Posted on 10/25/2017

Cartoon courtesy P.C. Vey We have welcomed many folks into our shop who could not only tell us what the specific problem is with their vehicle but also how to diagnose it, tell us how long it should take for the repair, and inform us of the part price they found on Rock Auto. Therefore we should be able to fix it in 45 minutes for under $75.00 out the door. How did they come by this detailed knowledge? Why they saw it on YouTube of course! So, to YouTube or not to YouTube? Notwithstanding the ever increasing complexity of design and operation of today's vehicles, a few brave souls venture forward in hopes of saving some money or having a success story for a degree of bragging rights by having diagnosed and effectively repaired their pride and joy for pennies on the dollar. As our friends from down under might say: “Good on ya mate!” While we would not discourage anyone from trying to save some hard earned funds, we would recommend some detailed researc ... read more
Posted on 9/12/2017

Even if you are not an AAA member there are real advantages to having your vehicle serviced at an AAA approved auto repair facility. This is especially true if you happen to be travelling or moving to a new town. Why? There is an old expression that says when you move to a new town the first things you look for are a doctor, a dentist, and a mechanic. While we can't help you with the first two, we can with the last one. A big benefit with AAA is the shop, the equipment, the restrooms, and the technicians have been screened to meet the highest standards prior to your visit. A third party has vetted the overall auto repair facility, on your behalf, before you even moved into town! What exactly does AAA look for and why the high standards? AAA has evolved over the years into an organization that demands a regional not to say national reputation of quality services for its members. This includes the automotive repair industry. The ... read more
Posted on 6/15/2017
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What exactly does ASE stand for and what is the ASE Blue Seal of Excellence Recognized Business Award? We have all seen the familiar gear logos at various repair shops. Shops displaying this logo are required to have at least one technician on duty who has passed at least one of eight disciplines in the Automotive Service Excellence testing procedure and is current in certification. The ASE certification process is well known in the automotive repair industry and sets a standard for classifying technicians achievements in specific fields of expertise. Qualifications include at least two years of experience in the discipline and successful passing of the ASE exam for that field. Recertification is required every five years to maintain the certified status. Technicians who are ASE Certified are considered professionals within their fields and are recognized by wearing the distinctive patches on their uniforms and have their credentials displayed at their place of employment ... read more