Is The Turkey Browned Enough? Most commonly, we think of mom worrying in the kitchen about the turkey, if you will have marshmallows on your sweet potato casserole, or what to put in the stuffing this year. What we forget is to think about everyone making the drive to grandma’s house packed like sardines in a car full of family and friends, for what could be a long drive ahead.   Wednesday, a Popular Travel Day If you want to take the stress out of the series of “Are we there yet?” leave a day early and book a hotel room for the night. Simply taking this small head start on your travel adventure can increase your traveling pleasure substantially. You may encounter traffic; however, you will have enough downtime between Wednesday’s drive and Thursday’s feast to recover. There is nothing like arriving at grandma’s house fresh with everyone wearing smiles. That is a priceless gift to yourself and the relatives that you don’t get to see ve ... 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

With the 4th of July around the corner, there are many different events going on in La Mesa and East County. Whether your spending the holiday with your family or friends you can find something for everyone. Who doesn’t love food and a grand firework show! If you are in the area check out a few of this 4th of July festivities.   If you want to spend the holiday in style then check out San Diego, it’s full of various activities whether you want to relax or have a fun-filled day. San Diego is the home of the Annual Big Bay Boom July 4 Fireworks show that runs along San Diego Bay and can be seen from Shelter Island to Seaport Village.    If you have children take them to Seaworld in San Diego. You can check out all the animals, ride some rides, and end the day with a spectacular fireworks show. You could also take them to ... read more

  We live in an incredible part of the country. There’s so much to see and do right here in and around San Diego, but it’s also nice to get out of the city once in a while. That’s another significant part about living in Southern California… we are within hours of some other spectacular places. Let’s check a couple out: Julian: This is an easy trip straight out 8. You can go during apple season, but they have the best apple pie year around. Their little town has fun shops, great food, and some charming places to stay for a weekend. Disneyland: When you plan your trip to Disneyland, try to go during the offseason if at all possible, but at least schedule your drive north during off-traffic times (if there is such a thing!) The magic of Disneyland can make anyone find their smile. Las Vegas: Visit Las Vegas, baby! Ther ... read more

Like your home, cars require regular upkeep and special attention. They are significant financial investments that without the proper care will end up costing you more than you originally paid for it. Preventative car maintenance is critical to preserve the condition of your car and avoid costly fixes. Americans are keeping their vehicles longer than ever now, lasting close to a decade. Most people don’t think to do checkups on their car if it appears to be working fine, but it does make a difference in the longevity and overall wellbeing of your vehicle if you keep up on regular maintenance. It also provides an opportunity for an auto technician to potentially catch a future problem that can be circumvented or at least planned for rather than clobber you with a breakdown and/or a huge auto repair bill.  It’s important to schedule regular checkups for replacing engine fluids, getting tune-ups (if that is what your car still requires), and oil changes. By doing so, yo ... read more

  Show your car some love this Valentine's Day. Loving your car doesn’t just mean you put the pedal to the medal every time you’re behind the wheel. It means taking care of your car so that when you WANT to put the pedal to the medal it responds exactly the way you want it to when you want it to. Or maybe you simply want it to get you from point A to point B every day without having to think about it other than having to fill it up with gas or taking the time to charge the electric battery. The most important way you can show your car love is to provide it with regular preventative maintenance. It’s a sure-fire way to keeping it running efficiently and maximizing its longevity. Whether or not you plan to keep your car more than the current average of just a few years, no one wants to break down on the side of the road or be saddled with a huge auto repair bill that could have been avoided with a simple oil change or look under the hood. Regular oil ch ... read more