Oil Change and Maintenance

Posted on January 6, 2011 by Big Mike

Oil Change Advice

Use Synthetic Oil

If you live in the upper northeast with us, and your car does not have synthetic oil, I would highly recommend installing it on your next oil change.

When it gets cold, your oil gets thick and does not flow or lubricate your engine well, and when it gets hot, it thins out and does not lube as well. Both conditions will lead to premature engine wear.

Oil Change Plus

While your in for an oil change, most shops will perform some routine inspections. They will typically inspect your brakes, and front end components, as well as the condition of some of your fluids.

Large automotive box stores do not do these inspections to protect their customers, or for any virtuous reason, they do it to up sell more repairs and parts. So really it’s a win win, you are safer, and they occasionally make more money.

Tire Repairs

Make sure to specifically request your tire pressures be checked. This inspection is often not done by companies that do not sell tires, and is very important. One out of three cars on the road have a low tire. Often times when a tire is low, you have picked up a nail or a screw. This repair can easily be done at any shop while the car is on the lift.

Proper air pressure will not only extend the life of your tires and prevent a blow out, but will give you better fuel economy.

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Brake Job Cost

Posted on December 19, 2010 by Big Mike

Brake Service Cost

Brake Parts: rotors, pads, drums, and shoes are not marked up at our shop. We provide them at cost!

We charge a fair labor rate for brake service. It is not like we are rebuilding a transmission or doing electrical diagnostics, it’s a brake job.

A Low Labor rate, plus parts at cost, equals enormous savings.

Please do not believe the hype at the automotive repair box stores, their brake estimates are for garbage brake pads, and usually do not include everything required for the brake service. Plus out of five mechanics on duty, maybe one is a certified mechanic (the others were probably flipping burgers the week before).

We will quote you over the phone, or offer a free inspection with written estimate. All makes and models.

Most people save 1 -2 hundred dollars on average, we save some people more than that! 978-229-2377 George

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Brake Lines

Posted on November 16, 2010 by Big Mike

Brake Lines Are Not Made Like They Were a Few Years ago!

Brake lines rarely if ever needed to be replaced on a ten year old car. Nowadays you may need to replace them on a car less than 5 years old. The lines used to be made of better materials than they are today. In fact, normally it would take 20-30 years for brake lines to rot out.

Inspection

When a line pops, your brake pedal goes right to the floor, leaving you with limited or no ability to slow your vehicle. The Massachusetts State Inspection Department has made inspecting your vehicles lines a priority today, so the next time you role into get your yearly sticker (Massachusetts), if you have any rust on those lines, you will likely be turned down /rejected.

Brake Line Repair Costs

this repair cost so much because you have multiple lines, and each line is custom bent and has to follow the contours of the vehicle. Also because nobody like doing this type of auto repair! It’s messy, the fluid will strip paint right off the car if it is left to sit on the surface, and requires tedious bending. Then once the line is installed you have to bleed the braking system.

Bleeding The Braking System Once the Air Is Allowed Into The System

Hydraulic pressure is needed to apply the brakes, and one tiny air bubble in the line or system compromises you ability to stop. Brake bleeding procedures vary depending on your year, make, and model of automobile. Most automobiles however require that all bleeders be opened in order to get all the air out of the system. If you can not open a bleeder screw, then you have to replace the caliper or wheel cylinder in order to complete the job. This is one more reason auto repair costs go above written estimates.

Brake Line Replacement Advice

If you come to our auto repair shop in Tewksbury MA, we will offer you a choice in materials for line replacement. One material will rot out as quick as the manufacturer, and the other will last at least 20 years! Our advice is to spend the extra money and protect your self from this often costly repair.

Brake lines do not rot down south like they do here in New England. If you live in the north east area of New England, have your line inspected by a certified mechanic during you next oil change. Most shops will be happy to do this for free as it only takes a minute!

Posted in Brake Repair | Tagged Brake Lines | 4 Comments

Auto Repair

Posted on September 11, 2010 by Big Mike

Automobile Repair in Tewksbury

We fix all models of vehicles, foreign and domestic, including; boats, trucks /vans, RV’s, and motorcycles. We will even repair your lawnmowers and snow blower small engines. We have been working in the field for over 25 years, acquiring all the special tools and equipment to repair any car.

Vehicles today are built a lot better and run longer than the automobiles of yesterday. But when they brake down it usually for the same old reasons. Fuel pumps die, alternators stop charging, ignition modules fry, timing belts break, batteries die, Brake lines pop, and or master cylinders let go, water pumps leak, and radiators let go.

Many of these break downs can be prevented with regular auto repair maintenance, and periodic inspections. Batteries only last 3-5 years, If your battery is more than 5 years old, now is the time to replace it. Don’t get stuck in the cold! Timing belts should be replaced every 60-90,000 miles, failure to do this maintenance may lead to costly engine damage.

Auto repair can be very expensive and inconvenient, we do all what we can, working with our customers to fit them in, even some nights and weekends. For people in a service business being with out their truck or service van can even cost them money. This is one reason we usually work late on Thursdays.

Posted in Auto Repair Industry | Tagged Auto repair, automobile repair, tewksbury | Comments Off

Clutch Replacement

Posted on June 28, 2010 by Big Mike

Clutch replacements are seldom needed nowadays. More often than not it is a brake down in the hydraulic system. Fewer and fewer cars are coming equipped with manual transmissions it seems. The ones that are equipped with them seem to be built better than older models.

Replacing your cars clutch component are relatively inexpensive. Take a later model Nissan for example, total parts cost about $300.00, this includes everything except the flywheel, which almost never needs replacing. Flywheels that have high spots can usually be resurfaced for less than $50.00. Now the labor is about $300.00 which brings the total clutch replacement for a Nissan to about $650.00

Well that’s what we charge at our shop, it will undoubtedly cost you a arm or leg if not your first born at a Nissan Dealership.

Posted in Auto Repair Industry | Tagged clutch, clutch replacement, clutch replacements, manual transmissions | Leave a comment

Toyota Brake Pads & Rotors

Posted on April 18, 2010 by Big Mike


Brake Jobs on Toyota | Brake Service

I have been doing a lot brake jobs on 2008 and 2007 Toyota SUV’s lately. I am very impressed with how long the brake pads and rotors last on these vehicles. I do brake work on all models, and have found Toyota brakes to be the best in terms of value.

With out question, I know most people are quoted $500.00 to have there vehicles brakes serviced. In this skeptical world we live in, we have learned, if it sounds to good to be true, it is!

So when I tell my customers that the actual cost of there brake job will be at least half what they were quoted, and that they will get “better parts”, I have mountains of skepticism to overcome. Luckily for me, most of my customers are sent to me from other happy customers.

Here is a something you should know about after market Toyota brake pads. Most of them are garbage and do not fit well. The only brake pads I will use on Toyota’s are NAPA brand Adaptive One Ceramic Hybrids. They cost 50.00 to 60.00 dollars (very expensive for brake pads – in case you did not know), but are worth every penny.

Toyota rotors must be made of better metal than other rotors, because they do not rot out as often as most other manufacturers rotors. Because of this, I often do not need to replace them. I am really super impressed with their rotors. The whole system is really quite great. Caliper pins do not lock up, calipers are light weight and durable. I am a legitimate fan of their brakes

Posted in Brake Repair | Tagged brake job, brake pads, brake service, Brakes, calipers, toyota brake service, Toyota brakes, Toyota service | Leave a comment

Why did my brake job cost so much?

Posted on March 23, 2010 by Big Mike

Any Advertised Brake Job Cost is Only an Estimate

You got an estimate for a brake job and it ended up costing more. Remember an estimate is just an estimate. Your car has to be disassembled and reassembled. If a bolt breaks or strips, the cost of your brake service just went up.

Also, most brake services estimates only include parts and labor for replacing brake pads. There are many other components that may need servicing or replacement. Some of the popular parts are; brake hardware, rotors, calipers, hoses, and brake lines.

Auto Parts Get Marked Up

If you end up needing extra parts for your brake service, the cost of your brake job can skyrocket. This is because most dealerships and repair shops charge you list price for the new parts, list price is 100% more than if you bought the part your-self. Some repair facilities charge more than list price.

Why brake rotors and pads cost more for one vehicle than another

Parts cost the least for the most popular models, parts cost the most for the least popular models. This is why parts cost more for newer model years. Until there are a lot of them on the road, manufacturers of parts limit the amount they produce. Limited quantity means hire prices.

Brake Job Cost Scenario

Typical cost of a rotor is 35.00. There are 4 of them on most cars today, so multiply that time 4 (4 x $35.00 = $140.00). But list price is minimum of $70.00 so you actually end up paying $280.00 for those rotors. Those rotors are not going to put them selves on, so you are charged 1 hour labor for the installation of these parts. Average labor rate being $90.00, your simple $150.00 brake job just cost you an additional $270.00 bringing your total to $420.00 (sound familiar?). God forbid you also need a caliper, brake line, or a wheel cylinder.

At my shop in Massachusetts

Marking up parts 100% is highway robbery. This is why at my shop, I do not mark up parts at all, in fact I pass along my volume discount to my customers (sometimes with mail in rebates too).

I believe brakes are one of the simplest repairs you can do to a vehicle, and should not command a labor rate of $90 + dollars. There are some diagnostics, and transmission work that should fetch such a lofty fee for specialized knowledge, but any monkey can do a brake job. This is why I charge so much less for my brake service (50.00 p/h).

Posted in Brake Job Cost | Tagged brake job, Brake Job Cost, brake job price, brake pads, brake service cost, brake service price, Brakes, caliper brake, estimates, replacing brake pads | 1 Comment

Brake Repair Sale | Promotion

Posted on February 26, 2010 by Big Mike


August Brake Service Special

Brake Parts at cost + a low labor rate!

We install premium rotors and high end ceramic brake pads, and most brake jobs cost less than $220.00

Model year cars between 2006 and 2010 cost $30-$50 more do to higher parts cost.

Call for a free phone estimate 978-973-6051 or 978-640-8818.

1875-b Main St
Tewksbury, MA 01876

We have been working as a auto mechanic and doing brakes for over 30 years. Count on us to do a great job, and install quality parts from Napa!

Posted in Promotions | Tagged Auto repair, brake coupons, brake pads, brake rebates, brake sale, Brakes | Leave a comment

Brake Problems – Toyota Rocket ships

Posted on February 1, 2010 by Big Mike

Toyota accelerator pedals are sticking on 8 different models, turning a otherwise gas efficient commuter car into a rocket ship.

So basically you let off the gas pedal and you don’t slow down. The problem with this is the brakes do not work during this condition on some models. The accelerator assembly is designed so you can’t press both the brake and gas pedal at the same time. If you do press both pedals at the same time, guess which one gets priority via the computer? You guessed it, the gas pedal.

So they have know about this issue with their Toyota models for awhile but the parts to repair the problem still are not available yet.

So imagine owning one of these car, you have been notified that at any moment you may not be able to decelerate. And oh, by the way, we can’t fix it. Hows your commute working for ya?

Ok, here the way not to crash, turn the key off and hit the brakes. The anti-lock braking feature will not work either with the key off. also the steering wheel may lock too.

Toyota suggests putting the car in neutral and put both feet on the brake pedal. I would try this first, then do what i said above.

This fly by wire was first introduced in fighter jets. There is suppose to be two redundant systems to override bad signals. This is the first time I have ever heard or this system failing.

I believe Toyota is a great company that stands behind their products, and seeks to make owners happy with their cars. The sale after the sale.

So look for Toyota to fix their gas pedal problems quickly, and keep an eye in the rear view mirror for the next couple months for Toyota Rocket Ships.
Check out our website for great deals and information on brakes

Posted in Brake Repair | Tagged accelerator assembly, brake pedal, Gas Pedal, sticky, stuck pedal | Leave a comment

Use it or Lose it – Your Vehicles Emergency Brake System

Posted on January 7, 2010 by Big Mike

Emergency brakes are there to save you if your hydraulic braking system should fail. In Massachusetts you can not get a inspection sticker for your car if your emergency brake system is in disrepair. So i wanted to give a little advice to keep your back up braking system in working condition.

If you own a late model Ford or Gm truck, you may be aware that the engineering on these e-brakes is crap, and you should pay extra attention to what i am about to say.

In this part of the country we get some pretty harsh weather, and most of the auxiliary brake components are exposed to these conditions. To keep your system from freezing up you need to use it. Most systems utilize cables that operate a cam, which applies the a set of shoes. Some systems use calipers that apply the same brake pads your main brake system uses. If these cables are not operated regularly, dirt and rust and even dust build up and make your cables bind or even lock up.

If your braking system works with a small set of shoes inside a rotor with a drum, rust and corrosion will build up on the surface of the drum section and they wont hold when applied. To keep the drum section clean I recommend lightly applying the e-brake while moving, this will help to keep the drum surface clean. Most e-brake shoes have a adjuster to maintain the distance from the shoe to the drum as brake shoes wear. Keeping the shoes properly adjusted and applying them should help.

On Mercury Mountaineers and Ford Explorers there is a two piece cam that seizes up, You will know this has happened if the E-brakes only hold in reverse.

The best maintenance for you emergency brake is use. You will almost never wear out the friction surface because they rarely are applied while moving. In my years of working as a mechanic, the systems that stay healthy are used a lot, like on a vehicle with a standard transmission. Only automatic transmissions have a parking pawl, sure you can leave a standard transmission in gear, and that is recommended, but most people use the e-brake.

Posted in Brake Repair | Tagged brake components, brake shoes, braking system, checy, e-brake, e-brake maintenance, emergency brake, emergency brake system, emergency brakes, Ford Trucks, gm truck, Mercury | Leave a comment