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!