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Author Archive | Michelle Long

What auto repair shop do you Trust?

By on October 25, 2018 in Automotive Maintenance

“Trust”  that word is HUGE in our industry.  We do everything we can to prove to our customers that their “trust” is a very important aspect of our relationship with them.  We do this by giving them complete quotes, sending them pictures of any issues their vehicle may have,  having their vehicle ready for them when we said we would,  calling them with updates, and having clear and open communication.  As in any relationship, “trust” is a very, if not the most, important element to a long and lasting one.  We pride ourselves in not having a revolving door…our customers stick with us, because they trust us.  If you have not been to our shop before, please stop by and meet us.  We would be happy to show you our shop, introduce you to our techs and our Service Writer.  We want you to feel at home!

 

Why are my brakes grinding?

By on October 19, 2018 in Auto Repair
If your brakes are making a grinding noise, it is a sign of trouble.  This something that you would to be looked at right away.   It could be  that the Pads are worn down so far they are scraping the Rotors.  Or that there are other broken components in the Brake System or some foreign object, like a rock, is in the system. Do not delay in having a brake inspection done right away.  Here at Long’s brake inspections are free, and usually take 20-30 minutes.  We do not charge for this very important inspection, because we want our customers to be safe on the road.  You and your family’s safety is very important to us.  So if you are having any type of brake related issues, please do not hesitate to give us a call and we will get you in for that Free Inspection as quickly as possible.

Who sells Lifetime Oil Changes?

By on October 17, 2018 in Automotive Maintenance

Did you know we have a Lifetime Maintenance Club? You are probably wondering what that means. It’s pretty simple and an amazing program. You buy this membership for about the same cost as 4 oil changes on your vehicle. This then gives you free oil changes for the rest of your life. This membership follows you, NOT your vehicle. If by chance you buy a different vehicle, and let’s say it uses synthetic oil, then you would just have to pay the difference in the price of the membership for that vehicle. The only charge is $5.00 each oil change to cover the cost of disposal. This also makes a great gift. If you are interested either give us a call, or drop on by, we would be happy to let you know how much YOUR membership would cost!

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How come my headlights are so dim?

By on September 27, 2018 in Auto Repair

It’s that time of year when we are all driving in the dark more, and you might notice that your headlights are dim.  One of the main causes of this is the lens becomes cloudy and foggy over time.  This doesn’t allow your headlights to be as bright as they once were.  Years ago this meant having to replace the headlight lens itself, which was costly and time consuming.  Not any more…we can buff the lens so it is as clear a it was when it was brand new!  You want to be able to see and be seen when you are driving in the dark, so if this is an issue with your vehicle, please give us a call, and we will get you in and get those headlights as bright as brand new!!

 

How much do you charge for Diagnostics?

By on September 26, 2018 in Auto Repair

We get asked how much we charge for diagnostics, at least once a day.  The answer?  There is no set price, it is really dependant on how much time it takes to diagnose the issue.  We have a price range of $50.00 to $150.00.  The customer agrees to this, and if for whatever reason it is going to take longer to track the issue down, we call you and get authorization for more time.  It really depends on what the issue is.  If the check engine light is on We will scan it to see what codes are present, and then go from there.  It’s kind of like getting your blood drawn, then analyzed, and then having the Doctor figure out what the cause of the issue it.  This can be as simple as you need more vitamins and drink more fluids, to you have a major issue and need surgery.  It takes time to figure these things out, and that is the time we charge for…simple less of a charge, more difficult and time consuming, a higher charge.  We keep track of our time, and only charge you for what we needed to correctly diagnose the issue.

Should I get my car looked at before the cold weather hits?

By on September 24, 2018 in Automotive Maintenance

It’s always a good idea to have your vehicle inspected when the weather’s going to get cold.  You want to make sure that your cooling system is working properly, to confirm that your coolant is at the right strength and level.  You don’t want that system to freeze and cause damage.  You also want to make sure that your heater is working properly, before it get really cold.  When you bring your vehicle to us for a pre-winter check, we will look at all of these things, including making sure that your defroster is working properly and that your tires are at the proper pressure.  If you need snow tires put on, we can help you that also.  So give us a call, let’s get you in and have your vehicle inspected before the really cold weather arrives.

 

Emissions Repair Near Me

By on September 19, 2018 in Auto Repair

Do you need to have some emissions repair work done?  We have been a State Certified Emissions Repair facility for as long as we can remember.  All of our techs are certified by the state to do this type of repair.  We will be happy to explain how the waiver program works, and what repairs you need to have done to pass the emissions test so that you can recieve your tabs.  Please note that you need to take the test first, even if you KNOW you are going to fail.  The state requires this initial test, and then will allow you take to the second test for free.  Once you fail, just give us a call and we will get you in at your earliest convenience.

When should I have my timing belt replaced?

By on September 14, 2018 in Auto Repair

Do you know when you should have your timing belt replaced?  This is a very important question, and knowing the answer can save you a bundle in car repair.  You can give us a call with the year, make and model of your vehicle, and we can look up when the manufacturer recommends replacing.  This is usually based on Mileage.  Some are at 90k, 100k, 105, 120k.  Some vehicles have what is referred to as an interference engine, if the timing belt breaks on one of these it will more than likely cause catastrophic damage.  Any time a timing belt breaks, it will stop the engine from being able to run, but if it breaks within a interference engine, it will more than likely mean replacing the engine.  So please, give us a call, we will let you know when your timing belt needs to be replaced, we don’t want you to have to endure unnecessary repairs.

Who does digital vehicle inspections in Woodinville?

By on August 29, 2018 in Automotive Maintenance

At Long’s we do digital vehicle inspections, on every vehicle that comes into the shop.  This is a newer process that we started using about 2 years ago.  Doing our inspections digitally allows our mechanics to take pictures of their concerns, so that we can either email or text them to you.  This really speeds up the process of getting your vehicle repaired and back to you in a timely manner.  You no longer have to come down to the shop to look at the issue, it’s right there on your phone or on your computer.  After we inspect your vehicle we will send the whole report to you, and list what issues in their level of importance.  1.  The concern you brought it in for (if there was one) 2.  Any safety related issues.  3.  Maintenance issues, such as fluid exchanges etc.  We then let you decide what you would like us to take care of, and schedule the rest for a future visit.  We want you to be able to keep this vehicle for as long as you want, and to keep it in top running condition for you.

 

Why is my Subaru Running so Rough?

By on August 24, 2018 in Auto Repair

Your Subaru may be running rough because of an engine misfire.  Usually your check engine light will come on when a misfire occurs.  A common issue that we see that is causing the misfre are burnt exhaust valves.  What usually causes a valve to become burnt, worn, or cracked, is excessive heat due to either lack of lubrication or excessive combustion chamber temperature as a result of incorrect fuel mixture.  This usually starts out as a bit of rough running when cold, and this will set a check engine light, wit a cylinder misfire code.  If you are having any of these symptoms?  If so give us a call!  We work on Subarus almost daily, and in fact own one ourselves.  Are mechanics are very well versed in working on them.  So if you are looking for a Subaru Mechanic in Woodinville, give us a call!

 

Subaru mechanic in Woodinville