Category: Automotive

Tips in Choosing an Auto Repair Shop

There is no denying that automobiles are a necessity in today’s world. With so many different kinds of vehicles around and in so many numbers, you may think that finding an auto repair shop can’t be that difficult. But here’s a reality check – it is not always easy to find a reliable auto repair shop. Sure, you may find one on every corner on every street, but you can’t vouch for all of them. The question that arises here is – what constitutes the best auto repair shop?

Well, it depends on several factors, including customer service, experience, price rates, etc. In this blog post, we present some tips that will help you select the best auto repair shop in your area.

Ask Around for Recommendations

The oldest and safest way to know more about a particular vehicle repair shop is by asking other people. Just as your choice for the best doctor, lawyer, or hairstylist may result from the suggestions of your friends and family, you can apply the same approach to help you select the best auto repair shop. It is always best to consult friends or relatives that often go to auto shops to have their cars repaired. They will probably have more ideas about how the auto repairing business works and will guide you better to help you choose an auto repair shop that will get your work done efficiently and at a decent cost.

Always ask people you trust the most and are those who are willing to offer genuine help. The best people to ask for recommendations are your workmates, neighbors, friends, or family.

Check the Website and Go Through Public Reviews

In this information age, it has become a lot easier to post your personal views and suggestions online – on Facebook, Twitter, etc. For instance, if you are not satisfied with a company’s service, you can share your views on their Facebook page and let the world know about it. In other words, word of mouth has become increasingly important and powerful. You can easily judge an auto repair’s reputation by simply going through their customer reviews. The more positive feedback, the better the repair shop is.

One thing you should be aware of is that the company is usually in control of what is being said about them on their website or social media page. For a more genuine insight, check out the shop’s Google reviews, as those can’t be doctored by the company.

Compare the Price Range of Vehicle Repairs

Before you take your car to an auto body repair shop, make sure that you have an estimate about the price range of auto repairs in your state/locality. Keeping this in mind, you can shortlist all those auto repair shops that follow the average rate.

That being said, the prices may vary depending on the popularity and the level of services offered by a shop. Some auto repair shops may charge higher than others. If that’s the case, then find out why that is so. The most likely reason is they offer top-notch services to their customers. Avoid auto-repair shops that may offer services at a too-good-to-be-true price range. Many of these involve unethical mechanics that may trap you in a car repair scam. For example, these mechanics may provide you with a reasonable verbal quote. But when you come back to pick your car, they may drastically raise the final bill to more than the estimated amount. This may leave you with no option but to pay additional sums of money.

Location of the Shop

Keep in mind that the price of the services offered by a repair shop may change depending on its location. For instance, repair shops in posh neighborhoods will charge more compared to others. That’s because residents of these upscale localities own affluent cars and have the financial strength to settle expensive repair bills.

Take into account the locality before choosing an auto repair shop. This will save you from being caught off guard by the bill at the time of payment. Also, it is better to follow the approach of “best-yet-affordable” when looking for an ideal auto body shop.

Ask for License and Certification

To be on the safe side, always ask for important documents from the mechanic or the manager of the auto shop. These documents should validate their expertise in the field. This will put you at ease, knowing that your car is in capable hands. Having a well-qualified and certified mechanic will also lower the risk of bad car repair jobs.

Generally, auto mechanics require ASE certification. To receive authorized certification, interested individuals need to take a computer-based exam and hands-on automotive repair.

Know Your Warranty

If your car is still under warranty, you may need to have the repair performed by the dealer. auto warranties vary, but there is a lack of clarity surrounding who can service your car and what parts can be used to repair it. This means that in some cases, you may not be able to choose a repair shop that isn’t affiliated with the dealership. Violating your warranty can mean that your car is no longer covered under the agreement. If you’re in doubt, call the dealer for more information.

Find a Shop That Specializes in Your Car

Whether you own a Toyota or a Tesla, it makes sense to find a repair shop that knows your vehicle. Shops that specialize in specific manufacturers have the most up-to-date training and equipment for working on those vehicles. This can be especially important for major repairs.

Check the qualifications of the technicians

Apart from the shop’s reputation, you would also want to check on the qualifications of the mechanics it employs. A shop whose workers who have been there for years usually indicates good working conditions and assures you that these technicians know what they are doing.

Also, observe if the staff are professional and courteous. Beware of shops that don’t show concern toward their customer’s issues and don’t take the time to explain the nature of the problem; they will insist on making unnecessary repairs and replacements just to pad your repair bill.

Shops with awards displayed prominently on their shelves are a nice confidence-building measure, but those accolades are not always a guarantee of stellar service. At the very least, see to it that the business is legitimate, with the necessary permits displayed. This means that the business is duly registered, which protects your rights as a customer in case disputes arise over the services they rendered.

Trust your gut feeling

Above all else, always follow your instincts. If you feel that something is off with the shop you’re eyeing, despite your research and the glowing testimonials, walk away. Your gut feeling can often be triggered by something you may have noticed at the shop, such as hearing an unsatisfied client complain of a delay in their service.

Take note of the number of customers you see in the shop at any given time: this might give you an idea about how many people trust the business for their services. A trusted auto repair shop will likely be buzzing with activity on account of good business. Although you shouldn’t automatically dismiss body shops that have the cheapest rates, a healthy dose of skepticism won’t hurt.

TRANSMISSION ALIGNMENT SERVICES

Correctly aligned tires will reduce tire wear, and ensure that your vehicle travels straight and true (without “pulling” to one side). Your tires should be checked during routine maintenance, but if you notice uneven tire wear or your car is pulling to one side, you should have a qualified automotive technician examine your car

Alignment

Wheel alignment (or simply alignment) is standard car maintenance that involves adjusting the angles of the wheels so that they are set to the manufacturer’s specifications. The main purpose is to let the suspension and the steering systems operate at their desired angles – this reduces tire wear. Alignment is a complicated process and not all mechanics get it right

REPAIR PAINT & REFINISHING

repair paint & refinishing services include:

Car Detailing

Color Matching

Complete Vehicle Detailing

Custom Painting

Frame and Unibody Alignment

Frame Straightening

Free Estimates

Glass Repair

Metal Fabrication

Painting and Minor Body Work

Paintless Dent Removal

Pin Striping

Plastic Bumper Repair

Refinishing

Refurbishing

Repair Sheet Metal Damage

Replace Bumpers

Replace Fenders

Replace Grills

Replace Headlights

Replace Hoods

Restoration

Rim & Wheel Repair and Replacement

Rock & Chip Repair

Rust Repair

Scratch Removal

Specialty Body Repair

Total Loss Assessments

Wheel Alignments and Balancing

Window Replacement

Windshield

Work with all insurance companies

TRANSMISSION BRAKES & BRAKE REPAIR

provide cost-effective recommendations and get your vehicle up and running smoothly. Your brakes are a vital safety feature, so if you’re unsure of their integrity, please get in touch with us right away!

Anti-Lock Brake System

Anti-lock Brake Systems (ABS) ensure that the wheels don’t stop rotating during braking, preventing the car from skidding and offering greater control. If your ABS light comes on

Brake Fluid Flushes

Brake fluid will absorb water from the air over time, causing the brake system to become less effective and the fluid to become corrosive, possibly damaging the system. It is important to perform a brake fluid flush regularly to ensure that your vehicle is using fresh fluid

Brake Hoses

A brake hose is a tube carrying pressurized brake fluid from the master cylinder to the brakes. A crushed hose can cause a lagged or slow brake, and a leak in the hose can cause the brake, or the entire brake system, to fail. These don’t need to be replaced often, but should be replaced at the first sign of cracking or wear.

Brake Pad & Shoe Replacement

Brake pad problems can usually be identified by squealing brakes. If your brake pads deteriorate completely, you’ll hear a grinding metal-on-metal sound when braking, meaning that it’s too late and you’re ruining your rotors or drums! Those with knowledge of auto repair may be able to fix this at home

Should I Fix Up or Trade Up My Old Car?

Your car broke down, and now you’re faced with a high repair bill. It’s not the first time this has happened, and you’re getting tired of pouring money into an aging machine. A new car would be nice, but is that the smartest decision? Would you be better off fixing your current ride, or is it really time to buy another one? There’s no clear-cut answer to these questions, but we can show the pros and cons for each option to help you make a more informed decision.

The Costs of Wear and Tear

Even if you’ve taken good care of your car, some high-priced repairs are unavoidable, sometimes due to excessive wear or time itself. Rubber belts and hoses dry out and crack, metal on rotors warp or wear too thin, and electrical parts stop working. Wear-and-tear items such as axle boots, belts and brake rotors will eventually need to be replaced. The timing belt has long been a big-ticket item on high-mileage cars. On many cars, it needs to be replaced at around 100,000 miles. Dealership service advisers will often recommend replacing the water pump and the other drive belts in the car at this point. This “timing belt package” can cost between $600 and $1,000. Repairs such as this begin to surface between 90,000 and 120,000 miles.

Arguments for Fixing Up

Buying a new car may not be right for you, for budgetary or other reasons. Here are a few examples of why it might be a good idea to get the repairs done

It is almost always less expensive to repair a car than buy a new one.

Although something as severe as a blown motor or a failed transmission will run you between $3,000 and $7,000 to replace at a dealership, such repairs still don’t cost as much as buying a new car. That $3,000 or $7,000 would certainly make a nice down payment, but then there are the monthly payments to consider. You can perhaps purchase a used car for that much, but just keep in mind that another used car could come with its own set of issues.

Insurance and registration fees will be higher on a new car.

A new car typically loses an estimated 22 percent of its value in the first year. Your car has already taken that depreciation hit.

You really need the car to last a while longer. Let’s say you were planning on getting a new car in a year or two, but it broke down earlier than expected. Repairing it now will help you stay on the road and keep you from making a hasty new car purchase. It will also give you more time to save up and get your finances in order.

You have a sentimental attachment to your car. Maybe it was your first car, a gift from a loved one, or a dream car you finally were able to purchase. For you, buying a new car would mean giving up an old friend. This is not the strongest argument for fixing it up, but it’s a real one.

Arguments for Buying a New Car

You swore you wouldn’t put another penny into your old car after that last repair. But buying a new car seems like an intimidating prospect. Here are a few reasons why buying a new car might be the way to go.

You don’t want to fret about future breakdowns. Old cars can be unpredictable. Repairing a single problem with an older car doesn’t guarantee that another breakdown won’t happen with another part or system. If you buy a new car, its warranty means you’ll have at least three years (and often far longer) before you have to worry about paying for any major repairs. Even buying a more reliable used car, such as a certified pre-owned vehicle, is enough to bring back some peace of mind.

You’re tired of the constant trips to the repair shop. Some things don’t get fixed the first time around, while others seem to need constant attention. Either way, trips to the mechanic are costing you too much money and time away from work or family.

You’re fed up with your old car. Perhaps it’s so beat that it embarrasses you. It rattles like crazy. Or you have to bang on the A/C to get it working. All these are reasons to move one. Take a look at your budget and make an honest assessment of your financial situation. Let the Edmunds suite of auto calculators do the math for you.

You want something safer. New cars have modern safety equipment. Features such as automatic emergency braking, backup cameras, and blind-spot monitoring are increasingly becoming standard fare on new vehicles.

Performance Automotive

offer far more than automotive repairs and tires. The biggest thing that sets apart is that offer a full line of aftermarket products and services from lift kits to tires and wheels, performance upgrades, and hot rod parts. From mild to wild, Ace is your place for auto customization.

TRANSMISSION REPAIR

If you want your car to be in top shape, you have to a good care of its transmission system. Therefore, when your transmission begins to fail, you must get it repaired as quickly as possible.

The main goal of auto repair shop is to provide customers with affordable and reliable transmission repair service they deserve. certified technicians pledge to work as long as needed to get your transmission running once more, regardless of how damaged it might be.

technicians determine that your transmission cannot be fixed, they’ll replace it with a new one in a timely manner. No job is too big or too small for our auto repair shop

If you’ve noticed, as of late, that there might be something wrong with your transmission, don’t waste any more time,

auto repair shop

auto mechanics are among the best in the industry. If you have never been to our friendly, family-owned auto service facility before

doing four things very well, which include:

can proudly say our ASE-Certified team of auto mechanics and service advisors do a terrific job at fixing cars and fleet vehicles.

go the extra mile for customers; striving to always be helpful and provide a terrific customer service experience.

are deeply involved in community and embrace neighbors, fellow business owners, and friends as part of extended family.

True to what name represents, are devoted to the ancient principles of liberty: virtue, faith, wisdom, and courage.

have found over the years that there is great satisfaction in daily work of serving others. There is a deep sense of pride knowing that can bring a dead car back to life

make the world a better place, one car repair at a time, by helping families get to work and school on time. understand that your vehicles are the keys to your independence; that is why offer loaner cars, a shuttle service, and other amenities that will provide a stress-free auto repair experience.