Easter and Passover

We at Mattei’s Garage would like to express our gratefulness to all our customers.  Its more important than ever to be with our family and friends during this challenging time.  We will be closing this Friday, April 10th in celebration of Passover and Easter.  We will reopen on Monday, April 13th, and operate our regular business hours.

Lastly, Mattei’s would like to wish God’s blessing and peace on everyone of you.  Have a happy Passover and happy Easter.

 

Labor Day is just around the corner and many of us will be traveling that weekend.  A recent article by Kayak indicates that there will be more travelers in 2023 than last year.  This is despite the fact that fuel prices are high, and school has started in most places around the nation.   Nevertheless, while this is a heavy traffic weekend, most of us will procrastinate about getting our vehicle serviced prior to the holidays.  If you wait to late, any needed repairs may not get completed before hitting the highway.

Certainly, no one wants to see a trip ruined by a dead battery or worse.  We at Mattei’s Garage pride ourselves on our basic oil service.  In fact, we don’t just change the oil, but we service the vehicle.  That is why we call it oil service.  This helps ensure that you do not have an unexpected problem away from home.

So, whether your headed to the lake, the beach or catching the start of college football season, don’t forget to have your car serviced at Mattei’s Garage.  Please note, procrastinators may be disappointed as we are closed Friday, September 1st, so give us a call and we will get you scheduled.  We can be reached at 901.683.3158.

Back to School

School is starting soon! Have your vehicle checked before heading off to college or even just down the road! Call us today at 901-683-3158 or come by the shop! 

AC Service a Must

It may only be March but A/C season is just around the corner.  Don’t wait for the dog days of summer to have your system checked.  Refrigerant prices are on the rise and space is limited.  So, call Mattei’s Garage to schedule and A/C service.  We can be reached Monday through Friday at 901-683-3158.  To learn more about our AC Service,  click here.   Lastly, for some basic information on how the system works, see this article at How Stuff Works.

No Ordinary Service

When searching for “auto repair Memphis”, look no further than Mattei’s Garage.  We have been serving the Memphis community since 1972.  We attribute our longevity to, among other things, our focus on exceptional customer care.  Whether you are in need of basic maintenance our more critical auto repair, we can help.

For example, our basic oil service includes a multipoint inspection that others do not.  In fact, many of the things we check are included in many manufacturers’ 25,000 or 50,000 mile maintenance cycles.  Lastly, the cost is for our oil service is about what others charge for a basic oil change.

So, when it’s time for your next oil change, don’t take chances searching for auto repair shops around Memphis or auto repair near me.  Simply call Mattei’s Garage.  For a complete list of the services we provide, just click here.

We can be reached by calling 901-683-3158 or on the web at www.matteisgarage.com.

In the Market for a New Used Vehicle?

Looking for a used vehicle?  Expect used car prices to continue to fall.  Industry sources say that rising interest rates are leading to higher repossessions.  These factors will lead to greater used car inventories and consequently, lower prices.

KEEP YOUR CAR RUNNING SMOOTH BETWEEN OIL SERVICE

Proper and timely maintenance is the most important thing you can do to insure your car runs.  Car manufacturers have worked to extend the time between oil service and other maintenance.  New synthetic oils last longer, so they protect moving parts inside your engine better than conventional oils of the past.  Fewer visits to the car mechanic mean its more important than ever to check your vehicle between service.

The following suggestions should keep your vehicle running long into the future.  Its a good practice to complete the following tasks monthly.  If you are planning a trip, do these simple tasks before you hit the road, or bring it to Mattei’s Garage for service.

Check Your Fluids

Engine oil, brake fluid, antifreeze and, if equipped, power steering fluid are easily accessible, simply by raising the hood.  If you are unsure how to check these fluids, stop by Mattei’s Garage and we will be happy to help you.  When checking antifreeze, be sure that the engine is cold .  Hot coolant can reach temperatures over 200 degrees (F).  If you open the reservoir or radiator when its hot, it can spew out and scald you.

Check Tire Pressure

Its important to keep your tires inflated properly.  They will wear better if properly inflated and maintained.  We can help with this as many of the gas station air pumps let more air out of your tire than they add.  At a minimum, get a tire gauge and check the pressure regularly.

Check Your Wiper Blade

Wiper blades are a safety item that gets overlooked by many of our customers.  Cheap blades can become useless in about 3 months.  Quality blades should last about one year.  If your blades don’t clean the window, you will not be able to see.  That means you will have difficulty driving.  If the blade is good, it will sit perpendicular to the windshield.  If it doesn’t, simply replace them.

Finally, if you would like more information about proper maintenance, click here for a great article from Car and Driver magazine.  Lastly, if you are in need of car repair service im Memphis, don’t search for “auto repair near me,” just call Mattei’s Garage.  We can be reached at 901-683-3158.  For further information, see our web site or check us out on Facebook, Twitter and soon on Instagram.

OPEN FOR BUSINESS!

Safe At Home

As many of you know, Mayor Strickland issued a “Safe at Home” decree that goes into effect tonight at midnight. The decree will remain in effect through April 7th. Many businesses have been asked to close during this time to help stem the spread of the Corona virus. However, some businesses have been deemed essential by the government and will remain open. Auto repair facilities such as Mattei’s Garage are on the list, and we will remain open. For a complete list of essential services, please click here.

How We Can Help

Obviously, things our very fluid, but we plan to work our regular business hours. In addition, we are prepared to accommodate anyone who is reluctant to leave their home. For example, we are more than happy to pick up your car and bring it here for work. We will also deliver it back to you once we are done. We are also asking those who come by not to come into the shop. Instead, we will come out to you. This will help us comply with social distancing recommendations from the CDC. Lastly, we also have an Uber account and can accommodate those who can get their car here but need help getting home.

We all need to pull together as we deal with the inconvenience that the Corona virus has created. We are praying that the measures by the government will slow the spread of infections, and we are here to help anyone we can if that makes life a little less stressful. Lastly, we are open to any suggestions you might have that improves our service. If you have questions, or are in need of any help, please call us directly at 901.683.3158. You can also go to our website for more information about our business and list of services we provide. If we are unavailable and you need a tow, call Null’s Towing at 901.383.2214. Current customers should use our roadside service by calling 800.457.0019. Click here for our full warranty details.

The Right to Repair

We have recently witnessed some confusion on the part of our customers regarding warranty issues and their repair rights.  Questions arise about who can perform repairs or maintenance, primarily if the vehicle is under a factory warranty.  Some people are under the misperception that the dealer must perform maintenance and routine repairs on their vehicle.  The implication is unethical and possibly illegal.

As a reminder, the warranty is a promise by a new car manufacturer to perform certain repairs on their products.  Warranties cover the vehicle against manufacturers defects for 3 years or 36,000 miles.  Factory warranties should not be confused with extended warranties.  Extended warranties are insurance contracts that provide coverage for all types of car repairs.  They supplement the new car warranty, and vary by provider and vehicle make and model. Most any shop will honor an extended warranty policy.  Nevertheless, a dealer must honor the manufacturers warranty, no matter who does repairs and maintenance.

Aftermarket parts will not impact the warranty contract either.  For example, if the factory belt breaks, it doesn’t have to be replaced with a factory part.  A Gates Belt is designed and manufactured to the factory specifications.  They are excellent products and used by many shops, including ours.

In conclusion, you have the right to have anyone repair your vehicle.

  • Whether your car is new or old, aftermarket parts are excellent replacement for factory parts.
  • Independent shops can provide expertise on par with dealerships, and in some cases can provide better service.

So don’t let anyone convince you that you have to go to a dealership for repairs.  YOU HAVE RIGHTS AND YOU HAVE A CHOICE.

For further information, the Auto Care Association has some excellent information about Right to Repair and the impact it will have on evolving technology like telematics.  Also, for information about routine maintenance, aftermarket parts and warranties, the following link provides some thoughts from the Federal Trade Commission.

Why Pay For a Diagnosis On My Car?

Those Pesky Diagnostic Fees

One of the more common questions we are asked is, “can you waive my diagnostic charge if I let you repair my vehicle?” Unfortunately, the answer is no. Many of our customers are unsure why we charge the fee.  Simply put, the fee pays for the technicians time, experience and knowledgeThe Crux of the Matter

The Cruz of the Matter

The next step is the most critical and lies at the heart of the diagnosis. Once the codes are removed from the computer, our technicians use their knowledge and experience to diagnose the problem. This can be relatively involved and time consuming.  This is primarily what is covered by the diagnostic fee.  Once that is completed,  we can provide an estimate for any necessary repairs. Again, pulling the codes from the computer does not equate to a diagnosis.  We will perform that step at no charge.

Fix The Car, But Drop the Charge 

You might ask, “why do some shops choose to drop their fee?” Studies have shown that they don’t actually drop the fee, but include it in the labor portion of any recommended repairs. This doesn’t happen in every case, but we believe that it happens in most cases. We would rather remain transparent with our customers so they know exactly what they are paying for and why.

Warranty and Repair
So, the next time you have to pay for a diagnosis for your car repair, remember that the charge is paying for something important.  Additionally, Mattei’s Garage will provide a warranty for the diagnosis. That means you aren’t liable for the work we if we do not diagnose your problem correctly.

So, if your cars starts acting up, or the check engine light pops on, don’t stress.  Just call Mattei’s Garage!  We are open from 8-6 Monday through Friday, and can solve most all your car problems.