Staten Island Auto Repair

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