Where do you take your car for general maintenance? (Arlington: high school, live)

[persnicketygal]

I'm coming up on a 7500-mile maintenance check (oil change, engine filter change, tire rotation, multipoint belt/etc. checks, etc.), and although I get fliers from the dealer, it's like $65 or so to do it there. And for this basic stuff (the car's running fine), I don't think I need to have the dealership do it.

Any places in the Alexandria/Arlington/Annandale area you go to for the basic stuff that you'd recommend? I have an auto mechanic close by for the big things that'll crop up; this job's not for him.

Two places I didn't like in the past with my previous car: Merchants on Leesburg Pike near King Street, and the Goodyear place on Rt 236 that's in the pretty-much-abandoned shopping strip in Fairfax (City?) near the Best Buy/Shoppers/Bed Bath & Beyond across from the high school.

Has anybody here gone to the new AAA "garage" in that area--in the strip mall with Trader Joe's and the bagel place?

(PS: I'm not skilled at doing an oil change and the other stuff myself.)

[Carlingtonian]

What kind of car? For Japanese makes, Japanese Auto Care and Japanese Auto Clinic (both in Arlington) are well regarded.

[persnicketygal]

It's a Hyundai

[Carlingtonian]

Hmm. I wonder if those places I mentioned might work on Hyundais as well. If not, they might be able to recommend someone.

Generally, independent shops (especially ones who specialize in just a few makes) tend to be more honest and competent than the dealerships or the complete generalists. Look for someone who's ASE certified.

[CaliTerp07]

For oil changes, when I lived near there I went to the Jiffy Lube near the intersection of Backlick/236 in Annandale. Dunno if they were anything special, but I never had to wait and they'd tell me what the check engine light meant for free--then I could decide if I wanted to take it to the mechanic or let them service it.

For anything more than that, I LOVE my mechanic--Backlick Service Station.

[OrangeFish]

Originally Posted by CaliTerp07

For oil changes, when I lived near there I went to the Jiffy Lube near the intersection of Backlick/236 in Annandale. Dunno if they were anything special, but I never had to wait and they'd tell me what the check engine light meant for free--then I could decide if I wanted to take it to the mechanic or let them service it.

For anything more than that, I LOVE my mechanic--Backlick Service Station.

This is where I go, too. Have been with them for at least 10 years.

[usuariofeliz]

Those services you mentioned are not car specific, what I mean is, any shop can do them for you.

I don't want to take away from the previous poster, but I've heard Jiffy lube is one of the worst places to go. Sometimes they won't even change the oil and will tell you they did. Or so I've heard.

[Carlingtonian]

Originally Posted by usuariofeliz

Those services you mentioned are not car specific, what I mean is, any shop can do them for you.

It really depends on the make. I've mentioned here before that brake rotors are easily warped on older Volvos if the mechanic doesn't know to drastically reduce the PSI on the lug wrench when tightening the lug nuts (or just hand-tighten them). (I learned this the hard way.) And some cars require particular oil filters, o-ring seals, etc. If it's a super-common car, like a Ford Escort or a Honda Accord, then I think most mechanics could do basic service on those. If it's anything remotely quirky or uncommon, I'd stick with someone who specializes in that make or nationality.

If you bring your VW Bug or Porsche 911 to a mechanic for engine work, and he starts to open the hood in front, RUN!

[CaliTerp07]

Originally Posted by usuariofeliz

I don't want to take away from the previous poster, but I've heard Jiffy lube is one of the worst places to go. Sometimes they won't even change the oil and will tell you they did. Or so I've heard.

I would imagine it varies based on the individual shop, wouldn't it?

[sullyguy]

Originally Posted by CaliTerp07

I LOVE my mechanic--Backlick Service Station.

I have literally-zero experience with this shop (er...Backlick Road Service Station) however, the folks on Yelp sure do like it.