Big Changes Coming To The California Smog Check Program

The famously stringent California smog check program is headed for yet another set of updates scheduled to take place at the beginning of the new year.

Due to widespread reports of dishonest testing procedures by some smog check facilities, California officials have made changes that they hope will restore the integrity and increase the quality of smog inspections in California.

The brand new STAR smog check program is set to begin at the beginning of the new year.  It is not welcomed by all as some stations have failed to achieve high enough scores on their report cards in order to qualify for STAR certification.

For vehicle owners with newer model cars, the smog inspection process will likely become quicker, easier, and possibly cheaper.

For an in depth look at what the new STAR program will entail, take a look at our new informational video or read our new blog post.

Main Street Shell Service is open for smog inspections 6 days a week, Monday through Saturday.

Propane Pickup And Delivery Service Now Available In Santa Maria!

Main Street Shell Service in Santa Maria is now offering a FREE propane pickup and delivery service on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

If your workplace utilizes propane powered forklifts, it can be a real hassle to load up those empty tanks and haul them off to the filling station.

All of those trips can add up to a significant loss of productivity as either the business owner or employees have to leave the job site.

Main Street Shell Service is happy to take this burden off your hands.

We will pick up your empty tanks, fill them, and bring them right back to you and there is NO DELIVERY FEE!

Call us today at 347-0076 to schedule a time for pickup.

Good Communication Can Make A World Of Difference!

Let's face it, there are a handful of reasons why people don't look forward to taking their vehicles to the repair shop when something goes wrong.  

-It's inconvenient- I don't want to be without my car for very long.

-Fear of the unknown- how much is this trip to the auto repair shop gonna cost me?

-Can I trust this place? Am I going to get ripped off?

-What if they start finding more problems than the one I originally came in with?

These are all valid concerns and worries that can often be eased by ensuring that there is a good line of communication between you and the repair facility.

So what can you do to minimize the chances of surprises or unexpected bad news?

Take a look at this weeks Main Street Shell Service Blog post about the importance of excellent communication.  There are some great tips here that will help you during your next visit.

We have also launched our brand new Main Street Shell Service Youtube channel.

Check out our videos to learn more about our auto repair and smog check services.

October Is National Care Care Month- Are You Ready For Winter?

Breaking News!  The month of October is double important.  Not only is it Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it's also National Care Care Month.  As we say goodbye to the summer season, it's now time to make sure your vehicle is prepared for the often wet and cold months of winter.  What can you do to prepare?

Check out our new post here.

We would also like to announce the grand opening of our brand new Main Street Shell Service Youtube Channel!

Please stop by and check out some of our videos, we really appreciate it!

Don't Ignore That "Check Engine" Light

Nobody likes taking their vehicle into the shop for repairs, and it can be especially worrisome when you see that dreaded "check engine" or "service engine soon" light appear on your dash.

As much as you would like to ignore this warning and pretend everything is okay with your car, this light is coming on for a reason.  Pretending that the light isn't there won't make the problem go away, and could potentially make the problem worse.

Here is a good explanation from AutoNet TV about how the check engine light system works:

Like they said in the video, a check engine light is serious and needs to be diagnosed quickly to find out what the problem is.  For more information about check engine light diagnosis and car truck repair, check out our new blog post at www.mainstreetshell.com.

California Smog Check- Your Questions Answered

Are you a new California resident? Has it been awhile since your vehicle was due for a smog inspection?  Depending on your situation, you may have specific questions about what the state of California requires when it comes to vehicle emissions.  Main Street Shell Service is a smog check Santa Maria Gold Shield facility and has been providing smog inspection services for many years.

Here is a good video that explains the entire process of a smog inspection here in California.

You may still have some questions even after watching this video.

You can find a helpful question and answer section on our Main Street Shell Service blog.

Gas Prices Expected To Rise Or Fall? You May Be Surprised.

With the current state of affairs in North Africa and the Mid East, not to mention a fairly busy hurricane season in the gulf, it seems likely that gas prices would be expected to rise in the near future.

Check out the new Main Street Shell Service blog to get the full story.

Main Street Shell Service provides unleaded and diesel fuels as well as propane service 7 days a week.

We are a full service auto repair shop, smog check station, and brake and lamp inspection facility.

Give us a call and let us know how we can help.

A New Way To Budget For Vehicle Breakdowns And Repairs

Here at Main Street Shell Service, we don't like to be the bearers of bad news, but once in awhile we have to tell a customer the bad news that his/her vehicle is in need of a costly repair.

Have you ever been caught off guard by an unexpected breakdown or an expensive repair?  Perhaps the worst part of the experience is the unexpected dent in your bank account by the time the ordeal is over.

But what if you weren't unprepared?  What if you had done your due diligence and figured out a way to estimate how much it would cost to maintain your vehicle properly.

Fortunately, there is a new tool available at Edmunds.com that can help you figure out this information which will be specific to the vehicle you drive.

To find out more about this exciting new budgeting tool, check out this video.

And remember, discount coupons for auto repair, smog check, propane, and more are always available at mainstreetshell.com

46 Million Motorists Driving With Worn Out Wiper Blades!

It's true, we don't see a whole bunch of rain in Southern California, but we do get the occasional down pour in the winter time and if your wiper blades are worn out, you might be in for a dangerous ride with low visibility.  

It's strange to think of wiper blades as potential safety hazards, but if you're stuck in inclement weather, you can't see what's in front of you and that's dangerous!

Check out this clip from Autonet TV...  http://autonettv.mainstreetshell.com/maintenance/i-can-see-clearly-now-wiper-blade-replacement-in-santa-maria/

So don't wait until the life of your wiper blades are completely gone.  For the best automotive repair Santa Maria and to have your blades replaced, comes see us at Main Street Shell Service!

Is Your Vehicle Due For New Brakes?

One of the most important safety features associated with your vehicle is the braking system.  But how can you tell if it's time to have your brakes serviced?  Have you noticed any of the following warning signs:

- A low or spongy brake pedal

- Brake pedal is difficult to push down

- The brake light on your dash is illuminated

- You hear grinding or squealing noises 

- You feel vibrations when pushing down on the brake pedal

Check out this video for a complete explanation of why and when it's important to have your brake system serviced.

http://autonettv.mainstreetshell.com/brakes/brake-service/

For the best auto repair Santa Maria, trust your vehicle to the experts at Main Street Shell Service!

If You Are Reading This, Would You Do Us A Big Favor?

Hello there!  I wanted to spread the word a little bit and let the blogosphere know that Main Street Shell Service has had a Facebook fan page for quite some time.  Lately, it has been a little more active as some of our customers have begun to realize that we have an ever increasing internet presence.  We would love to have as many fans as possible so if you wouldn't mind taking a couple seconds to find us and "Like Us" on Facebook, we would very much appreciate it!  And remember, if you are in need of an auto repair or a smog check santa maria, please don't hesitate to stop by or give us a call.

Awesome Customer Reviews For Main Street Shell Service!

This post is about a fairly new customer review company who in my opinion is much more efficient and trustworthy than some of the dribble you find elsewhere on the internet.  This company will actually contact a number of our customers by telephone who have recently been to our business and ask them about their experience.  Customers also have the option of leaving a review on their own through Surecritic.com when they visit our website.  Hopefully some of the search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo will start giving a little more importance to the reviews that are collected from this site.  For the best smog check santa maria, you can go to our website and see the reviews for yourself.

Common Causes Of Smog Test Failure

Is your vehicle due for a smog check?  If so, the standards are constantly becoming tougher and tougher in an attempt to reduce the amount of air pollution in our atmosphere.  Before you bring your vehicle in, there are a few simple things you can do to better your chances of passing the smog inspection on your first try.

Check out this article from ehow.

Remember, for the quickest smog check santa maria and the best in santa maria auto repair, come see us at Main Street Shell Service.

Is A Dirty Fuel Injection System Slowing You Down?

Is your car running as well as it used to? Are you experiencing loss of power and reduced gas mileage?

Carbon buildup in your fuel injection system and clogged fuel injectors could be cause.  If this is the case, it's time to have your system flushed with a super potent cleaning solution that will set your vehicle free from engine gunk and blocked passages.

Here's a demonstration so you can get an idea of what to expect when you bring your vehicle in for a fuel injection flush.

http://www.ehow.com/video_5225923_clean-fuel-injectors.html

If you're not sure whether or not it's time for your vehicle to have it's fuel system cleaned, just stop by Main Street Shell Service in Santa Maria, CA for the best auto repair Santa Maria and have one of our expert technicians assist you.

Do what's right for your A/C system this summer!

It's summer time in the U.S. and in most parts of the country, it's important to have a fully functioning A/C system in your vehicle that can cool you off in the heat of the day.

Here are some tips to keep your A/C system in great working condition.

If your A/C system isn't keeping you cool, don't hesitate to bring your vehicle to Main Street Shell Service, the best in Santa Maria Auto Care!

California To Become Even Tougher On Smog Station Standards

California State legislation aims to crack down even harder on smog inspection stations throughout the state.

Main Street Shell Service continually strives to be in compliance with all state regulations and practices.  We are the ONLY Gold Shield certified facility in Santa Maria.

If your vehicle is due for a smog check Santa Maria then give us a call or come see us today.  

Correct Tire Pressure- More Important Than You May Realize!

How long has it been since you last checked your tire pressure?  Is it really that important? You bet it is!

By keeping your tires filled with the CORRECT air pressure, your vehicle will be safer, more comfortable to ride in, and get more mileage out of that expensive gas that everyone hates to buy!

Need more reasons?  Check This Out!  If you need help checking your tires for proper air pressure, we are always honored to be your choice for auto repair in Santa Maria.

What Causes Gas Prices To Rise And Fall?

What in the world is going on with gas prices lately?  When you work at a gas station, you receive a lot of questions like that.  So what is causing it? Is it trouble in the middle east? Hurricane season? 

Here is a short article with at least a few of the variables involved in the volatility of gas prices.

If you want another take on explaining the rise and fall of gas prices you can check out this video and draw your own conclusions!

As always, we hope this information was helpful and educational.

Provided by your local Santa Maria auto repair and gas station.

Warning! Keep Your Cooling System Clean!

How important is it to keep your vehicle's cooling system maintained properly?  If your cooling system is low on fluid, clogged, or corroded, it can cause damage to your engine and other components.

This short clip will show you what it looks like when clogs and corrosion attack and how important it is to keep your cooling system well maintained.

Main Street Shell Service is here for all of your Santa Maria auto repair needs.  If you need assistance with your cooling system, fuel system, power steering, transmission, or any other preventive maintenance service, just give us a call at 347-0076.

30 Ways To Increase Your Gas Mileage!

With gas prices climbing so rapidly, it's important for all of us to know how to get the best possible gas mileage from our vehicles. 
Here are a bunch of things you can do to maximize your fuel efficiency!

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Hope you find these gas saving tips useful - Brought to you by your #1 Santa Maria auto repair and gas station!

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