Category Archives: Advice for Vehicle Owners

Driving 300,000 Miles Takes More Than An Oil Change: Part 1

When I bought my first car I was ignorant to believe that once the sale was final, all I needed to worry about was gas, oil changes, and insurance! I now know that the sale price of the vehicle is not the only investment. By also investing in truly maintaining my car, I can keep it running smoothly through 300,000 miles or more.

How To Reduce Stress With Your Next Vehicle Repair

Before I married a mechanic, I definitely didn’t know how to make the most of my appointment with an auto mechanic shop, making it a stressful experience. Now that my husband and I own a shop, I’d like to share with you some things I’ve learned that will save you some of the frustration I used to experience.

A Guide to Buying a Used Car

Buying a car, aside from choosing the right college and buying a house, is one of the most expensive purchasing decisions we make, and yet so many of us are in the dark as to what to look for. We often have more questions than we find answers, so I’d like to help ease your mind a little when making that all important decision.

Should I Price Shop for Auto Repair?

By price shopping, we recognize that you’ll often save money in the short-term, but we believe you might spend more in the long term. There’s that old (and true) idea that you often get what you pay for. In automotive repair, there’s a lot that you should want to “get.”

6 Qualities to Look for in an Auto Mechanic Shop

Building a relationship with your mechanic is important because someone who is familiar with your vehicle, its maintenance and repair history, and who knows you will be more likely to take the greatest care of you and your car. This trusting relationship will reduce the stress of the inevitable major repair and you’ll be able to drive down the road confident in your vehicle’s performance and safety.

Should I Repair or Replace My Vehicle?

As vehicles age (or face expensive repairs), many people weigh repair costs against the vehicle’s worth. If the repair cost exceeds the vehicle’s worth, they will often sell or trade in the vehicle. By “worth” here, we’re referring to resale value. I recommend a different approach. Blue Book and Edmunds (etc.) can help you decide what to sell yourContinue reading “Should I Repair or Replace My Vehicle?”

Dollars & Sense: Are Free (or Cheap) Diagnostics a Myth?

Good thing automotive diagnostic testing and evaluation is free or at least cheap, right? Diagnostics, or the process of finding a fault, is……..a process. A good mechanic will use many different resources and tools to navigate this process based on the detailed description of the problem he derives from the customer. You will not get an accurate outcome from a shop who does this on the cheap.

Dollars & Sense: 3 Keys to Smart Auto Care

We’ve all been there. The light on your dashboard comes on and you get a slight sinking feeling in your stomach. You’re busy, money’s tight, and maybe you’re just not a car person so dealing with the problem makes you a little apprehensive. How do I know if my mechanic is giving me quality service for a fair price?