by A1performance123 | Jan 20, 2016 | Auto Care Blog
The Tesla Service Center that is closest to Sunnyvale, CA, is located in Fremont, CA, and the next closest is San Rafael, CA. This is an important consideration if you are thinking of purchasing a Tesla. The drive without any traffic is about 1.5 hours to San Rafael, and with traffic it can take about 3 hours.
Tesla Service Center
If you have a Tesla, it needs to be serviced once per year in a Tesla Service Center. Just going to any mechanic will not do. It has to be a Tesla center. You can use a Tesla Ranger. This is a Tesla Mechanic that will come to your office or home to work on your vehicle. Most services can be performed by the Ranger and they’ll do it wherever you are. However, if the maintenance or repair needs a car lift then you will have to get your car to the nearest Tesla Service Center.
The Tesla Consumer Reports Rating
There is a lot of talk these days about Tesla. Many things about the company are just plain revolutionary in the car industry. This tossing of the apple cart is so revolutionary that it is upsetting some states and their vehicle sales laws. But, if you’re shopping for one and you’re ok with having to make the long drive to the Tesla Service Center when you need repair or some maintenance, pay attention to what Consumer Reports found out, according to the Detroit Free Press. The Consumer Reports’ testers loved the Tesla Model S, stating it was the best car they’ve ever driven. However, consumer’s feedback was quite a bit different. Actual Tesla owners said that the car was full of maladies of all sorts. So poorly did it score with the average driver that Consumer Reports can no longer recommend it.
Non Tesla Service
If you’re driving another type of car and don’t need a Tesla Service Center, A1 Performance Auto would love to be your auto mechanic. Stop by this week to get your oil changed and meet the certified mechanics.
by A1performance123 | Jan 6, 2016 | Auto Care Blog
Following a car maintenance checklist is an easy way to keep your car running great. It also helps keep your car from needing unnecessary and costly repairs. You spent a lot of hard earned cash to buy your car, so keep it running great and avoid a breakdown.
Car Maintenance Checklist
Some maintenance items you probably already know, but make it a point to do them regularly. The complete list for your own make and model of car is in your manual. It is important to take the time to read it and create a car maintenance checklist. Keep that checklist in your glovebox and give it a look once per month to make sure you stay on top of things.
Common Maintenance Tasks
- Check fluids monthly: engine oil, transmission fluid, coolant, wiper fluid, etc. Make sure they are clean and full.
- Check tire pressure every month to make sure it is the correct PSI. There is a label in your driver’s doorjamb (or B-Pillar) that gives the correct PSI for your tires.
- Check windshield wipers for lost screws and worn blades. Replace when worn.
- Wash your car as often as possible and wax it once per year. This helps stave off corrosion.
- Take care of repair issues as soon as they reveal themselves. Putting them off can lead to a unnecessary costly repair.
- Take your car to an auto mechanic for bigger maintenance jobs. The mechanic will check for potential upcoming problems that you will not be able to see.
A1 Performance Auto Repair
A1 Performance will help you with your car maintenance checklist and repairs. The mechanics are certified in their efficiency for your make and model of vehicle, foreign and domestic. Stop by this week for your oil change and get to know our knowledgeable staff.
by A1performance123 | Dec 16, 2015 | Auto Care Blog
Auto care is important. Your car is very expensive and very much needed in Northern California. When it is time to repair something on your car, it’ll usually give you a few hints first. Be aware of these signs that it is time to replace your shock absorbers.
Auto Care for Shock Absorbers
Shock absorbers make your ride a nice one. They buffer those bumps on the road so that you have a pleasant drive. They do wear out, but they wear out very slowly over time. You might not realize that new sound or vibration means it is time. Here are some signs to look for that your shock absorbers have taken all they are going to take.
Longer Stopping Distance
If you’ve noticed lately that when you put on the brakes it takes a bit longer to come to stop then it might be the shock absorbers. When they are sufficiently worn, it can take up to 20% farther to come to a stop. This is a safety issue, so have A1 Performance Auto Repair look at your car to see if it is time for replacement.
New Vibrations
If you are noticing new vibrations while you’re driving, it can mean many things like a bad wheel, rotting tire, or it can mean that the shock absorbers are worn out. Have new vibration problems checked out right away. Sometimes it can be a minor issue, and sometimes it can be a safety issue.
Uneven Tire Wear
When tires are wearing out in odd, uneven patterns, the shock absorbers could be to blame. This isn’t the only reason, but one of the most common reasons for the peculiar wear.
A1 Performance Auto Repair
A1 Performance Auto Repair is here in Sunnyvale for all of your auto repair needs, tire and shock absorber needs. Stop by and get to know us the next time you need your scheduled maintenance.
by A1performance123 | Dec 2, 2015 | Auto Care Blog
A diesel auto repair can be expensive, but many times some big repairs can be avoided. If you take special care of your auto by doing the required maintenance in a timely manner and behave yourself when driving, many major repairs can be avoided.
Diesel Auto Repair
There are many things that can go wrong and lead you right to your mechanic for a diesel auto repair. Diesel autos are the same as regular gasoline autos in that respect. But, sometimes you can do things that will avoid major repairs. Fix the little things and they will not lead to bigger things.
The 60,000 Mile Question
When your diesel auto has its 60,000 mile birthday, it is time to ask if it is time to sell. It is at this point when many diesel autos start to have the big repairs, especially if you drive like your foot is made of lead. If you stop fast and floor it to go, and haven’t been performing the requirement maintenance on time then maybe you should sell it to that auto dealer you never did like.
Blowing Smoke
If your car has been blowing a lot of smoke lately, maybe you should get A1 Performance Auto Repair to take a look at it. It could be something as easy to fix as a dirty air filter meter. When this happens, you cannot get the right mixture of fuel and air, leaving your diesel auto sluggish and making a lot of smoke. If you let it continue, one day it won’t start at all.
A1 Performance Auto Repair
A1 Performance Auto Repair specializes in diesel auto repair and works on most European and American makes of autos. Our certified mechanics will be happy to take a look at your diesel to find the root cause of the problem and fix it. Stop by, we’d love to meet you and your car.
by A1performance123 | Nov 11, 2015 | Auto Care Blog
Getting complete auto care by a mechanic that is certified by the make of your foreign auto is always the best way to go. A certified mechanic knows the ins and outs of your car. This allows him to diagnose the car problem fast and repair it correctly. In the long run, you are always going to come out ahead even if you’re paying more per hour.
Complete Auto Care
A1 Performance Auto Repair has auto mechanics that are certified in many makes of European automobiles as well as other makes. If you’re driving an Audi, BMW, Mercedes Benz or other fine foreign auto, then A1 Performance Auto Repair is the place where you want to get your complete auto care, from oil changes to complex repairs. Certified employees are always on staff to help resolve whatever issue you are having with your foreign auto.
Foreign Autos
You love your foreign car. You love the design, the color, the way it handles. So, of course, you want only an expert to work on your car. You would never dream of driving your Jaguar XK-E into a franchise oil change place any more than you would hand the keys to a pimply-faced kid at a restaurant valet. You care about your car, so you want only an expert to work on it.
A1 Performance Auto Repair has certified auto mechanics for all the big auto makers both foreign and domestic. Drop by the shop so that you can meet the mechanics that will be doing your complete auto care for you in our shop. A1 Performance Auto Repair has an excellent reputation for ethical and expert repair on their customers’ cars. Employees at this auto repair shop will love your car as much as you do.
by A1performance123 | Oct 28, 2015 | Auto Care Blog
A repair shop will always fill up with cars that have a dead battery problem this time of year. Car battery maintenance is something everyone should be doing. As the weather turns colder, these types of problems reveal themselves.
Car Battery Maintenance
Periodically you should check your battery and do a little car battery maintenance. How often you need to do this depends on the age of the car, with older cars usually needing quite a bit more looking after. Here are some things you might want to check with your maintenance program:
Check Voltage
First, make sure your battery is completely charged then check your car battery with an open cell voltage with a voltmeter or a battery tester. It should be 12.5-12.6 volts. If it is less or the battery won’t charge then open the fill caps and add distilled water. If there aren’t any fill caps, your battery is probably a low maintenance battery. Low maintenance batteries have cells that die when the water is low and you have to replace the battery.
Check for Acid Build Up
If you have crusty battery acid built up on the terminal posts or on the top of the battery then put on some gloves, get out the baking soda and tooth brush to scrub it off. Make a baking soda paste, dip in the brush then scrub the posts, terminals and any other place that has the acid. Wipe off when you’re done with your car battery maintenance.
Repair Shop
Most car owners don’t like getting all dirty under the hood. If you are one who would rather have a repair shop take care of the car battery maintenance then stop by A1 Performance Auto Repair. We have all the equipment that will keep your battery in tip top shape.
