Archive | Automotive Maintenance

Waiting

We understand that sometimes circumstances find you waiting at our shop for your vehicle’s services to be completed.  We also understand that waiting is no fun..and can be boring, and if you have little ones, complicated.  That is why we pride ourselves on our customer waiting area.  It is large, with plenty of comfortable chairs, and couches.  We have a bevereage center, with fresh coffee, tea, hot cocoa, and bottled water.  We stock plenty of current magazines with a wide range of interest.  We also have a childs play area, with books, blocks, and other toys.  If you happen to be here during lunch, or just want a bite to eat, we are located right next door to a Burger/Deli restaurant that is quite good.  You can eat there, or bring over to our place.  If the wait is going to be a bit long and you would prefer to be home, we also offer a free shuttle service for your convenience.  As one customer once wrote “I love taking my car to Long’s Car Care Center, because they have the best magazine, and really comfortable couches”.

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Brake Estimate

One of the top questions we get asked is “Why won’t you give me a brake estimate over the phone?”  The reason is simple, there are so many different components to your brakes that there is no way we could give you an accurate estimate with doing a brake inspection before hand.  There are times when all a vehicle may need are new pads, and also have the rotors machined.  Sometimes the rotors are to thin to machine and need to be replaced.  Calipers do not need to be replaced every time,  so we need to inspect them to make sure they are working properly.  We want to give you an accurate quote, that is why we offer FREE brake inspections.  We also inspect your brakes every time we see your vehicle.  Be able to slow down and stop properly is a very important part of operating your vehicle, we want to make sure that you and your loved ones are safe.  If you are feeling a vibration, or are hearing a squeaking noise while braking it is probably a good time to bring your vehicle in for that FREE inspection!badbrakes Long's car car center 98072

Selling Your Classic Car?

Are you planning on selling your Classic Car?  If so we would love to help you.  If your classic needs some work before you put it on the market, we can help you with that.  Our passion is working on classics, and we are good at it.  Do you need a place to store it and show it, we can also help you with that.  We have a huge showroom that is perfect to showcase your vehicle.  Give us a call and we can work out the details.

 

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Easter

Easter is just around the corner.  Which means that spring break is coming too.  Are you going to take a road trip during your break?  If so, give us a call, we would love to give your vehicle a FREE courtesy inspection before your trip.  We will check out your belts, hoses, brakes, etc.  We want to make sure you and your loved ones have a great time, nothing is worse than breaking down, when you’re trying to have fun.

Hope to see you soon

.springroadtrip Long's Car Care Center

ATI

The next time I post it will from the ATI SuperConference at Amelia Island in Florida.  We go the SuperConference every year.  Why?  Because we are surrounded by the top Automotive Repair Shops in the country.  We get to meet vendors with cutting age technology that allows us to update our shop. We do this because we want to provide YOU with the best the industry has to offer.  We also get to learn about leadership, team building, and how to serve our customers in the best way possible.  Is it fun?  YES!  But is also highly educational, every year we come back with great ideas to make our shop the best one in town!!

 

ameliaisland Long's car care center 98072

ATI

The next time I blog it will be from the ATI SuperConference in Amelia Island Florida.  Every year we participate in this Conference.  We are surrounded by other shop owner from across the country.  Why do we go?  To learn about what is new in the automotive repair industry.  We learn about leadership, teamwork, and most importantly what is new in the customer service world.  Updated computer programs, marketing ideas etc.  We want to make sure that we are using the newest most cutting edge technology to make sure we are providing you with the best service we can.  So, off to Florida we go…more blogging on Monday!!

 

ameliaisland Long's car care center 98072

Spring Forward

It is that time to Spring Forward, which means resetting all of our manual clocks, including the one in your vehicle.  Clocks in some vehicles are very easy to change, some not so much.  If you have a clock you just can’t figure out, drop on by the shop and we will get it set right for you.  I don’t know about you, but I am ready for spring.

 

springforward Long's Car Care Center 98072

Graduation Time

I know…It may seem like Graduation Time is a way off..but really time flies.  If you are considering purchasing a pre-owned vehicle for you graduate, you really should start looking now.  Good pre-owned vehicles are not that easy to find.  You may have to kiss a number of frogs before you find your prince.  We cannot recommend having a pre-buyers inspection done, BEFORE any money is exchanged.  No matter who you are considering purchasing the vehicle from, a dealer, a used car lot, Craig’s list, your neighbor, a friend, even your grandmother.  ALWAYS get is inspected first.  Knowledge is power, and knowing what shape this vehicle is in can give you bargaining power, or the knowledge to help you decide if you want to purchase this vehicle or not.  If the seller refuses to let you have the vehicle inspected…run, don’t walk, away.  Remember it might look great on the outside…but you can’t always tell a book by its cover.  So this is our “Wednesday Wisdom”, that we are passing on to you!!

usedcar Long's car care center 98072

Interesting

I heard an interesting ad on the radio on the way to work today.  It was from a Major Car Dealer, saying that for this month you could get “The Works” done if you bring your car in for an oil change.  Curious, I listened to learn what “The Works” was…thinking it was going to be something super special.  Turns out “The Works” ended up being a Courtesy Inspection, checking belts, hoses, lights, tires, etc.  At Long’s we do this free of charge every time we see your vehicle.  At this dealer..they are doing this for the month of March…yippee!  These items should be checked out every time your car is service, just to make sure all of your vehicle’s components are in good working order.  We want to maintain your car for as long as you want it…not just when we decide to check it out.  So if you are looking for a company on the Eastside that cares about YOU and your car…come and see us!!

oilchange long's car care center 98072

Classic Car Friday

It’s Classic Car Friday here at Long’s.  We sold the wonderful 1949 Ford that was in our showroom.  Lucky buyer is from California.  If you have a Classic that you would like to sell, we would be happy to help you.  We can keep it in our showroom for you where it is nice and safe, warm and dry.  Interested parties can came and see the vehicle here, instead of bothering you at home.  Give us a call to make the arrangements, we would love to help you find a new home for your Classic.

SOLD!!!

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