by A1performance123 | Jan 28, 2017 | Auto Care Blog
The cheapest roadside assistance is probably the one your insurance offers with your car insurance policy. But there are other great options, too.
Cheapest Roadside Assistance
It is best to always be prepared for a breakdown. Have a policy in place, so that you can just call a number and a tow truck will arrive to help with a jump or tow. There are many ways to get the cheapest roadside assistance plan.
Probably the least expensive is to get the roadside assistance option on your auto insurance. This will cost anywhere from $4 for 6 months to $20. The price will depend on your insurance carrier and the number of policies you have with them.
If your auto insurance doesn’t offer the kind of coverage that you would like, then the next best option is to become a member of AAA. This will cost about $59 per year, but it offers far more than just tow and roadside service. You can get a check cashed in an emergency, help with being locked out of your house, free car rental for a day and a lot of other services and discounts. This is not your grandma’s AAA. They have really grown and even offer car and home insurance policies now.
Free Tow in Sunnyvale
If you don’t have a plan with your insurance company or an AAA membership then your best bet is to call A1 Auto Repair Service. If you are within 3 miles of their shop, they will tow you in and start working on your car right away. This service is free for customers who use A1 Auto Repair Service to repair their car. So, write down “Cheapest Roadside Assistance – Free Towing – (408) 530-0089” on a piece of paper and keep it in your glove compartment.
by A1performance123 | Jan 18, 2017 | Auto Care Blog
New cars have very easy car maintenance that is simple to remember. Actually, you don’t need to remember, because a little light will come on in your dashboard letting you know you need to do something. There is a different icon for each type of maintenance that needs to be performed. Older cars are not so easy. You need to stay on top of things without reminders.
Easy Car Maintenance
There are a few things you’ll need to remember to do periodically to keep your car running great, have fewer break downs and get lots of extra years of driving out of it.
Check Your Tire Pressure
If the tire looks low and maybe going flat, you check the tire pressure, right? Well, not exactly. At that point there is likely a leak in the tire. You need to check your tire pressure every change of season, in the least. You can catch a problem long before it becomes such a big deal that it’ll leave you stranded or wear your tires unevenly.
Check Your Fluids
Checking car fluids involves more than checking the oil. There are several different fluids to check from time to time. They all have different time period recommendations. See your car’s manual to find how often to check these fluids.
Check Brakes
Brakes need to be inspected by a professional. It requires putting the car up on a lift and pulling off the wheel then taking a look with a trained eye. Most people do not recognize worn out brakes when it happens. For your safety, you should have them inspected by a mechanic once per year or whenever the wheel needs to be pulled off for a repair.
We hope these easy car maintenance tips will save you from having a dangerous problem arise with your car. We’re looking forward to seeing you soon at A1 Performance Auto Repair.
by A1performance123 | Jan 10, 2017 | Auto Care Blog
Car service deals are a monthly, money saving surprise at A1 Performance Auto Repair. We always make sure there are a few choices that will help the budget with a little extra cash. It is our way to say thank you to our customers. The deals are posted monthly right here on our website.
Car Service Deals
There is one ongoing car service deal that you’ll want to remember, in case you ever need it. When your car breaks down we’ll come by, hook it up and tow it into our shop for free. (This free tow program is good within 3 miles of our shop.) We know it is tough to get a car into the shop when it is broken down and we don’t want you to damage your car any further by driving it if it shouldn’t be. Just give us a call, coupons are not necessary. 408-530-0089
We have other specials, too, besides the free tow. There are usually at least four specials that people will use in that particular season. You should bookmark our deals page and check it every month. If you’re worried you’ll miss the specials by forgetting to check, sign up to our newsletter. We send out our deals newsletter every month to let our customers know how they can save money with our car service deals that month. Right now we’re also offering a $50 Amazon Gift Card periodically to people who have signed up for our mailing list. Another win! (The sign up form is on the right side of this page.)
A1 Performance Auto Repair
A1 Performance Auto Repair has certified mechanics on duty to keep your car or truck running in tip top condition. We take special care of our customers and always offer some car service deals to save money. We know every dollar saved helps!
by A1performance123 | Jan 1, 2017 | Auto Care Blog
Nissan LEAF battery life is getting an upgrade for the new 2017 models that are hitting dealers now. The 30 kWh battery used to be available only on the LEAF SV and SL grades, but is now standard with all models: S, SV and SL.
Nissan LEAF Battery Life
This 30 kWh battery will get you approximately 100 miles or more and can be quick charged to 80% in only 30 minutes. Using a home charging Level 2 system that is 240V will take about 6 hours. This 30 kWh Nissan LEAF battery life is extended without having to increase the battery’s size, only the capacity. They’ve accomplished this by making improvements on the battery cell structure, resulting in a better performance. It now has a higher power density and durability than the batteries of prior years.
The warranty for the battery pack is for 100,000 miles or 8 years, covering any workmanship or material defects. There is an additional limited warranty against capacity loss of below 9 bars for the same warranty time period.
Nissan LEAF
The Nissan LEAF is a 100% electric powered car which is less expensive to operate than a gasoline powered automobile. It is known for its responsiveness and has a fun to drive reputation. It has a lower maintenance cost typically than a gas powered car and starting prices are competitive, especially when considering tax incentives for purchasing them.
You can shop for the improved 2017 LEAF with the far better Nissan LEAF battery life now at your local Nissan dealer. The LEAF starts at only $30,680 for the LEAF S model, before taxes, license, registration and options. There is an additional charge of $865 for destination fee on any of the models, but your dealer’s pricing could vary.
by A1performance123 | Dec 17, 2016 | Auto Care Blog
Your automobile may have seen more sunshine than raindrops during the California drought, but becoming overconfident in your car’s safety, and your rainy day driving, leads to costly and dangerous mistakes. Here are the top precautions you should take when the rainy season beings.
Automobile Tips for a Rainy Day
Preparing your automobile for the rainy season is a bit like how you prepare yourself for it. First, you check your equipment. Has your umbrella has seen better days or have the kids outgrown their rain jackets? With your car, you should check the tire treads, the condition of windshield wipers and all lighting systems before the forecast sends you into a panic. It’s also the best time to test your defroster, before you find yourself frantically wiping at a steamy window. Your car only performs as well as its worst piece of equipment, so prepare now and avoid stress later.
One area not directly related to rain that we also suggest checking is your battery. While rain doesn’t typically cause a dead battery, you’ll find you’re much more frustrated stuck with a dead battery in a downpour than on a warm, sunny day.
Once your equipment is good to go, remember that you must drive differently in rain. Just as you take more precautions walking on slippery steps and sidewalks, plan extra time for trips, slow down and always leave extra space between you and the vehicle ahead – even in stalled traffic. You don’t have to start a pileup to end it. Slow, steady speeds and generous spacing save many rainy day blues.
Your automobile does its best to protest you from the elements, so return the favor with a pre-season check-up. At A-1 Performance Auto Repair, we work to keep you and your vehicle safe through any storm.
by A1performance123 | Dec 1, 2016 | Auto Care Blog
Not enough people think about how to take care of a new car when they buy one. If they don’t properly break it in then it won’t last as long as it was designed to last. So, you’ll need to study up on your particular car and follow these tips.
How to Take Care of a New Car
By breaking in your engine you’ll have a great running engine for a long, long time. Different makes of cars have different mileage limits for their break-in period, but generally it’ll be between 500-2000 miles. These tips will help you break it in nicely.
- Start your car and let it idle for 30 seconds before driving off. This properly lubricates your new engine before it has to work. This isn’t something an older car needs.
- Avoid heavy use of your clutch and brakes for the break-in period. So, going up and down those hills for hours every day in San Francisco should be postponed for a while.
- Keep the speed to under 65mph. Save topping off the speed limit with that extra 5mph until after your car is fully broken in.
- Keep the RPMs varied. So, it is better to drive in town where you’re constantly going slower and then faster. The freeway will usually keep you at a constant, steady speed and you’ll want to avoid this while your car is brand new.
- Don’t labor the engine. Shift early rather than letting those RPMs get really high.
- Change your oil early. This removes those tiny metal flakes your engine will make during your car’s first 1000 miles. Ask your mechanic about this, because some cars might have a special lubricant in the oil for the break in period. You’ll want to keep that lubricant as long as possible.
A1 Performance Auto Repair
Congratulations on your brand new car. Stop in anytime at A1 Performance Auto repair if you have any more questions on how to take care of a new car.
