Folsom Auto Repair

5, 4, 3, 2, 1: HAPPY NEW YEAR! Can you believe it? It is 2023. The beginning of a new year is full of goal-setting and resolutions. It is time to make a 2023 automotive goal. Creating new habits can be difficult; luckily, we have tips and tools to help you. Avoiding or putting off preventative maintenance will decrease the life expectancy of your vehicle. Not only will it reduce the lifespan of your car, but it will also create a reactive mentality. Setting an automotive goal will shift the car care mindset to proactive vs. reactive. Please do not wait to care for your car till it is a problem. Making a habit part of your lifestyle starts with consistency. Choose one day out of the month to work on your automotive goal. For example, make the first Sunday of the month "Car Care." Below is a list of items to check when working on this goal: -Check windshield wipers -Check headlights -Check the condition of your tires and air pressure -Clean-out middle consol ... read more

12 Days of Christmas Foreign Autohaus Edition We thought it would be fun to have a Foreign Autohaus 12 days of Christmas blog and focus on 12 tips to care for your car during winter. Throw on your Santa hat, and let's get to it. On the first day of Christmas, Foreign Autohaus said to me: Replace your windshield wipers.  On the second day of Christmas, Foreign Autohaus said to me: Rotate your tires. On the third day of Christmas, Foreign Autohaus told me: Keep up on preventive maintenance. On the fourth day of Christmas, Foreign Autohaus said to me: Be prepared with an Emergency Car Kit. On the fifth day of Christmas, Foreign Autohaus told me: Ensure front and rear defrosters are working. On the sixth day of Christmas, Foreign Autohaus said to me: Check headlights and rear lights. On the seventh day of Christmas, Foreign Autohaus told me: Stop and check the spare tire. Make sure your spare tire is not deflated. On the eighth day of Christmas, F ... read more

November is the month of Thanks and Gratitude. Here at Foreign Autohaus, we are grateful for our loyal customers. We took a poll on Social Media and asked our followers and customers, "Give us three reasons you are grateful for your car." We were not shocked by the responses. The repeated answer from all of our followers was convenience. We can all agree that when your car breaks down, it is the biggest disrupter in your life. An inconvenience is putting it lightly. We strive to make our customers' auto repair experience as convenient as possible. Convenience at Foreign Autohaus starts with the ease of scheduling your appointment. Did you know there are two ways to prepare for your next service? You can call us or go online; both are fast and efficient. Making life even more convenient, we have a comfortable waiting area with wifi, coffee, and water. This way, you can work while your car is being serviced. We've got you covered if you need a ride t ... read more

Cha-ching, Cha-ching! The sound you hear every time you pull up to the gas pump. Nationwide everyone is feeling the effects of record-high gas prices. In California, gas prices are reaching a record high for the second time in 2022. Breaking records is fun, but not when it affects our bank accounts. Are you asking yourself: How can I improve my gas mileage? What driving habits affect fuel efficiency? How can I save money at the gas pump? The best place to start is...our driving habits. This is one area we can correct quickly.  1. Slow down; it is not a race!! Avoid accelerating quickly when driving—rapid acceleration and speeding while driving will burn more gas. Refrain from braking at the last minute.  2. Turn off your car. If you are waiting to pick up children from school or practice, turn off your vehicle—an idling car will burn gas. In a recent article, the California Energy Commission states that an idling vehicle can burn as much as ... read more

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

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