Questions and Answers
The following are answers to some of the questions that we frequently receive at our auto service repair shop. If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact us or come by our convenient Hilton Head Island location.
We are open Monday through Friday, 9AM to 5PM and Saturday by appointment only.
We accept cash, MasterCard, Visa, Discover, and American Express.
We are a full repair facility specializing in import and European vehicles, but have vast experience working on all makes and models of cars. We pride ourselves on repairing your car right the first time and carry top of the line diagnostic tools and equipment. We work on just about any make and model including these vehicles:
- Acura
- Aston Martin
- Audi
- BMW
- Buick
- Cadillac
- Chevrolet
- Infiniti
- Jaguar
- Jeep
- Kia
- Chrysler
- Dodge
- Ford
- GMC
- Honda
- Hyundai
- Land Rover
- Lexus
- Lincoln
- Mazda
- Mercedes-Benz
- Mini Cooper
- Mitsubishi
- Nissan
- Oldsmobile
- Porsche
- Scion
- Subaru
- Toyota
- Volkswagen
- Volvo
OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer
An Aftermarket part is any vehicle part not sourced from the vehicle’s manufacturer.
ASE is short for Automotive Service Excellence. Every ASE certified technician must have 2 years on the job training or 1 year in the job training and a 2 year degree in automotive repair in addition to passing the certification exam. A technician who passes multiple ASE exams can earn master status in one or more test series and must retest every 5 years to retain their certification.
Hoses should be checked at every oil change for hardening or softening. If the hose is hard or spongy, the hose should be replaced. Other signs that the hose needs to be replaced are cracks, damage and blistering.
There are a number of reasons brakes squeak, some may not be an indicator of trouble. When brakes wear down between 1/4th to 1/8th of an inch, a small metal rod called a “wear indicator,” becomes exposed. It’s purpose is to create a squealing noise to alert you that the brake pads need to be changed.
This can vary depending on the type of oil you put into your vehicle and vehicle manufacturer, however, most standard oil and filters require you to change the oil & filter every 3,000 miles or three months. Most synthetic oil and filters require every 5,000 miles.
Coolant should be changed every two years or 24,000 miles on vehicles with standard antifreeze. For extended life coolants, it requires less frequent changes and can be extended up to 8 years. Ask one of our service advisors for more information.
Your tires should be rotated every 6,000 miles or every other oil change. The tread on my tires is lower in some places uneven wear on your tires can indicate one or more issues including wheel alignment, improper balance, improper tire pressure or bent wheel. You should have your tires checked as soon as you notice the problem to prevent further damage.
Because of the nature of this business, it is difficult to pinpoint a specific time and date for repairs to be completed. Each repair is different, and there are many variables that can effect how quickly a repair is completed. We will always do our best to keep you informed on the status of your vehicle. As the repairs progress, we can give you a better idea of the estimated time and date of completion.
There are 5 main reasons why your car can become misaligned, some happen gradually while others are instantaneous which is where we will start. Usually, they are an accident, changing suspension or steering parts, towing, worn suspension bushings or steering components, or sagging springs. Regardless of the possible reason, if you car is driving oddly, veering to the right or the left, please contact us and we will check out your car.
SCE stands for South Carolina European Auto
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