Everyone who owns a vehicle should have a local auto service center that they rely on for routine maintenance and unexpected repairs. Using the same place anytime a vehicle needs work helps mechanics get to know both a driver and their vehicle. If you don’t have a local service center, consider these five factors as you search for one in your area.
1. Where the Service Center is Located
First, consider how far the service center is from either your home or place of work. When you find a place close to where you frequent, it makes repairs and services a lot more convenient.
In an ideal situation, the center will be close enough that you can walk home or to work after dropping your vehicle off. With such close proximity, you don’t need to worry about getting a ride from someone else or borrowing a vehicle.
Often, a service center within walking distance isn’t available. If you don’t have one right next to your neighborhood or office, check places that are only a short drive away. Many people won’t mind giving you a short ride from the service center occasionally, but they may not want to spend a long time in traffic.
2. When the Service Center is Open
Second, check what hours the service center is open during a normal week.
For maximum convenience, look for a place that’s open beyond standard business hours during the week and at least one day on the weekend. Extended weekday hours let you drop your car off before work and pick it up afterward, and Saturday hours ensure you don’t have to wait the entire weekend for an emergency repair.
3. Whether the Service Center Has Rental Cars
Third, look for a service center that has rental cars available should you need one while your car is being worked on.
Even if you can normally get by without using another car for a little while, you never know when your vehicle might need extensive work and be unusable for an extended period of time. Should you find yourself in this situation, being able to rent a car will help you get around much easier while yours is in the shop. Few people can let someone else borrow their car for a long time.
4. Whether the Service Center Tows Vehicles
Fourth, find out whether the service center tows vehicles that are unsafe to drive. Many shops offer this service, but not all local ones do.
While you can hire another company to tow your vehicle to a shop, being able to call your service center for a tow when your vehicle breaks down is easier. You only need to contact one business rather than two, and you don’t need to worry about whether the tow truck driver knows how to get to your preferred shop or where the shop’s key drop is.
5. What Work the Service Center Does
Fifth, you want to look for a service center that does a wide array of automotive work. Since this is going to be your default shop to bring your vehicle to, you want them to handle both routine maintenance items and more advanced repair work. The most qualified shop will offer all of the following:
- Oil changes and fluid checks
- Tire and wheel sales and installation
- Brake inspections and replacements
- Transmission services and replacements
A comprehensive shop will probably offer many additional services besides these, but these are the basics that you should look for.
If you need an auto service center that does all of this, contact White’s Automotive Center to schedule an appointment for your vehicle.
