A tire bursting is no joke and can be a terrifying situation no driver wants to find themselves in. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported in 2003 that, of the 78,392 accidents that occurred due to a blown-out tire, 414 people lost their lives while nearly 15% (10,275 individuals) suffered non-fatal injuries. Thankfully, given new advances in technology, significant improvements in tire construction and early alert systems have helped reduce severe accidents due to tire blowouts. Even though improvements have been made, this type of emergency is still very possible. The team at John's Automotive Care La Mesa wants to prepare you for this situation with our August blog; having the proper knowledge of handling a burst tire is essential to your safety.    In most cases, there are four primary reasons why a tire blows out suddenly.    The tire was under-inflated. Tire overinflated.  A mecha ... read more

Extended warranties are a kind of service that drivers can purchase when their car's original manufacturer's warranty expires. It is not an extension of the manufacturer's warranty. This type of warranty is an optional type of warranty you pay into that will be used for future auto repairs to a vehicle's major systems. Extended car warranties, in the end, can save you major money if you ever run into significant car problems. While they can do this, about half of drivers see themselves never using their extended warranty or having a repair cost less than the warranty. In this case, it would make sense to just set aside money yourself for potential auto repair needs. But before making any decisions, it is crucial to understand the pros and cons of extended car warranties.    Pros 1.     Save Money  If you do need a costly repair, extended warranties could cover the repair. So, instead of paying the entire bill, you would only need to pay ... 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

  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

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

  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