Japan Auto Repair, Inc. Frequently Asked Questions

(415) 347-5928
48 Front Street
San Rafael, CA 94901
Japan Auto Repair's mechanics participate in ongoing training programs.
Q: How long will it take to fix my car?
A: "If you bring in your car in the morning, you can usually pick it up that afternoon. The only time it takes longer is when we need to special order parts—that can take a couple of days."
Q: How often should I change my oil?
A: "For newer cars and cars that have less than 100,000 miles, you should change the oil every 5,000 miles. After 100,000 miles, you should change the oil at least every 4,000 miles. As cars start to get older, oil can get into the crankcase and damage the engine, so frequent oil changes are important."
Q: Why do Japanese vehicles seem to run longer and better than others?
A: "We believe it’s because the quality of the parts is better. Small companies manufacture the parts and send them to car manufacturers, and these companies have very high standards—if the parts aren’t good, they reject them."
Q: Why is it better to bring my Japanese car to a specialist repair shop?
A: "A repair shop that specializes in one type of car will often have the experience to diagnose and fix common problems much faster than a general auto shop."
Q: Do you perform pre-buyer inspections on vehicles?
A: "Yes, and we can usually do them the same day. We charge $100 for a thorough inspection that takes about an hour. We’ll look at the car, tell you how well maintained it is and give you advice on what to do next."