The Importance of Finding a Family Owned Auto Repair Shop

Car repairs can drive you crazy, and the thought of the cost can make your stomach swell with butterflies.  The first question that enters your mind is, “can I trust this shop to do right by me?”  If the answer is “no” then you need some tips on how to find the right repair shop for your needs.

Start by asking family or friends where they take their cars for repair and what their experience was like.  You will probably discover that the majority of them used a family owned local shop because they can trust the advice – the owner is there and has to build up a strong reputation.  See what some of West Side Tire’s most loyal and longtime standing customers have to say about their family owned locations.

Dealerships or franchise repair shops may be locally owned but they have a corporate bottom line that a family owned shop does not.  West Side Tire & Service shop has a vested interest in the community it operates in, their professional reputation depends on providing fair quotes and repairs that are done right the first time and are more likely to happen than with a dealer ship or franchise operated business.

Moreover, shops like West Side Tire are more familiar with their customer base, the types of cars their customers drive and they have the ability and interest in developing a relationship with each individual they comes in contact with.  And, they won’t likely risk their business or reputation doing unnecessary repairs just to make a dollar, as word of mouth carries a great deal of weight and it doesn’t take but one unhappy customer to damage a business.

Using a family owned repair shop like West Side Tire allows both the business and customer to develop a sense of trust that is hard to find these days.  If something is not repaired correctly, on time, and in accordance with the original cost quote, your redress would not include having to deal with a corporate structure that can be confusing and irritating.  You can have a face to face with a family owned repair shop and come to a mutually satisfactory resolution and still be friends.

West Side Tire and Service has been servicing the Mahoning Valley since 1978. A strong dedication to quality parts and service with affordable, honest prices has and will always be our family’s commitment to yours. 

Fall is Here and Old Man Winter is Just Around the Corner

As the winter season approaches, it is easy to forget about giving your car the tender loving care it needs to stay healthy. But with the start of heavy snow, icy roads and cold weather, now is the time to prepare your car for the winter.  

Cold weather makes pliable material stiffer and more brittle and can make fluids thicker. We live in an area with severe winter weather, and know how dangerous the roads can get and the unique problems winter weather can create for your car.

Check out our list of top 5 winter car care tips!

1.    Bring your car in for a tune-up

If you haven’t taken your car to the shop for a while, now is the time to do so. A tune-up will help keep your car running longer and may save you money by detecting potential problems early.

2.    Let us Check your Tires

On slippery or icy roads, your tires are extremely important to giving you stability and controlled handling.  So before the weather takes a turn for the worse, make sure to check your tires’ pressure and wear. You should also take your tires in to get rotated and properly balanced.  If you’re in an area with particularly severe winter weather or rural area, you should consider purchasing a set of snow tires which are made specifically for snowy and icy surfaces.

3.    Let us Check your Fluids Levels

Make sure to check that the transmission, brake, power steering and windshield washer fluids and coolants are filled to proper levels. You should use de-icer windshield washer fluid which will help clear light ice and frost while preventing re-freezing.

4.    Make a Winter Emergency Kit

In addition to the emergency road kit you should already have in your car, it is a good idea to have a special winter car kit. This kit should include things like cat litter or sand for tire traction on snow and ice, an ice scraper and de-icing liquid.

5.    Let us Check your Air Filters

During the summer and fall, contaminants can get caught in your air filters and will eventually get caught inside your vehicle and cause problems. If you see any debris caught on the filter, it’s a good idea to get the filter replaced.

West Side Tire and Service is you one-stop-shop to prepare your vehicles for the rough winter ahead.  Make an appointment today! http://westsidetireservice.com/