Staten Island Auto Repair

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

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

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

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

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

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

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- George Zaloom, owner of Zaloom's Auto Repair, in Westerleigh, has had to repair five cars in the last year (four of those just in the last six weeks) after the driver accidentally put diesel fuel in the vehicle instead of regular gasoline. Some gas stations that have single-pump units don't separate the diesel pumps from the regular pumps, which can lead to customers accidentally picking up the green pump nozzle — which is diesel gas — instead of the black nozzle used for regular gas. "People need to pay closer attention," said Claudette Duff, of Graniteville, who accidentally pumped diesel fuel into her 2015 Subaru Forrester at a Tompkinsville station. Dee Dushmantha, manager of the Tompkinsville Mobile station, said that, while the mistake doesn't happen often, it does happen. "If you need help, please come in and get us," Dushmantha said, "We will come out and show you the correct nozzle to use." He add ... read more

7 Times You Might Say, "Ugh, I Should Have Winterized My Car..." Posted December 02, 2015 by Bobby GagliniinShare23 Winter is nearly upon us. Misty memories of sun-drenched beaches and grilling by the pool will soon be replaced by drifting snowflakes and roaring fires. And while winter can often bring beauty to the landscape, it can wreak absolute havoc on the roads and on your car. While winterizing your vehicle might cost a little time and money, it’s 100% worth it. Truly. I mean that. “I should have winterized my car...” 1. It’s a complete whiteout, and you’re stuck in gridlock traffic. The roads are already covered in snow, and it’s coming down in buckets. You turn on your windshield wipers, and they screech and skid across your windshield, not removing any of the frozen ice. “Oh no, not now.” You try using the washer fluid, but it just turns the ice on your windshield blue&hellip ... read more