FAQ's
Frequently Asked Questions
General Service
Absolutely! We've been working on everything that rolls into our shop for over 45 years – from that reliable old Honda Civic that just won't quit to the European import that needs a little extra TLC.
Absolutely! There's nothing worse than that sinking feeling when you pick up your car and get hit with unexpected charges. That's why every job starts with a clear, written estimate that spells out exactly what we're going to do and what it will cost. We believe you have the right to make informed decisions about your vehicle, and that's impossible without honest, upfront pricing.
We stand behind our work because we believe in it. Every repair comes with our warranty on both parts and labor – the specific terms depend on the type of work performed, and we'll explain exactly what's covered when we give you your estimate. If something goes wrong with a repair we've done, just bring it back and we'll make it right. It's that simple.
The reality is that repair times vary widely depending on the complexity of the issue and parts availability. Simple maintenance like oil changes or inspections can often be done while you wait. More involved repairs might take a day or two, especially if we need to order parts. The key is communication – we'll give you a realistic timeframe upfront and keep you informed if anything changes.
Your car will usually give you plenty of warning before something major goes wrong, the trick is paying attention to what it's trying to tell you. Warning lights on your dashboard are the most obvious signals, but don't ignore changes in performance, unusual noises, or new vibrations. Also, stick to your maintenance schedule! Your owner's manual has service intervals for a reason. If you're not sure whether something needs attention, just give us a call and describe what you're noticing. We're always happy to help you determine if it's something urgent or if it can wait until your next visit.
While we always recommend calling ahead to make sure we can fit you in when it's convenient for you, we understand that car problems don't always happen on schedule, so we'll do our best to accommodate you. For more involved diagnostic work or when you're on a tight timeline, definitely give us a call at (860) 646-5036 to schedule an appointment.
Service Process
Our service advisor will listen carefully to your concerns and ask questions to fully understand what you've experienced with your vehicle. We'll then perform a comprehensive inspection and keep you informed throughout the entire process.
We'll never perform additional work without your approval. If we discover other issues while working on your vehicle, we'll contact you immediately to explain what we found and provide you with options
Maintenance & Prevention
Your owner's manual is your best guide for maintenance schedules, but we're here to help interpret those recommendations for your specific driving conditions. Severe driving conditions – like frequent short trips, dusty environments, or extreme temperatures, may require more frequent service.
It depends on your car, your driving habits, and what type of oil you use. The old "3,000 miles" rule doesn't apply to all vehicles anymore. With synthetic oil, many cars can go 5,000 miles between changes. Our advice is to follow your owner's manual, and when in doubt, check your oil monthly. Dark, thick, or gritty oil needs changing regardless of mileage.
Our comprehensive inspection covers all the systems that keep you safe and mobile. We check your brakes, tires, engine, transmission, steering, suspension, lights, and fluid levels. We'll prioritize any findings based on safety, then reliability, then performance.
the answer depends on the car's overall condition and what's wrong with it. I'll always give you my honest opinion about whether a repair makes financial sense. Sometimes a $500 repair on a car worth $3,000 is smart. Sometimes it's not. We'll help you make an informed decision - We're not here to sell you repairs you don't need.
Specialty Services
Absolutely. We're a state-certified facility for emission failure repairs (License #R1443). We'll diagnose why your vehicle failed, explain what needs to be fixed, and get you back on the road legally. Emission problems can be tricky, but with our diagnostic expertise, we'll get to the root cause.
Our focus is on keeping vehicles safe, reliable, and properly maintained. While we don't typically do custom modifications, we're happy to discuss your specific needs. If it's outside our wheelhouse, we'll recommend someone who specializes in that type of work.
Remember: At P&P Auto Repair, no question is too small or too basic. We’ve been in this business long enough to know that an informed customer is a happy customer. Call us at 860-646-5036 – we’re here to help.
