Car repair in San Jose

Posted on January 9, 2012 by admin

There are two things most people hate spending money on dental work and car repair, especially after the holidays.  Neither are pleasant experiences and both can be quite costly.  (no offense to the dentists in the group) However, just like preventative dental care saves you money in the long run, preventative car maintenance can save you money.  Bring your car to your auto repair shop in San Jose for its regular “check-up”.  This will help you stay on top of things and allow you to catch potentially expensive auto repairs before they get there.  Regular automotive repair and maintenance can keep your vehicle running at optimum performance as well as keeping things assessed so that when something isn’t right you can catch it before it leaves you stranded.

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Auto safety during the holidays

Posted on December 12, 2011 by admin

     I know this sounds crazy!  Believe it or not more vehicles get stolen and/or broken into during the holidays than any other time of the year!  There are a few things you can do to “deter” said intruders.

1.  Keep anything “enticing” out of sight.  This means electronics, packages, bags that might be misconstrued as packages, even electronics cords.  Another  hot item is Cd’s or DVD’s and GPS units.  These are easy to steal and move in the market without being detected.

2.  Do put your alarm on.  I know they can be annoying.  However, even the little blinking light can deter the wishful.

3.  Park in well-lit areas whenever possible.  This keeps many at bay, due to the possibility of being seen.

4.  Don’t talk in the parking lot about where you live or where you are going, ie. to eat or shopping.  This gives a time frame and opportunity.

Overall these are basic ideas but they can save your vehicle and you from damage and theft.  Automotive safety during the holidays is easy by just following a few steps.

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Winterize your vehicle….

Posted on October 20, 2011 by admin

Most of you might say, “Why would an auto repair shop in San Jose, CA  write about winterization?  They don’t even know what winter is?”  Well, there is some truth to that, however we Californian’s like our vehicles and tend to travel in them, especially to the snow.   (we have to visit, because it is not readily available)  Anyway there are some things you should check no matter where you live to make sure your vehicle is ready for climate changes.

1. Check your fluids – this means, oil, anti-freeze; Oil needs to be the right viscosity, or thickness for this time of year.  Oil will often thicken the colder it gets which keeps it from properly lubricating.  In regards to anti-freeze or coolant every vehicle requires a certain mixture of coolant tot water.  Your owner’s manuel will tell you. If either fluid needs changing or exchanging your best bet is to bring it to a local shop, they can take care of it quickly and have the systems set in place to dispose of the waste. Oil and filter changes are the basic of basics to a healthier running vehicle.

2.  Check your windshield wiper blades; First question to ask is, when its raining and I turn on my wipers is it worse or better.  Your blades should be changed every year for optimum performance.  The rubber on the blades gets hardened due to changes in climate from water to intense heat.

3. Examine your belts and hoses; They need to be checked for wear and tear.  Believe it or not they can split or crack a lot easier in winter. If the split or crack turns into a break it can leave you stranded

4.  Check your tire pressure; if your tires are properly inflated they will have the best traction, which can be severely jeopardized in wet, snowy or icy conditions.  Air pressure drops as the weather gets colder.

5.  Make sure you carry some for of an emergency kit; especially if there is a road trip in your future.

These are just a few suggestions to help your vehicle through the winter.  As always, taking it to a auto repair shop makes the tasks seem less daunting.

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Tire rotation – when and why?

Posted on October 10, 2011 by admin

If you are like a lot of people in the world you may not even know that your tires on your vehicle need to be rotated, let alone why.  Well, we are here today to tell you that yes they do need to be rotated on a regular basis and we can tell you why.

Lets face it without tires on your vehicle you wouldn’t get very far!  Even without just one tire on a four tire vehicle you wouldn’t travel very much distance.  Tires are the legs of the vehicle,  it is recommended that they be rotated every 3,000 to 5,000 miles depending on miles covered and type of driving.  Tire rotation can be done at the same time as your oil change or maybe every other oil change this will help you remember.

Tire rotation helps with evening out tire wear by allowing each tire to serve in as many of the vehicle’s wheel positions as possible.  Tire wear on a vehicle typically equipped with four tires show up the most on the front tires.  The tasks encountered on a front-wheel drive vehicle are much different than those of a rear-wheel drive vehicle.  Each wheel position, can cause different wear patterns and rates, thus allowing uneven wear in tires.  It is an advantage when all four tires wear together because as wear reduces a tire’s tread depth, it allows all four tires to respond to the dirver’s need more quickly.

If you replace tires in sets of four, you will maintain the original handling balance. Replacing in sets of four also allows you to experience new advancements in product to the maximum.

Overall tire rotation is one of those necessary vehicle maintenance tasks in order to keep your vehicle running and performing at its best. We provide this service at our San Jose auto repair shop when clients bring their vehicles in for routine service.

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October is National Car Care Month

Posted on October 3, 2011 by admin

The very title sounds like a sales pitch but I guarantee that it is a real thing.  It is sponsored by the National Car Care Council.  An organization that’s motto reads, “Be Car Care Aware”.  Their idea is simple the better care you take of your vehicle the less money it will cost you in the long run.  “Be Car Care Aware” is a consumer education campaign about the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair. 

Car Care Month is conducted by individual shops around the country in an effort to help people to take better care of their vehicle and therefore better care of their pocket book and the environment.

B&C Auto Center provides quality car repair and maintenance in San Jose.  We are participating in Car Care Month starting today.  We want to protect our customers’ second largest investment by providing the proper care and maintenance of their vehicle.   Regular maintenace checks and minimal service checkups can greatly reduce the cost of car ownership.  Visit us, your neighborhood vehicle maintenance and repair shop in San Jose.

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Auto Repair and Cleanliness seem to be an oxymoron…

Posted on September 15, 2011 by admin

Why is it that these two subjects, Auto Repair and Cleanliness, seem to contradict one another?  Not to mention, the fact that you are up against two opinions in regards to the subject.  The first is that if an auto repair shop is clean then they don’t repair autos well.  The second is that if they aren’t clean then they are disorganized and don’t care about your vehicle.  Now granted there are many variations on these two opinions but the fact is how do you rectify them?

We think that cleanliness is always better.  It makes a better statement about the work that the auto repair shop does.  It states that they pay attention to detail and are concerned with the customer’s needs and perceptions.  Besides who wants to go in and drop off their car and come out with grease on their hands or shirt.  If you don’t want to fix your own car that’s why you bring it in.

In addition, cleanliness can mean better organization which translates to you, as a customer, to lower prices.  If tech and service writers are organized jobs take less time and therefore cost less.

We understand that you have the perception that to do a good job you have to get your hands dirty.   However, only the automotive technicians are really the ones who have to get their hands dirty.  With that being  said we can assure you that our auto repair shop in San Jose is clean and better run shop.

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What’s in an Emergency Roadside kit?

Posted on September 1, 2011 by admin

If you are at all like a lot of the men I know, you don’t see the need.  If you are like the women I know you think no big deal I have AAA or some other roadside assistance program.  I am here to tell you that a roadside emergency kit is imperative!  I have AAA and many times I have needed to call them, however there have been multiple times when I have used my roadside kit and its contents instead. 

The question shouldn’t be, “Should I?”  it should be “When I do what is best to have in it?”  That being said, auto repair and maintenance is not something you WANT to do on the side of the road…… but you want to be safe when you are stuck on the side of the road.  Thus the name “Emergency….. roadside kit”.

So as the contents go, there are many opinions/suggestions on its contents.  I am going to try and give you the basics plus some…..

The basics in your kit should look something like this…

                       Gloves, flares, rags, jumper cables, a lighter, a flash light and water.

Now we are not “survivor-man” here but here are some additional items you might want to enclose if you live in colder climates,traveling further or in diverse weather conditions….

      kitty litter or sand ( helps with traction on slippery surfaces), a blanket or two, some non-perishable food items, a multi-tool knife, a roll of duct tape (the all purpose everything tool) and a first-aid kit.

Granted, you might need an SUV to carry it all in but you will thank yourself in the long run.  In any event, if you do get stuck by the road, don’t try to fix it yourself call a professional auto maintenance repair shop that you trust and most of the time they will send someone to get you and your car.

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Automotive Repair and the Basics

Posted on August 29, 2011 by admin

In all of marketing right now you hear the term “Back to Basics” or “Back to School Basics”  or something about narrowing down things to what you really “need” (need being relative).  Automotive Repair can be one of those purchases that is difficult to determine what is really basic or necessary.  There are so many confusing messages out there when it comes to Auto Repair and what is basic or common or needed and what is “fluff” or “up-sale” or “dishonest”.  If you are like me, not a mechanic and dependent on what your mechanic or shop tells you, then this question is even more difficult to answer. 

I think a lot of it depends on trust and mutual respect.  There is a balance between the shop owner/manager and customer that has to be present.  This balance comes from the realization that you both need each other.   You as the customer, more often than not, are not going to fix your own vehicle.  The shop owner/manager needs you and your business to keep him IN business. I realize that for the customer there are many choices available out there for automotive repair.  However finding someone with whom there is a mutual respect is not easy.  Also finding a shop with a good price and fit is also with that respect is even harder. That being said, when you do find the right shop rely on it for the answer to the “Basics” question.  A good shop will give you good advice and information. Their livelyhood depends on it! 

The Basics can mean different things to different people but I think that in auto repair there are a few basics that we can agree on.  The first is routine oil and filter changes.  These keep our car running at optimum performance and that helps with gas mileage and avoiding costly repairs.  The second is tires and brakes.  We need both of these routinely checked and repaired to be safe. Tires rotated and properly inflated help to maintain optimum gas mileage and keep you safe in diverse weather conditions.  Another basic is truly basic.  It is checking your fluid levels, like power steering, coolant etc.  These checks help to make sure that major damage doesn’t take place and cost you more.  One basic that ofter gets overlooked is wipers.  Wiper blades realistically need to be changed every year.   Changing weather from hot to cold cause the rubber on the blades to harden and crack and then their performance is compromised.  Compromised wiper performance means compromised vision which can lead to accidents.

I can tell you that I do not like to spend my money on auto repair but I would rather spend it on an oil change than engine over-haul.

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Women & Auto Repair Shops

Posted on August 18, 2011 by admin

Ok, so I know this may seem like an oxymoron.  Like the two do not go, but that is further from the truth.  Woman are in a need to know category.  They know a ton about all the things they need to know,  enough to make them dangerous!  Woman HAVE to know something or  a lot  about almost everything in this world.  They function in so many levels of society, moving quickly and discreetly from one responsibility to the next, often assuming the role of the ever present and ever focused.  It’s a gift really an ability to function rationally an emotionally.  OK, these are generalizations but you get the point. However, when it comes to auto repair we have to be aware of the stealth and knowledge.

Woman make up an estimated 60% – 80% of the automotive customer base.  That is huge.  So in response we need to be considerate of them and their perceptions.  Woman are concerned with the organization and cleanliness of a place and their customer service.  While men are most concerned with the lowest price no matter what the service is like to get it.

Woman purchase 52% of the new cars out there and influence 85% of purchases.  They are also the ones who schedule, and make the auto repair appointments between 65% and 80% of the time.  So in short we need to pay attention to them.  Why would you turn away a customer if you had the ability to win them over.  Women want to be heard in their concerns, for things to be relayed to them in a non-patronizing  and digestible way.  They want questions answered and their vehicle fixed right the first time.  In addition they want the automotive repair shop to be clean and organized. 

Cleanliness is common sense and organization gives people the confidence in your work, so these two things are easy.  Maintining an non-patronizing tone and a speak to the customers’ level while having that tone can be difficult.  There are two things to remember that will make this easier.  One, we are in business because of and for the customer!  Without them we would be nothing!!  Two, why would we turn away 60% (and I’m being conservative) of our customers just because we don’t want to learn to speak differently?  or help someone understand their own needs.  Yes it takes a little more effort and time, but time well spent for a life-long customer.   

So take a little time, clean up the shop, put your best wrench forward and speak clearly and who know your automotive shop may increase its customers!

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Auto Repair Shop & You

Posted on July 14, 2011 by admin

Choosing an auto repair shop in San Jose or anywhere can be daunting and we’ve been talking about how to choose the right one for you.  We’ve handled price, location, reputation, recommendation and now we talk fit.  Not does it fit your schedule or your foot, but does the shop’s personality fit yours.  I work with a lot of clients and vendors in my line of work and sometimes our personalities crash, so one or both of us move on. Its not a bad thing it just is something that needs to happen.  Everyone works more efficiently when there is a fit. The same can fall true when choosing an automotive repair shop.  The personality of the shop is apparent from the service managers to the automotive technicians and the overall “look” and appearance of the shop.  If someone or something doesn’t agree with you or turns you off, you might have a difficult time.  It might work into a situation where it ruins or hinders trust or competence and that is not good for the shop or you.  Overall, fit is a personal issue, however like a great pair of shoes, if they don’t fit, they will cause pain over the long run.

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