Las Vegas Auto Repair

   The timing belt is similar to the chain on a bicycle; it works to keep all of your vehicle's moving internal parts running in sync. Timing belts are black rubber with a bit of nylon and typically need to be replaced over time. They're a similar construction to a clothing belt, but with square teeth or cogs. If the timing belt breaks or becomes worn, multiple problems will occur in a domino effect. Without the timing belt, the combustion's timing reaction will be off. The valves will not open at the right time and can become severely damaged. The air and fuel mixture will not be ignited at the right time, and in severe cases, may cause a misfire. Since the timing belt and water pump work hand in hand, they're usually replaced during the same service. Replacement service can restore the performance and functionality of your vehicle. Most modern cars have a timing chain that doesn't need replacement, but you should stay informed if you're driving an ol ... read more

Since side mirrors stick out from the car’s body, they’re more prone to accidental damage. Side mirrors can end up dangling loosely off the door or end up breaking off completely. Side mirrors do not impact the functionality of the vehicle; they are designed to provide additional visibility of up to 200 feet behind the car. Side mirrors increase the driving experience by helping you park, turn, and switch lanes. Is it illegal to drive your car without one? The legality of the side mirror varies from state to state.  Some states require that both side mirrors be present and fully functional to operate your vehicle legally. However, it’s legal in most states to drive if one side mirror is damaged as long as the second side mirror is functional and the rearview mirror is intact. If there is cargo blocking the visibility of the rearview mirror, some states require that both side-view mirrors are operational.  Whether one of your mirrors has a small crack or is ... read more

If you have an Asian Imported car, winter preparation varies slightly from its American-made counterpart. In previous years, we have given you tips to prepare your import for colder weather. Here we have combined those tips into one comprehensive list. Don’t trust just any car maintenance shop; for routine maintenance on your Asian import in Las Vegas, visit us at Asian Imports Plus. Examine Belts and Hoses Now that temperatures have begun to drop and will continue to do so for a while longer yet, check your belts and hoses for wear and tear that can be exacerbated by below freezing temperatures. If you are unsure how to check these yourself, have an import specialist take a look at them. Check Battery Don’t forget about your import’s battery Winter is the ideal time to make sure that your battery’s posts and connections are corrosion ... read more

If you are like most people, you are always up for ways to save money, and car repair is one of those areas where it costs money every once in a while (yes, even on your Asian import vehicle that is typically super reliable). We don’t blame you if you think to yourself from time to time, “I wish I could just do this myself,” when it comes to vehicle repairs. But should you attempt to be your own car mechanic? Let’s take a quick look and you can decide for yourself. Qualities you should possess First of all, let’s look at some of the basic qualities you should possess if you’re going to do your own car repairs. An independent streak Let’s face it. You’re definitely branching off the beaten path in pursuing the DIY option for the repairs on your Toyota or Honda (or whatever vehicle you need to fix). That’s ok, an independent streak is part of what makes us Americans. Not everyone ... read more

If you’re not trained in car mechanics, you may find it to be a puzzling thing to know exactly when the noise or rattle or smell coming from your car is just a fluke or something serious that you should pay attention to. It’s kind of like knowing when to go to the doctor. Do you go get checked out for that abdominal pain, or do you say to yourself, “It’s nothing, it’ll pass”? Making the wrong judgment call when it’s appendicitis is a hugely different thing than when you have a bit of gas or bloating. We’ve seen the same gamut of personality types when it comes to dealing with a vehicle that needs fixing. Here are a couple of the different profiles that we’ve seen for people’s approach to discovering what’s wrong with the vehicle. You take your car in for every little sniffle This person is someone who takes note of every tiny new sound, rattle, or vibration that the car makes, and brings it t ... read more

Owning a Toyota is typically a fabulous experience for most drivers. Toyota’s reliability and longevity combine to make a car that drives for a long time while needing minimal repair. However, some Toyotas still need repairing, and when you work in a car repair shop that specializes in foreign car repair, you tend to see a lot of the same issues over and over again. In this blog post, we’d like to cover just a few of the Toyota repair issues that seem to be more frequent than others. If you have any of these issues with your vehicle, we will be glad to take a look and get your repair done quickly and accurately. After all, we’ve probably done each of these repairs more than a few times. Anti-Lock Brakes on the 2006-2007 Highlander Hybrid If you have a 2006-2007 Highlander Hybrid, you may run into an issue where your anti-lock brakes fail. Typically you’ll know that your anti-lock bra ... read more

If you are the owner of an Asian-made car, you’ve made a great decision! If you use Asian imports to service your Toyota, Honda or Hyundia, you’ve made another great decision. We service Asian imports of all types and domestic vehicles too! We service cars, trucks, and motorcycles. Call today for a maintenance appointment. When you want a true look at resale value of a car, we all know to go to the Kelley Blue Book. If you look up the top ten cars with the highest resale values in 2016, you will see that the five on the top sports cars have been taken by Asian cars. The top two spots are held by Toyota, with the Tacoma at the top, followed by the 4Runner. The Toyota Tundra comes in at number six and the Subaru WRX lands at number seven. The top ten is rounded out by the Subaru Forester. According to Bankrate, the top performers in resale value according to their class and in the subcompact class, the Honda Fit comes out on top. In the compact class, the Honda Civic is tops and the ... read more

If you know something about cars, you’ll know that even the most modern car needs a good tune-up every so often. We will look at some basic tune-up oriented questions and try to provide answers! Your mechanic at Asian Imports in Las Vegas wants your car to run the best it can, and to last you as long as it can. Check out our current promotions and come in and meet us! How often do I need a tune-up? In older cars, it was recommended that you get a tune-up every year or so, but now mechanics pay attention more to the milage than to the calendar. If your car was built after the 1980s, you will need to have it tuned up every 15,000 miles. So, depending on how many miles you drive a year, you can have a tune-up more or less frequently. What is involved in a tune-up? Usually, a tune-up will replace items in your car’s engine that take the most wear. This includes items such as the air filter and fuel filter, spark plugs and rotors (if present), and checking on items such as f ... read more

There is only about a month left before kids have to head back to school, and if you haven’t taken your summer vacation yet, you may be planning on squeezing in a road trip while you still can. Your mechanic from Asian import cars, trucks, and motorcycles has some advice for you to get your car ready for a road trip. In this two-part blog, we’ll review some steps to take before you hit the road. Things to Do to Get the Car Ready Driving around the western states often means driving for hours between towns. The last thing you want on a road trip is to break down when you’re hours from anywhere. Have your oil changed and all your fluids and belts checked before embarking on a road trip. Make sure your tires are up to the job. Make sure your spare tires is ready for action. A few weeks before you plan on leaving, have your spare tire checked. Make sure your jack is in place and has all of its parts. A can of emergency flat fixer foam is not a bad thing to have in th ... read more

If you’ve decided to break out of Vegas and hit the road before the summer is over, you need to be prepared for any emergencies that might arise. Crossing the desert can be dangerous if you go off the main highways to explore the gorgeous canyons or desert that lies between us and just about any destination. Be sure to have your car tuned up and that all of the fluids are topped off by your mechanic at Asian Imports. You should also make sure that you’ve checked your tires and spare tire. Once you’ve made sure your vehicle is roadworthy, you’ll want to make sure you pack a few things to take along to be ready for any emergencies. Desert Emergencies Just like if you were to travel in the mountains during the winter, you’ll want to make sure you have survival supplies, should you break down in the unforgiving desert. Any survival kit should have extra water, food, and protection from the elements. In the desert, the heat will wear your down and dehydrate you quickly. Wate ... read more