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

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