Auto Repair Guide for Everyday Car Owners
If you own a vehicle in El Paso, TX, you won’t be able to put off auto repair and maintenance for long. Your vehicle relies on regular service from professional mechanics; if you neglect these service needs, it won’t be long until your car runs into serious trouble.
However, it can be surprisingly hard to pick a business to handle this work in El Paso. Auto repair shops are common in this part of Texas, but not all of these shops will deliver when it comes to quality and value. Fortunately, our guide to the basics of car repair work — and our tips on finding the right shop for your next repair appointment — can help.
Dealerships vs. Local Auto Repair Shops: Which Is Right for You?
When you need auto repair in El Paso, your first step should be choosing what type of business should handle this job. Drivers in this area can choose one of two basic service options:
Dealerships
If you purchased your vehicle at a dealership, your first instinct might be to go back there for car repair and maintenance work. But while that’s certainly an understandable decision, it might not be in your best interest.
Admittedly, dealership service won’t be low quality — after all, these businesses know how to provide service for the automotive brands they sell. But if you go this route, keep in mind that many dealerships use their brand names as an excuse to charge sky-high prices. Along with that, the service offered at your dealership won’t necessarily be superior to what you’d find elsewhere.
Auto Repair Shops
If you don’t want to visit your dealership for auto repair service, you’ll need to visit a local auto repair shop for this work. These businesses will almost always offer better rates than dealerships, making them the right choice for many motorists in the area. Plus, their workmanship will often be just as good as (if not better than) what your dealership brings to the table.
Unfortunately, many El Paso drivers don’t think they can benefit from auto repair shop service; instead, they believe going anywhere but their dealership for maintenance or repairs will void their warranty. Though this is a widespread belief, it’s not a realistic one — American dealerships aren’t permitted to change their warranty coverage based on where their customers go for auto service. Because of that, there’s nothing stopping you from visiting a local auto repair shop for the services you need (and saving money in the process)!
Know How To Save on Auto Repair
While local auto shops typically have lower rates than dealerships, not every El Paso auto repair shop will offer equally good deals to their customers. To save as much as possible on your next auto repair appointment, look for shops that help you save money by offering:
Online Coupons
El Paso’s best auto shops don’t want their customers struggling to afford auto repair work — these businesses are a part of the community too. With that in mind, these shops make it easy for their clients to cut costs by offering a selection of valuable coupons. If you need any type of auto repair or maintenance work, checking your shop’s coupon page could make these services far more affordable.
Financing Options
Though coupons can go a long way toward reducing your auto repair expenses, these deals alone may not be enough to make this work affordable. Fortunately, your auto shop of choice might be able to help you save even more with the help of financing options. These options can give you a dedicated line of credit for maintenance and repair work, along with perks such as low monthly payments and no annual fees.
Service Quotes
Even if a shop offers the benefits listed above, it won’t be much help if this business also charges exorbitant prices — especially if you aren’t aware of that fact before agreeing to get service there. To avoid this issue, make sure your shop of choice provides quotes for its services. That way, you’ll know exactly what you’re getting into before work starts on your vehicle.
Tips on Avoiding Scams and Rip-Offs
By making the decision to look at auto repair shops instead of dealerships, you’ve already taken a big step toward getting exceptional (and affordable) El Paso auto repair. But not every auto shop is truly reputable, and that means you shouldn’t decide just yet. Instead, be sure to:
Ask for Advice
When a shop takes advantage of its customers, it won’t have a good reputation among people in the area. Because of that, it’s always wise to ask your friends and family about their experiences with local auto shops. You can also get valuable information about shops in the area by checking online reviews.
Look for Quotes
If a business plans to blindside you with high prices, they won’t tell you what these prices are up front. But when an auto shop offers quotes for its services, you’ll have no trouble comparing its prices to rates at other shops in the area. Thus, looking for businesses that provide this form of transparent pricing is always a good idea.
Avoid National Chains
As you know, dealerships won’t help you save money on auto repair work. That said, you’ll also want to avoid large chains for these services — due to their sky-high sales goals, these businesses will never have your best interests in mind. To get convenient service without breaking the bank, make a point of finding a smaller, local chain for auto repairs.
What Your Car Needs at Each Mileage Milestone
Every vehicle’s maintenance needs are different, and that means you’ll want to consult your car’s manual for guidance when it comes to scheduling maintenance tasks. However, this timeline should give you a rough idea of the services your vehicle will need at various mileage milestones:
3,000 Miles
Oil changes are the bedrock of any well-thought-out auto maintenance schedule. According to conventional wisdom, you’ll need to complete this task every 3,000 miles or three months. But depending on your driving habits and other factors, you may need oil changes more or less often than that.
6,000 Miles
Like other auto parts, your tires need regular maintenance to continue working as intended. For example, tire rotation involves moving each of your car’s wheels to a different spot. Since this work can help your tires wear evenly, you’ll want to visit mechanics in El Paso to take care of this every 6,000-8,000 miles.
30,000 Miles
A clogged air filter will interfere with your engine’s ability to function normally, and that means it’s wise to change this filter every 15,000-30,000 miles. You’ll also want to think about brake fluid replacement, brake system inspections, and car tune-ups around this time.
50,000 Miles
Your car’s battery should last around three to five years at most, which roughly corresponds to the 50,000-mile mark. High-quality brake pads also last approximately 50,000 miles, making this an excellent time to schedule brake pad replacement.
60,000 Miles
Because brake rotors are constantly subjected to friction and heat, it should come as no surprise to learn that they’ll eventually warp. Thus, replacing or resurfacing your brake rotors after 60,000 miles is a good idea. (Coolant replacement is another task worth taking care of around this time.)
100,000 Miles
When you’re nearing the 100,000-mile mark, it’s a good idea to set up appointments for service tasks such as:
- Hose replacement
- Spark plug replacement
- Automatic transmission fluid replacement
- Power steering fluid replacement
- Timing belt replacement
The Services Your Shop Should Offer
Even if a shop offers affordable rates and high-quality service, they won’t be the right choice for you if they can’t complete the jobs you need. Before you commit to an auto shop, make sure it can handle maintenance and repair tasks such as:
Oil Changes
Most El Paso auto repair shops will be ready to complete oil changes, but some businesses go the extra mile for their customers. If your shop can handle full-service oil changes, you’ll get fresh oil, a new oil filter, chassis lubrication, and much more.
Brake Repair
Do you need rotor resurfacing, brake pad replacement, or any other form of brake repair? If so, your auto repair shop should be capable of getting the job done.
Battery Replacement
Every time you start your car, its battery jumps into action. If this component is approaching the end of its life span, you’ll need to replace it with a new one — and a qualified auto shop will be able to help.
Steering and Suspension Service
If you want to keep your steering and suspension systems in good shape, you’ll need to have them professionally inspected on an annual basis. Any auto shop worth its salt will be able to complete these inspections and fix any issues your steering or suspension has developed.
Why Personal Customer Service Matters
When you’re looking for an auto shop, you know you need to pay attention to factors such as pricing and service lineups. As a result, the quality of your shop’s customer service may be the last thing on your mind. However, no one likes to be treated like a number instead of a person — and that means you’ll want to find an auto shop that takes customer service seriously.
The key to ensuring you’ll get top-notch customer service from your shop of choice is picking a truly local shop to handle this work. Since these businesses have close ties to the communities they serve, the people you’ll talk to there will be your friends and neighbors. As a result, the employees of these auto shops will have no trouble making a personal connection with you, which will serve as a foundation for years of quality customer service.
Get Auto Repair From the Best Mechanics in El Paso
Are you looking for an El Paso auto repair shop that offers money-saving opportunities, a wide range of services, and high-quality customer service? If so, give Martin Tire Company a try! We’ve been the area’s most trusted auto shop since 1945, and we’ve stayed in business that long thanks to our exceptional workmanship and our dedication to our customers.
If you need any type of auto repair or maintenance work, the expert technicians at Martin Tire Company can help. Get started by scheduling an appointment today!
