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Drivers are understandably hesitant to take their vehicle into an unknown auto repair shop. The industry has a bad reputation for pushing unnecessary services and unfair prices. Fortunately, there are good people out there who will fix your vehicle without giving you the run-around. Here are some tips for finding a mechanic in Marysville, WA, that you can trust.

Go Local

Independent, locally-owned shops have deeper ties to the community and rely entirely upon customer satisfaction for their success. Therefore, the mechanics you find there have more reason to deal honestly with you and go the extra mile to ensure you leave happy.

Look for Experience and Credentials

Your car is one of your most valuable assets, so you need to find a mechanic who really knows what they are doing. Research how long a shop has been open and any credentials they list to help decide if you’ll be in good hands. One credential you definitely want to check for is whether they are ASE certified. ASE is an independent, non-profit group that certifies auto repair professionals across the United States and Canada for competency.

Make Sure They Can Meet Your Needs

There’s no sense taking your domestic vehicle to a shop that specializes in foreign cars only, and you’ll be wasting your time talking to a mechanic who lacks the equipment to solve the specific problem you’re experiencing. If you’re not sure what’s wrong with your vehicle, find a shop that offers a broad array of services so you’ll be covered no matter what.

Many drivers want to know when is the best time to get new brake pads or brake rotors. The harsh truth is, there is no one size fits all answer. There are many factors that go into brake wear. Therefore, it is crucial that you get your brake pads, rotors, and fluid inspected regularly and topped up or replaced as needed. If you are driving and hear a lot of squeaking or screeching when you come to a stop, you’ll want to get brake service in Marysville, WA, as soon as possible.

Here are some factors that impact the lifespan of your brakes:

Personal Driving Habits

Some people ride their brakes more than others. Understandably, the more you use them, the more wear and tear they’ll get. If you jam on your brakes a lot, your breaks will not last as long.

Driving Conditions

Hilly roads and wet or snowy conditions contribute to increased brake usage. Additionally, dealing with a lot of stop-and-go traffic in your daily commute puts more wear on the brakes, causing a need for brake service.

Quality of Brakes

Your owner’s manual will have a factory recommended maintenance schedule for when to replace brake pads and rotors for your vehicle. However, the factors stated here may impact the lifespan of those original brake components.

Not every vehicle is created equal. The main principles for the engine and electrical system are the same, for instance, but each manufacturer’s construction methods are different. This can be especially apparent with import automobiles compared to domestic models, where specialized training is often needed to work on them.

At Stryker Brothers, we are skilled and experienced with all types of vehicles. We’ll tell you here how to find a specialist for foreign auto repair in Marysville.

Taking your foreign car to the dealer for repairs can be very expensive due to the high labor rates and the cost of factory parts. You should look for an independent shop where their technicians have the required training to work on all models but without charging elevated prices. Talk to an employee of the service center to find out if they offer foreign auto repair and what they charge for labor.

These garages will tell you right up front if they work on all models or specialize in a few brands. Ask if they have flat hourly rates or do they expect more to work on a Japanese car, for instance, as compared to one from Detroit. Check the repair center’s website and look for testimonials. If they have several and they’re all different, then it’s a good sign that they do reliable work.

A vehicle is an investment. Cars, trucks, and SUVs aren’t cheap, and keeping them in top condition is essential to getting the most value from them. That’s doesn’t even include the more important consideration of safety because a well-maintained automobile is a safe one. Auto repair is our specialty at Stryker Brothers Automotive Marysville, and we’re happy to provide tips.

Of all the vehicle systems, braking can be considered one of the most important. After all, making sure your car stops safely is crucial at any speed. Brake repairs should be completed right away from simple fluid top-ups to complete pad and disc replacement.

Let’s talk about the importance of keeping an engine at optimum temperature. An overheating motor won’t do its job. The cooling system ensures this won’t happen. Making certain coolant levels are within limits, and damaged hoses or radiator leaks are fixed immediately are vitally important auto repairs.

Sometimes air conditioning service is overlooked because people might think it’s not linked to auto performance, but it is. An inefficient AC system can impact engine performance and fuel economy. It’s essential to have yours checked regularly.

Finally, there can be a problem with your vehicle, and it needs auto repairs, but you’re not sure what. In those cases, a shop with full diagnostic capabilities is your best friend. Tracking down the problem with high-tech equipment is much easier than describing it to a technician.

Safety has to be the number-one concern of any motorist. That extends from driving habits to the condition of their vehicle. If both are in peak form, it makes for a pleasant driving experience and roads that aren’t a challenging daily danger. We can’t help with your driving skills at Stryker Brothers Automotive, but we can tell you how vital vehicle maintenance in Marysville, VA, is for every motorist.

Keeping your automobile in top condition pays off in many different ways. If you take a bit of time to have your vehicle maintenance looked after by trained and experienced technicians, it saves you plenty of money by preventing expensive repairs in the future. Minor issues are caught and corrected before they become costly jobs.

Maintaining your vehicle also makes sure that it’s fuel-efficient. Simple things like properly inflated tires, regular oil, and filter changes add up to a car that gets better mileage than one that is neglected.

By having a focus on vehicle maintenance, you are also assured your car, SUV, or truck is roadworthy. In addition, a safe auto will also pass state motor vehicle inspections meaning you can drive with confidence.

When your car breaks down or starts making suspicious noises that even the radio can’t drown out, it’s time to get it looked at by a mechanic. But choosing the right auto repair shop in Marysville, WA, isn’t just about going to the nearest place. Each repair shop should have the expertise and experience to deal with the problem efficiently and carefully. As a customer, you should feel free to ask your local shops questions about their mechanics and the types of services they provide.

If you’re on the lookout to find the best auto repair shop, here are some things you should consider:

• Look for Experience
• Avoid Certain National Chains
• Remember That Price Varies
• Read the Reviews
• Compare Dealer vs. Local Shop

An auto repair shop should always have mechanics that have the right experience and find the cause of your car’s issues, not cover up its symptoms. It’s essential to check reviews online and consult with the head mechanic on how many years they’ve been working at their current repair shop. It’s also a good idea to pay close attention to the prices they charge. Take these things into consideration when deciding which auto repair shop you want to commit to.

Owning a vehicle is more a necessity than a convenience, and it’s not without demands. In addition to licensing, registration, and insurance, you have to take into account maintenance. Car care in Marysville, WA, is an ongoing commitment you have to stick to so your vehicle is safe and sound for the road.

At Stryker Brothers Automotive, we’ve worked on thousands of vehicles in our 40 years of operation, and we’re going to tell you what we consider the essentials of car care. With this information, you can ensure your automobile is ready to go when you are.

Let’s start with the engine because if it doesn’t work well, you’re not going to get far or anywhere at all. An oil change is a simple task that pays off in longevity and smooth operation for your motor.

Keep a close eye on the fluid levels such as coolant, transmission, power steering, and brakes. These need to be checked consistently to make sure they are within limits. Excessive fluid loss can indicate a leak or another problem with the vehicle. It’s car care checks such as these that find minor problems before they become significant, expensive issues.

When you need car care in Marysville, WA, be sure to take your auto to a shop where experienced professionals can perform diagnostics to find the problem and fix it for you right away. It’s a matter of safety.

You don’t realize just how important your car, truck, or SUV is in your life until you aren’t able to use it. Having to take cabs, public transport, or grab rides from friends and family can make even the most menial tasks a stress-inducing chore. So how does someone reduce the odds of having their vehicle stuck in the shop for days, weeks, or months? The answer is with routine vehicle maintenance in Marysville, WA.

Taking your car or truck to a professional allows them to perform all of the maintenance work requested by your vehicle’s manufacturer as well as make notes of any potential problems or upcoming work you might need to be performed. This helps you reduce your overall costs now, and better plan for future repairs so that they don’t sideswipe you and your bank account.

A good mechanic will keep you informed about any work you need while ensuring fluids are topped off, filters are changed, and any minor repairs are addressed. They will also give you an idea of when you should come back to the shop for any follow-up maintenance. Sticking with a routine maintenance schedule is one of the easiest and smartest ways to extend the life of your car or truck so that you get the most out of your investment.

As you may already know, different auto repair shops offer different car services. Some shops may cater to quick services that get you in and out within an hour or two, while others cater to more detailed reviews. In either case, it’s imperative to know the basics of car services so you can take your vehicle to the right place.

Oil and Filter Change

This is one of the most basic car services that most shops provide. Where you take your car to get an oil change may factor into the price of service, but it’s usually very affordable. During your oil and filter change, you may also receive other minor yet helpful maintenance features like tire pressure check and rotation, as well as fluid top-offs.

Interim Service

The interim service varies from shop to shop, but typically this service includes a visual inspection of about 35 or more components of the vehicle. This ensures optimal performance, even if no changes are required at the time of review. Some items checked may be your suspension, brake pads, fuel lines, and timing belt.

Full Service

The current recommendation for a full service for most cars is every 12 months or 12,000 miles (whichever comes first). A full service is a more in-depth version of the interim service. It usually includes checking the coolant system, throttle response, distributor cap condition, and mounts for your gearbox and/or engine and providing repairs when necessary.

Major Service

This is similar to the full service, and some shops may not offer it since it is included in their full-service package. For those that don’t, it usually includes the inspection and replacement of spark plugs.

Manufacturer Service

This service is the most comprehensive and expensive. This is because it includes an in-depth inspection of every item in your vehicle’s service manual. From engine and transmission to electrical and computer systems, nothing goes unchecked. As far as car services go, this is the big one and isn’t needed often.