready for a road trip? How about your car? No one wants to find themselves on the side of the road with a vehicle that lets you down when there is fun to be had. By giving your car a once over by a professional auto repair technician, you will have peace of mind, knowing what to keep an eye out for, what is urgent, and what services you can wait on.   Visual Inspections Auto repair professionals know what to look for, wear points on your specific vehicle, and help prevent unplanned breakdowns through regular maintenance check-ups. When you get a visual inspection done at John's Automotive Care, you receive a checklist showing photos of each report item listed in green, yellow, or red. Each color represents the level of urgency for service. Knowing your vehicle is thoroughly checked out before hitting the road will keep you feeling confident about your upcoming adventures.   Fluid Ser ... read more

Life can be hectic and inspecting your vehicle can easily fall to the bottom of the list before you know it. Visually inspecting your vehicle can be the first indication of possible issues that can help prevent major repairs. However, sometimes it's hard to know what to look for, and things can appear normal. Let our experts at John's Automotive Care take the guesswork out of inspecting your vehicle.  At John's Automotive Care, a visual inspection involves a qualified repair technician looking at your car's parts and systems. Our mechanics notate what looks normal while looking for anything out of the ordinary. We take special care to inspect your vehicle and even take photographs of your vehicle to keep you informed about our findings. We email the photographs to you along with the full report so you can see exactly what our technicians are referring to regarding your vehicle.  Our technicians take visual inspections very seriously. However, even the most s ... read more

  As we wrap up this unprecedented year and head into 2021, think about the differences between resolutions and solutions. Resolutions tend to get lost in the daily grind soon after the new year begins. When you focus on SOLUTIONS instead, you're coming up with a game plan on how to move things forward. When you add accountability to your solutions, it can be an excellent recipe for success.    Learn how to flip your resolution into a solution. Let's start with your car. A resolution might be, "I'm going to take better care of my vehicle in 2021". To turn that into a solution for your car, here's one possible way to break it down:   Solution: Taking better care of my car.    Check the air in my tires every month to make sure I am getting the best gas mileage possible. Set a monthly reminder on my phone. Work with my mechanic to determine the best oil service schedule possible. Doing so helps me significantly extend the lif ... read more

  Terrific Christmas Gifts to Give Your Car   Well, it's that time of year again, when we get to buy gifts for those we love and the things that we love. Many of us love our cars or someone who loves their vehicle. When you feel stuck and unsure what to get your loved one for Christmas, turn to us at John's Automotive Care for ideas. We are here to help you with your car and provide ideas for what to buy your loved one. This blog will share awesome gifts for car and truck lovers alike, and hope you find inspiration for your holiday shopping.   FOB Holder If your car lover doesn't yet have one of these key FOB holders offering emblems for ... read more

Before your kiddo can step onto the sports field, they must get a sports check-up from their doctor for safety purposes. A similar check-up from your local mechanic shop can easily catch and prevent any issue before it grows into a big one. It is always a good idea to take your car to have an inspection done now and then. Not only can preventive maintenance give you peace of mind, but it is also known to save you thousands of dollars in repairs by catching an issue early. The professionals at John’s Auto Care are trained to detect any warning signs before a small issue snowballs into a large one. If you don’t already have a relationship with an auto mechanic, it is time to build one. Having a mechanic shop that is familiar with your vehicle that is already in their system offers peace of mind. You have a team you can turn to for questions or concerns.   Are you a DIYer? There are smaller things you can do yourself to keep your car in top condition. Replacing your cab ... read more

The Art of Packing Your Trunk Are you ready for a road trip getaway? Taking off in your car for a few days is such a fun adventure! Sometimes it can feel daunting to pack, but with a little pre-trip planning and organization, you can make sure your road trip will be easy, fun, and successful. We at John’s Automotive Care want you to have a fantastic trip, which is why we have compiled a list of things to remember and strategies for packing your trunk.   Things To Bring The first step is to pack your bags. What should you bring, aside from your clothes, food, and any camping supplies you may have? A paper map! What? Really? Just think, when you have a paper map for your navigator, THEY can be at fault for that wrong turn you just made. :-) In all seriousness, though, if your data is inaccessible, a paper map is a handy thing to have in the car. Cue up some good tunes; taking the time to make a road trip playlist for your trip pays dividends. Not only will you have a theme ... read more