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September 2019

auto repair Philadelphia, PA

The Honesty In Auto Repair: Your Fears Realized

By | Auto Repair | No Comments

There are a lot of things to be afraid of in today’s world and perhaps you have a variety of fears. You might be afraid of enclosed spaces, for example. You’re likely afraid of things happening to your children. And you could even be afraid of getting auto repair in Philadelphia, PA. Why is that? Everyone has to do it at some time or another. It’s usually because of the horror stories you’ve heard about auto repair technicians. Are they being honest with you or telling you something is wrong when it isn’t? Are they charging you way too much for a part you don’t really need? IF you don’t know a lot about vehicles, there’s no way for you to tell for sure. Here are a few was to waylay your fears.

How Honest Mechanics Operate

IF you run into a mechanic that is trying to ‘pull one over on you,’ they might hype up a service by inserting a bunch of industry lingo you don’t understand. They might also tell you that you need a certain repair right away and that if you don’t, your car is going to die very soon. Repairs aren’t usually a dire emergency and if they are, you usually will notice signs yourself and bring it in. Honest mechanics, on the other hand, will be willing to talk in your language, explain things intently, and even show you the things they are talking about on your vehicle. They will give you quotes in writing that show you how much parts cost, how much labor costs, and what the bottom line will be.

Recognizing Honest

It can be hard to recognize honesty when you see it because, unfortunately, there are a lot of people out there who are very good at lying. If you don’t know much about cars, you can start by reading your owner’s manual. There’s nothing better than an informed customer if you really want to recognize dishonesty when you see it. You are also always capable of getting a second opinion. IF you have any doubts at all, walk away, go to another mechanic, and see what they have to say. Honest mechanics will communicate thoroughly with you before, during, and even after a repair because they have nothing to hide.

When you are looking for honesty in auto repair in Philadelphia, PA, you don’t have to look any further than Schafer’s Auto Center. At SAR, we want you to feel completely comfortable with everything we do from start to finish. If we find something wrong with your vehicle, we’ll let you know, show you what we suggest, and explain anything you need so you know what’s going on at all times. Give us a call at (215) 755-1270 to set up an appointment or visit with us in person at 1924 S Columbus Blvd Philadelphia, PA 19148. Our mechanics are the cream of the crop and we don’t make recommendations we wouldn’t make to our own family members.

auto repair in Philadelphia, PA

Is Your Check Engine Light On?

By | Auto Maintenance | No Comments

You likely rely on your vehicle to get you places on a daily basis. You might take its health for granted…until something goes wrong. When you see that check engine light go on and you think you might need auto repair in Philadelphia, PA, you groan. Keep in mind that cars are more powerful, get better gas mileage, and have better technology now than every before. That also means that your car is more complicated than past cars were. Computer systems are faster and more accurate within your vehicle. Parts, just like on anything else, can wear out. Your car is trying to let you know that something is going wrong within it when the check engine light comes on, even if it feels like it is driving just fine. Continuing on with your week and ignoring that light isn’t a good idea.

It’s never recommended to drive with a check engine light on or flashing. You don’t know if it’s a malfunction within the light, a fluke, or if something’s really wrong. If you’re not a car expert, you won’t know until you have someone look at it. It’s in your best interest to make an appointment as soon as possible to have the issue, whatever it might be, diagnosed and repaired.

Take a look at your owner’s manual to see what possibilities there are for the check engine light to be on. Some vehicles can turn on that light if, for example, the gas cap is loose or hasn’t been fully clicked into place. You certainly don’t want to waste time (and possibly money on diagnostics) for something you could fix so easily yourself. Before you run to professionals, check the little things of that nature and once you’re sure that’s not helping, you definitely need to get help.

Before something goes really wrong, that check engine light will warn you. Ignoring it means you’re getting closer and closer to something going really wrong. Ignoring the light is like playing with time. You know something could go wrong at any minute and the more you drive your vehicle, the closer you are to that minute.

The professionals at Schafer’s Auto Center take pride in auto repair in Philadelphia, PA of any kind. When you need an oil change (which is one reason the check engine light might go on, by the way) or if you need new tires, we’re here for you. If you have a check engine light or another warning on your dash, we can diagnose and fix that for you as well. Give us a call at (215) 755-1270, tell us what’s going on with your vehicle and when you’d like to bring it to us for repairs or maintenance. Then, stop by our shop at 1924 S Columbus Blvd Philadelphia, PA 19148 and we’ll give you the fastest service possible so you can go about your day with a safe vehicle back in working order without any more warning lights on.

Philadelphia, PA auto repair

Choosing Auto Repair For Your Needs

By | Auto Repair | No Comments

Everyone who owns a vehicle, no matter what type it might be, will need to have Philadelphia, PA auto repair at some point. Before you have a dire need, it’s nice to have a shop picked out. You’ll need oil changes regularly and it’s smart to have your tires rotated as well. Here are a few tips for choosing an auto repair shops to suit your needs.

Convenience

While you’ll want a lot of practical things from your shop, convenience is likely high on the list as well. You need a shop that is located close to work, close to home, or some place in the middle. It’s not convenient for you to take more time out of your day to drive all the way across town to a shop, get repairs, and then drive all the way back. It’s much easier if you have a shop in a good location.

The Right Services

You wouldn’t go to an auto body shop for an oil change because they primarily work on car bodies after someone’s in an accident. It’s best to go to an auto repair shop that has the services you need. You know you’ll want oil changes and that’s pretty standard. But perhaps you want a car shop that also works on brakes and other things your vehicle will likely need in the future. Check the service list to make sure they have a variety of services to make sure you can get what you need in the same place.

Trustworthy Technicians

This is probably the hardest thing on the list because if you don’t know a lot about cars, it’s hard to know who’s telling the truth and who’s not. Ask for recommendations from friends in the area and look up reviews online (outside of car shop websites) to find out who is doing a good job and comes highly recommended within the community. If there are a lot of complaints against a shop, avoid it. You don’t want to have to add your own complaint along with others.

These tips will help you find the right Philadelphia, PA auto repair for your needs with as much ease as possible. You aren’t going to want to spend a lot of time searching, but when you have a need for a shop, it’s good to be prepared so you know where to go and don’t have to waste time searching then. The representatives at Schafer’s Auto Center are always here to help. We want the best for you and your vehicle. We’re honest about what needs to be done and we only recommend things that we would do to our own vehicles if we were in your position. Give us a call for an appointment at (215) 755-1270 and ask any questions you have. We can also talk to you in person when you visit our shop at 1924 S Columbus Blvd Philadelphia, PA 19148. We will give advice, make recommendations, and help in any way we can.

auto repair in Philadelphia

Tips For Keeping Up With Auto Repair

By | Auto Repair | No Comments

There are a lot of things to keep up with in your life. You have a work schedule, a family life, and plenty of other commitments. It’s hard to work auto repair in Philadelphia, PA into the picture as well. You know your vehicle needs regular maintenance, like oil changes and tire rotations, but how do you remember when those things have to occur with everything else going on? Here are a few tips to help you keep up with the important auto repair reminders.

Place Calendar Reminders

If you have a wall calendar at home, or exclusively use your calendar on your phone, put a reminder in there to check your mileage every three months or so. If you’re close to needing an oil change, schedule the appointment. If you have miles left, move the reminder back a few weeks or a month and check again there.

Check The Miles

Every time you get gas in your vehicle, there are certain things you might do then as well. Perhaps you reset the trip monitor so you know how many miles you’ve driven on that tank. Maybe you write down how many miles per gallon you got on that tank so you know your vehicle is running efficiently. Whenever you get gas, also make it a habit to check your current mileage. You can judge whether you need an oil change, or, if you are about to hit a milestone, check what other maintenance items you need.

Ask Mechanics

If you are able to at least keep track of when you need oil changes, the technicians at your auto repair shop can help figure the rest out. They’re like living owner’s manuals and they know at what mileage you need to do certain things to keep your vehicle running well. Ask them to remind you when things need to be done. As long as you choose a trusted shop, you can believe them when they tell you certain things are necessary.

Designate It

You’re not the car person in your family and you know it. You’re much better at baking, cooking, and other things. It’s okay and even recommended to share responsibilities within a family. If you know you’re not going to remember things about your vehicle, ask your spouse to keep an eye on what needs to get done and when.

These are a few tips to help you take care of your vehicle with the right auto repair in Philadelphia, PA at the right time. Whatever vehicle you have, it was an investment and you want to make sure it lasts and stays in good condition without a lot of expenses that pile up along the way. Contact the experts at Schafer’s Auto Center for any regular maintenance or repairs you need. We can also help you keep track of things that need to get done at certain intervals. Give us a call at (215) 755-1270 for an appointment and visit our shop at 1924 S Columbus Blvd Philadelphia, PA 19148.

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