FAQ IN KNOXVILLE, TN

Frequently Asked Questions in Knoxville, TN

Will You Install Auto Parts That I Buy Myself?

The answer is NO for the following reason:
If we install a customer supplied part that part fails and causes an accident, the shop could be held legally liable. A court would very probably rule against the auto repair shop saying that the shop should not install parts whose performance it couldn’t guarantee. Many independent shop owners have their life savings invested in their businesses. When you ask a shop to install auto parts you bought, you are asking the shop owner to assume the risk of losing his business and his livelihood so that you could save a few dollars. It’s unfair to blame the shop for not wanting to take that risk. We offer a 24 month/24-thousand-mile nationwide warranty on most repairs where we supply and install the parts.

Why do you charge for diagnostic testing?

That’s a fair question. Did you know that today’s vehicles can have 6 or more computers that control how the engine operates? Not only that, but because cars of today are much more sophisticated, they require the use of specialized equipment along with extensive training to properly diagnose and repair car problems. There is much more involved in diagnosing a car repair problem than just looking under the hood and checking a few codes. For example, a scan tool can tell our technician there is an issue with the oxygen sensor. Sure, it could be from a faulty oxygen sensor, but it could also be the result of a bad fuel pump, air flow sensor or any of the other sensors involved in regulating the fuel-mixture in the engine. With this initial information in hand, our technician then checks the output of various electrical signals and analyzes them against the symptoms you described when you dropped off your vehicle. It can sometimes take an hour or several hours to diagnose the problems.

If I know what’s wrong, why can’t you just give me a car repair estimate?

Remember, we want to fix your vehicle the first time you bring it in for repair. If you need something simple, like new brake pads or the muffler or radiator needs to be replaced, we will most certainly provide you with a written estimate. More complicated repairs, however, require us to go through the diagnostic testing process so we can provide the most economical and accurate estimate possible. This is especially true when problems may be occurring in complex systems, or they only appear under certain conditions or happen intermittently.

What Happens If I Ignore My Low Tire Pressure Warning Light?

If your tire pressure is low, then it can cause uneven wear on your tires. That means that one tire may wear faster than another forcing you to have to replace all of your tires sooner. This can be quite costly. Low tire pressure also puts you at risk of popping your tire sooner. When you drive down the highway you may also feel your vehicle pulling to one side of the road because of this. Also, low tire pressure forces your vehicle to use more power to generate the same amount of speed, costing you more gas and money!

What Happens When I Don’t Change My Oil?

Oil is the lubricant that keeps your vehicle running. If you choose not to change your oil, then it will completely break down and leave a sludge in your vehicle’s engine. This will wear your engine over time and cause it to break down much sooner.

Why Does My Vehicle Need a Coolant Flush?

Your coolant is what helps keep your vehicle from overheating. It, just like your vehicle’s oil, can break down and cause sludge. This wears down your vehicle and could cause it to overheat. This is not good. A coolant flush allows you to get rid of all of that broken down coolant and replace it with clean coolant. It also allows you to clean out a bit of that broken down coolant, preventing it from causing further damage to your engine.

Why Do You Charge More For An Oil Change Than A Quick Lube Shop?

Thats an excellent question. When we do an oil change service on a vehicle, we use the exact type of oil and viscosity your vehicle calls for. Using the wrong engine oil can cause the metal parts of your engine to shear, making additional noise, and leaving metal shavings in your engine oil. If the temperature has been very cold, you might also be in for some trouble. We also rotate your tires and do a visual brake inspection, as well as check all belts and hoses, lights, wipers and top off all your fluids.