Frequently Asked Questions

TIMING BELT SERVICE – WHY SO EXPENSIVE?
Many Volkswagen, Audi, Volvo, Honda, Acura, and some Toyota and Lexus engines use timing belts. These belts are a required maintenance item and should be replaced about every 100K. Lots of people price shop this job because it is labour-intensive and parts can be expensive at times depending on the engine. We only do timing belts the right way. When you receive a quote from us on a timing belt job we don’t just price out the belt. In conjunction with the belt, we do the rollers, tensioner, water pump, front engine oil seals and new OE coolant. Some shops will ONLY change the belt and nothing else. We do the water pump while we are there because the belt typically drives the pump. By doing the pump now you save labor doing it the first time around. We always do the tensioner because a tensioner wears out and fail to cause the belt to stretch and jump a tooth. If the serpentine belts are cracking we will also do those to save you labor as well. Timing belts are no joke to mess with. On many vehicles, if this belt goes so does your motor. This is why we take care of everything the first time so you don’t have to worry about it for another 100K. Give us a call and we can get you scheduled for your timing belt service.

DO YOU INSTALL PARTS THAT CUSTOMERS SUPPLY?
The Auto Clinic only installs OEM or better parts purchased by The Auto Clinic. We do not install customer-supplied parts due to warranty, liability and business concerns.

IS THERE A WARRANTY ON YOUR WORK?
Yes. We warranty all parts and labor for a minimum of 12 months or 12,000 miles, longer in some instances.

IS THERE REALLY SOMETHING WRONG WITH MY CAR IF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON?
Manufacturers put warning lights on cars for a reason. Sometimes that light may come on simply because your gas cap is not on tight. But you can’t take it too lightly, it could be warning of a legitimate problem. The Auto Clinic utilizes factory level diagnostic equipment to analyze your vehicle and determine if there is a problem or not.

I KNOW MY CAR NEEDS SOME WORK, BUT I CAN'T BE WITHOUT A CAR… WHAT SHOULD I DO?
We understand it is an inconvenience to be without your car. That’s why anything we can do to make your experience more enjoyable is our pleasure. We can even help you secure a rental car in town.

DO YOU RECOMMEND A CERTAIN BRAND OF MOTOR OIL?
The manufacturer recommends different weights and viscosity options depending on your engine and the climate that you live in. We strictly adhere to these requirements.

WHY SHOULD I CARE ABOUT WHO CHANGES MY OIL?
New customers sometimes tell us they’ve taken their vehicles to one of the many “Quickie Lube” chain stores, because they believe it is less expensive and maybe more convenient. They are often surprised to learn that our pricing is not only competitive, but a better value. We only use high quality oil filters and engine oil that meets the exact specifications provided by your manufacturer.

The Auto Clinic also offers a complete multi-point inspection with each service; front to back, top to bottom. We provide this as a vehicle health check so we can advise you of your vehicle’s condition so you are not surprised. We use only high quality parts. We are specialists on import vehicles and know how to recognize early component failure. At The Auto Clinic, we want to be your trusted automotive service provider.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I CHANGE MY OIL? DOES IT REALLY NEED TO BE EVERY 3,000 MILES?
The manufacturers recommend every 12 months or every 7,500 -15,000 miles depending on make & model . Based on our long-term experience, we suggest no longer than 5 months or 5,000 miles for synthetic oil. The cost of oil and a filter is very inexpensive when compared to the expense of replacing parts due to sludge build up or condensation issues. An oil service with us is not just an oil and filter change, with The Auto Clinic it’s an overall inspection.

I KNOW I NEED SOME REPAIRS DONE, BUT I CAN'T AFFORD IT ALL AT ONCE… DO YOU HAVE A PAYMENT PLAN?
We understand that these autos can be expensive to repair. We will be happy to help prioritize the work that is the most important for your safety, and tell you up front what can wait. Our goal is your safety, not your pocketbook. We accept VISA, MasterCard, American Express & Discover credit cards. We also offer a Bosch Service credit card that may be eligible for special “no interest if paid in full within 6 months” financing.

WHAT DOES BOSCH CAR SERVICE MEAN TO ME?
Bosch Car Service is a national network of independent workshops that are small enough to offer real value yet have the backing of Bosch, the world’s largest supplier of automotive parts. Bosch invented the technology that makes your car work.

CAN YOU PUT THE ‘MACHINE/COMPUTER’ ON MY CAR AND TELL ME WHAT’S WRONG?
This is a common question. Years ago, when scopes were first released, they were considered the latest in automotive diagnostics technology. Just hook up this machine to your car and it’ll automatically tell us what all of the problems are, right? Not exactly…

The Auto Clinic uses factory-level scanners and scopes to help diagnose issues affecting your automobile. These machines output data that helps our certified technicians figure out what work needs to be performed on your vehicle. The information the machines provide only offers clues to what may be wrong, however, and it is only the expert mechanics who will be able to interpret this data and along with their own analysis of your vehicle provide you with a definitive diagnosis of what needs to be done.

Using the scanner technology along with good-old-fashioned mechanical know-how provides you with the most accurate assessment of your vehicle’s needs which results in the best and most appropriate care for your car at the most cost-effective rates.

WILL YOU SCAN MY CAR FOR FREE?
The simple answer is no. The control systems in today’s vehicles are very complex. The control systems themselves and the diagnostic equipment we use to communicate with them must always have up-to-date software to work as they were designed to. Although, even with the most current diagnostic software and tools, they will not give a definite answer to what is wrong with the vehicle. These tools will let the trained technician see the same information and data the vehicle's control systems are seeing. The trained technician must then interpret this data, and along with their own analysis of your vehicle, provide you with a definitive diagnosis of what needs to be done.

DO YOU REQUIRE APPOINTMENTS?
Yes, we do, but please give us a call, as we will always try to accommodate you in any way we can.

WHAT DO YOU CHARGE?
We charge by the job, not by the typical hour or ‘Book’ time. We take into consideration the severity of the job, the amount of rust or corrosion involved and the actual time it takes us to do the job. An easy job does not cost as much as a hard job. We strive to be fair with our prices to both our customers and to us. And as always we will supply you with an estimate before any repairs are performed.

CAN YOU GIVE ME AN ESTIMATE OVER THE PHONE?
The short quick answer is that the problem has to be diagnosed before it is estimated. This is virtually impossible over the phone. Even a common brake job may have too many variables like a mid-year caliper, pad and rotor part number split variations. We would rather cultivate a relationship with an accurate estimate in person than ruin it with a shoot from the hip approach over the phone. We will always be happy to inspect your vehicle so we can give you an accurate estimate.

DON'T I HAVE TO TAKE MY CAR BACK TO THE DEALER FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND OIL CHANGES TO MAINTAIN MY WARRANTY?
No. Federal law says a warranty will not be invalidated as long as the service can be documented. The manufacturer would like you to think that, but it’s just not true, you do have a choice. The Auto Clinic works closely with OEMs and authorized parts suppliers. So you have no worries when you choose The Auto Clinic.

Contact us with Your Questions