Q: What kind of work do you do?
A: "We do general automotive service and repair—basically everything except tires and smog checks. We handle regularly scheduled maintenance, brake work, suspension work, engines, electrical systems, and computer diagnostics."
Q: Why are your prices different from other repair shops?
A: "Usually, it comes down to parts. There are a wide variety of parts available, and you can often find a cheaper part, but it’ll end up costing you more in the long run because it has to be replaced sooner. We use only high-quality parts. But sometimes it’s also the labor. Some shops hire less-qualified, less-experienced mechanics and don’t keep them updated on the latest technologies. That allows them to charge less, but it also means more mistakes."
Q: Maintenance lights are flashing on my dashboard. What does that mean? What will it cost to fix?
A: "Most cars have two types of engine warning lights. One is a 'maintenance required' light. Usually, that just means it’s time to change your oil. The second is the 'check engine' light. Most of the time it’s not serious—the computer has just detected a minor problem—but minor problems are often a warning of imminent engine failure. When the check engine light comes on, you need to promptly take it to a qualified shop to find out exactly what’s wrong. We can’t tell you what it’ll cost to fix until we diagnose the problem, but once we do, we’ll talk to you before doing any work and give you an estimate so you can make a decision on how to proceed. We won’t surprise you with a big bill at the end."
Q: What diagnostic equipment do you use?
A: "We have all the current diagnostic equipment to work on most vehicles in-house. We can diagnose what’s wrong when your check engine light comes on, and we have the proper equipment to diagnose problems with the computers in newer cars."
Q: Do you work on hybrid cars?
A: "Yes, we’re trained on the latest hybrid technologies."
Q: Do you do same-day service?
A: "Yes, on routine maintenance and most repair jobs, but we can’t be sure until you bring in the car. Sometimes, especially with older cars, we have to order parts, and that can take some time. Depending on the problem, you can take the car home again and bring it back on a later date when the parts are ready. But we always try to get the job done that same day, and we usually succeed."
Q: Are you a Green shop?
A: "Automotive repair isn’t an environmentally friendly activity, but we’re as Green as we can be. We make sure oil and cleaners are disposed of properly, and we use environmentally safe and biodegradable products whenever we can."
Q: Do you offer loaner cars?
A: "No, but we do have a discount program with a rental car company and can make arrangements if necessary."