Posted on 1/4/2017
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- George Zaloom, owner of Zaloomie Car Care in Westerleigh, says his technicians are some of the highest paid in the industry. But he also hires apprentices, who start at minimum wage rates. With the increase in minimum wage that goes into affect on Saturday, Zaloom says he'll have to limit hiring and/or raise prices. "Since most minimum wage jobs are entry level, I feel the increase will cause many problems across the board since those making even $20 per hour will request a raise. In the end it will affect jobs and prices," he said. Zaloom is one of many Staten Island business owners who fear the historic increase in the minimum wage championed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo -- which will ultimately reach $15 an hour for all workers across New York -- may hurt his bottom line. MINIMUM WAGE HIKE STIPULATIONS Minimum wage is currently $9 an hour across New York state. On Saturday, Dec. 31, workers in New York City employed by large ... read more
Posted on 1/4/2017
Tablet Technology enters the neighborhood garage! Zaloom's Auto Repair is pleased to announce that they have incorporated a popular, user friendly technological tool - the tablet - into their daily business operation to provide a more efficient and engaging automotive repair experience for their customers. While a 31 point inspection has always been the starting point for any vehicle that enters Zaloom's, the process and review of these individual car inspections or "check ups" has become more efficient and more easily executed through the use of an IPAD and a software program called, Auto Vitals. "It is common practice for healthcare professionals to interact with their patients while using a tablet. It's almost routine to see your doctor enter the exam room with tablet in hand and that's a good thing. It gives them ready access to information such as your health records, past appointments, inoculation schedules, etc. This gives the people in your lif ... read more
Posted on 1/4/2017
A local auto shop is urging drivers to follow some important safety tips this winter. The owner of Zaloom's Auto Repair says drivers should pay close attention to their wiper blades during the cold-weather months. Mechanics say not to use your wipers to remove ice from your windshield. Doing so, can cause heavy damage to the blades. Staff also say to make sure all tires are filled properly and have a good amount of tread. When it comes to poor road conditions, mechanics say to keep an eye out for raised sewer caps to avoid costly repairs. "If you're going down a street that you knew was ripped up, try to hit the sewer cap with your tire - this way you'll protect it from the middle of the suspension of the car being damaged," said Shop Owner George Zaloom. Zaloom also recommends keeping a blanket in your car so you won't have to leave the engine running if you get stuck in snow. 
Posted on 8/23/2016
Make some room for Tablet Technology in the Auto Shop By on March 01, 2016 at 3:59 PM, updated March 04, 2016 at 8:23 AM Email Tablet Technology enters the neighborhood garage! Zaloom's Auto Repair is pleased to announce that they have incorporated a popular, user friendly technological tool – the tablet - into their daily business operation to provide a more efficient and engaging automotive repair experience for their customers. While a 31 point inspection has always been the starting point for any vehicle that enters Zaloom's, the process and review of these individual car inspections or "check ups" has become more effici ... read more
Posted on 5/6/2016
The 5 Ways to Help Avoid Going to the Mechanic Posted January 20, 2016 by Bobby GagliniinShare17 Mechanics are like doctors. When our cars are “sick”, we bring them to a professional to diagnose and cure, just like a doctor does with our ailments. And while both significantly help us in life, it’s understandable to not want to go to either. After all, we often go when something isn’t right, and know we might have a big bill ahead of us. So, I’ve come up with 5 foolproof ways to help you not have to go to a mechanic. You read that right. Here we go… Go to the mechanic. The article title was just a little misleading, right? What I meant was you’ll avoid going to the mechanic more than you need to. But I’m seriously here. If you don’t go when the problem is little, chances are you’ll have to go when it’s big. Going to the mechanic once in a while is actually g ... read more
Posted on 3/29/2016
VW Diesel Scandal - Seeing Through the Noise and Smoke (3) Comments Add a Comment »By Matthew Price September 24th 2015 Over the past week it has been hard to avoid the ongoing scandal surrounding Volkswagen’s attempts to circumvent EPA emissions tests. While the specifics warrant a full length book, here are the most relevant facts. There are two fuels typically powering today’s vehicles, diesel and gasoline. Diesel fuel is much more energy dense than gasoline and can therefore provide superior fuel economy and torque. The downside to this increased fuel economy is that diesel engines emit more nitrogen oxide and carbon dioxide (NOx and CO2). Both ... read more
Posted on 3/22/2016
You Just Received a Recall Notice - Now What? By Robert Lindsey September 28th 2015 Purchasing a new car can be a rewarding experience. Sitting in your shiny new ride with new paint, new interior, and new technology with nothing but the open road ahead of you. But suddenly, you see your car on the news, your heart drops...the manufacturer is going to issue a recall. What does this mean for you? A recall occurs when a large safety issue has been brought to a manufacturer’s attention. It can be an engine issue, a supplemental restraint system (SRS) issue, item that may make the vehicle unsafe or hazardous to operate. At that point, a manufacturer must notify owners of affected vehicles of the nature of the recall and take steps to correct the issue. This correction must be performed at no cost to the consumer. How do you know if your vehicle has a recall? F ... read more
Posted on 3/16/2016
The 5 Ways to Help Avoid Going to the Mechanic Posted January 20, 2016 by Bobby GagliniinShare17 Mechanics are like doctors. When our cars are “sick”, we bring them to a professional to diagnose and cure, just like a doctor does with our ailments. And while both significantly help us in life, it’s understandable to not want to go to either. After all, we often go when something isn’t right, and know we might have a big bill ahead of us. So, I’ve come up with 5 foolproof ways to help you not have to go to a mechanic. You read that right. Here we go… Go to the mechanic. The article title was just a little misleading, right? What I meant was you’ll avoid going to the mechanic more than you need to. But I’m seriously here. If you don’t go when the problem is little, chances are you’ll have to go when it’s big. Going to the mechanic once in a while is actually good! It ... read more
Posted on 3/9/2016
4 Things to Remember When You Get Upset About an Auto Repair Bill Posted December 08, 2015 by Audra FordininShare36 No one is happy to receive a hefty bill from a mechanic. The next time a repair cost makes your jaw drop, remember these four things to immediately feel better about your investment. Are you really mad at the mechanic? If you're upset about a repair cost, don’t automatically blame the mechanic. This is out of their control. You might as well blame your doctor for medical bills, because he or she diagnosed the problem. No one likes to be the bearer of bad news, but it has to be done. Never assume a high cost means you're getting ripped off. Complex jobs require expensive parts and long hours. Clarify the repair cost before work begins. If you feel unsure, get a second opinion or ask the mechanic to show you the problem. Could you prevent situations like this? Cars don't overheat fo ... read more