Folsom Auto Repair

Hot, Hot, Hot!  Living in Northern California we are not surprised or shocked when a heat wave sweeps through our area.  Last week temps were over 100 all week long.  During a week like that, this is definitely not the time we want our car to overheat.  Let's talk about what to do if your car overheats, what not to do if your car overheats, and how can you prevent this from happening. First, how can you tell your vehicle is overheating?  Here are three signs that your car is overheating; the temperature gauge is rising, a weird smell, and there is visible steam coming from the engine.   What do you do if your car overheats? First and foremost, stay calm.  Do not panic.  Pull over to a safe secure area and turn off your car.  If you are not familiar with working on cars, now is not the time.  Call roadside assistance or a tow truck.  Leave this for the professionals.  While waiting for the tow truck to arrive wa ... read more

Temps are rising and this can mean one thing...SUMMER is officially here! There is nothing worse than being uncomfortable in your car during the summer months.  We have created a list of 10 Must-Have items everyone needs in their car during the summer.  Trust us, you definitely want to check out this list! 1. Sunglasses!!! Essential for driving when that sun hits right under your visor, no squinting here.  Have an extra pair in your glove compartment to be on the safe side.  2. Water and Snack kit: Keep an insulated cooler in the trunk with water and snacks.  Hangry passengers are not the best company! 3. Bug Spray: You never need bug spray until you really need bug spray!  A product that is often forgotten since it is not used in our daily lives.  Bye-Bye mosquitos! 4. Phone charger: Arguably the number one item on this list no one can live without! 5. First Aid Kit: Safety first.  Check First Aid Kit before heading on your summer road ... read more

What's the Best car for High School Graduates headed to College? This time in your grads life is full of lots of first.  First time living on their own, their first time figuring out how to manage their time, and the first time where they are responsible for everything!  Before they leave for college you need to figure out if your child needs a car in this next chapter of life.  Will your student need to travel from campus to home?  Will they need a vehicle for work and outside activities? Many incoming freshmen living on campus will not need a car however if they choose to get one here are some things to consider. The top four things to consider when looking for a car for your college student are safety, affordability, mileage, and insurance. When we consider affordability, a used car will be the best option.  In a recent article in Money Crashers, they list the best affordable cars for college students.  Let's take a l ... read more

It's that time of year--time for some SPRING CLEANING!!!  Temperatures are warming up and we see some road trips in your future.  Oh yes, road trips are in the planning process, hotels are booked--let the countdown begin!  Spring cleaning is not only for your home but also for your vehicle.  Time to clean out, clean up, and show your car how much you care. Today we are going to tackle a couple of areas of the vehicle that we call the "problem" areas.  These areas tend to be neglected the most and store a lot of junk.   The trunk is also known as the junk drawer of the car.  Our trunk ends up being a catch-all for anything and everything.  Think about it right now, what's the oddest item living in your trunk? Most likely that item has nothing to do with your car.  Clean-out unnecessary items in your trunk.  Make sure your trunk emergency kit is stocked with all the essentials: jumper cables, flashl ... read more

The most important item in a person's productive life is their vehicle.  We rely on our vehicle for everything!  Our vehicle gives us the freedom to get from here to there at our own convenience.  When a problem arises and our vehicle needs repairs, this throws a "monkey wrench" into our daily activities.  So, if our vehicle is the most important item in our lives, why do we avoid regular car maintenance?  According to a recent article, AAA states that 35% of Americans have skipped or delayed periodic car maintenance.  Why? It comes down to two major reasons: Cost and Time.   Have you heard the saying, "time is money?" This saying rings true when it comes to car maintenance.  If you do not take the time now to service your car, it will cost you in the long run.  Let's break down the time factor a little more.  How long does it take to get a regular oil change? An oil change at max will take about an hou ... read more

Did you know January kicks off the best "ski conditions?" Skiing, snowboarding, and sledding trips are fun, but the snowy conditions can pose a problem for drivers.  If you are not familiar with driving in the snow, here are a few safety precautions to follow. Skidding and sliding are common while driving in the snow.  The key is not to panic when this happens.  Our natural reaction is to slam on the breaks, but DON'T DO IT!  Instead, ease off the gas.   Be prepared and carry the right supplies.  Drive with a full tank of gas, lights on, and always carry chains.  It wouldn't hurt to throw a snow shovel in the trunk too!   Keep driving movements smooth and subtle.  This includes control of the steering wheel, brakes, and accelerator.  Look far ahead and keep a generous distance between you and the vehicle in front of you. Most importantly, if a road is unplowed the maximum speed limit is 35mph ... read more

  Best Christmas Gifts for the Car Lover in Your Life Not sure what to get the car enthusiast in your life?  Shopping for an automotive fan can be hard. Here is a list of our top gift ideas that will impress the car lover in your life. Artwork: A true car enthusiast can not get enough of their car.  When they are not driving, the next best thing is to admire their car on the wall.  A canvas, custom print, or engraved blueprint piece of art makes a great gift. Custom floor mats: There are several companies out there that can customize the floor mats and add the drivers personal style to the finished product.  Compact Portable vacuum:  Car enthusiasts are meticulous when it comes down to the cleanliness of their car.  A portable vacuum cleaner will keep the car in tip-top shape for the open road.   Gift Certificate to the Local Car Wash: A gift Certificate is always a good idea! Wireless Car Charger ... read more

Safety Tips for Driving in the Rain It's beginning to look and feel a lot like RAINY season!   According to the U.S department of transportation, there are nearly 1.2 million auto accidents each year related to weather.  Most of these accidents occur during rainfall.   Here are some tips for driving in the rain: 1.  Slow Down!  Allow more travel time while it is raining.  Traffic will be slower, so don't be in a rush-it is not worth it.  Speeding while driving in the rain will cause hydroplaning.  2.  Turn on your defroster:  Turning on your defroster will prevent the windshield from fogging up, and give you better visibility. 3.  Give extra room:  Give yourself a safe amount of space between vehicles.  The extra room will give you a better reaction time. 4.  Avoid hard braking: Slow down, and give plenty of room so last-minute braking is avoided. 5.  Stay calm if you ar ... read more

October is National Fall Car Care Month Two months out of the year are designated as Car Care Months-April and October.  This makes perfect sense, both months are the beginning of a new season.  Each season will bring on different weather conditions, and we will need to prep our vehicles for any and all conditions headed our way.   In April you will be getting your car ready for spring and summer road trips.  In October you are prepping your car for the extreme weather; rain, sleet, snow...etc.  As we ease into October let's do a quick check car check.  Those summer months of trips to the beach, mountains, and big cities can take a toll on your car.  It is time to give your car some extra attention. Fall 5 checklist! -Check your windshield wipers and make sure they are not cracked.  Give them a test run to make sure they run properly.  Visibility is #1. -Check your vehicle's heater and defroster.  Both are imperati ... read more

Are you ready for some FOOTBALL? The NFL football season is here!  Truth be told you do not have to love football to enjoy tailgating.  Whether you are a sports fanatic or a food fanatic, tailgating is a MUST!  If you are a first-time tailgater or experienced, let's go over the "Tailgating Essentials."Tailgating Essentials: Bluetooth Speaker: Nothing keeps the energy up more than music.  A fully charged portable speaker is compact and easy to pack.  Don't forget to charge your speaker before the big game. Cooler: Investing in a good cooler will be beneficial in the long run. It will keep the food cool and can serve as extra seating when not in use. Folding Chairs: Extra seating is a must!  No one wants to eat their food standing up.  Sit back, relax, and have a good time.   Portable Grill: Now to the most important part--the food!  Grilling and football are the dynamic duo.  A ... read more