Common Questions, Straight Answers

We prefer appointments because it lets us allocate proper time for your vehicle and minimizes wait times. That said, if you have an urgent issue like a breakdown, call us at (207) 778-8552 and we will do our best to squeeze you in. Routine services like oil changes work best with appointments. Walking in works for simple things like state inspections if we have openings, but give us a ring first to save yourself a trip.

Our diagnostic fee is $89, and this gets waived if you proceed with repairs here. We believe in transparency—you will see the actual problem, not just our word for it. We will explain what is wrong and provide options before touching your wallet. That $89 covers a comprehensive scan, a test drive if needed, and a detailed written estimate. No hidden fees, no bait-and-switch.

Absolutely. All our labor comes with a 90-day warranty. If anything goes wrong with the work we performed, we will make it right at no extra charge. Parts are covered under the manufacturer warranty, typically 12 months or 12,000 miles. We use quality replacement parts from reputable suppliers, so failures are rare, but we stand behind our work regardless.

We are based in Temple, ME and serve the greater central Maine area including Waterville, Augusta, Lewiston, Portland, and surrounding communities. If you are within about an hour is drive, we have got you covered. We also have customers who visit us from further away because they appreciate our honest approach—just give us a call if you are not sure.

It depends on your vehicle and the type of oil you use. Modern cars with synthetic oil can often go 7,500 to 10,000 miles between changes. Conventional oil usually needs changing every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. However, if you do a lot of short trips, towing, or extreme temperatures, we recommend changing it more frequently. Check your owner is manual for the manufacturer recommendation, and if you are unsure, bring it in and we will take a look.

Listen and feel. Squeaking or squealing when you apply the brakes is a common sign of worn pads. A grinding sound means the pads are fully worn and metal is touching metal—get that checked immediately. If your pedal feels spongy or sinks to the floor, or if you notice a vibration when braking, those are also warning signs. If you are not sure, we will do a free brake inspection and tell you honestly if it can wait or needs attention now.

We will not pressure you into repairs you cannot handle. When we provide an estimate, we will clearly mark what is urgent versus what can wait. Sometimes there is a safety issue that really cannot be deferred—but we will explain exactly why. We also do not offer in-house financing, but we are always upfront about costs so you can plan your budget. Your safety matters to us, but so does your financial well-being.

Yes. We service domestic and import vehicles alike—Ford, Chevrolet, Toyota, Honda, BMW, Mercedes, you name it. Our team has experience across the board. The only things we generally leave to dealerships are specialized software updates that require brand-specific tools, but for most brake, engine, transmission, and electrical work, we have got you covered.

We wish we could, but cars are complicated. A weird noise or dashboard light could have five different causes. Without seeing the vehicle and running diagnostics, quoting a price or a solution over the phone would be irresponsible and probably wrong. Bring it in, or if you are stuck, describe the symptoms as specifically as possible and we will point you in the right direction.

We accept cash, all major credit and debit cards, and personal checks. Payment is due at the time of service. We do not offer payment plans or financing, but we are happy to provide a detailed receipt for any warranty or insurance purposes.