Auto Repair

Ocean Street Auto is a full-service auto repair shop. That can mean a lot of things so allow us to be clear about what we do.

Diagnosis

First and foremost, we begin with an accurate diagnosis. Our customers call us complaining of symptoms. “I hear this tapping noise when I accelerate”. “My brakes seem to vibrate”, and of course, “my engine light is on”. If you ever watched the popular public radio series Car Talk then you know how much fun Click and Clack had getting customers to mimic the noise their car is making. It takes three things to get an accurate diagnosis of your car’s problems. First, you have to have the right tools. It’s not just wrenches and lifts anymore. Cars are rolling computers and it takes sophisticated computerized diagnostic scanners to get your car to answer the question “where does it hurt. We have those tools but that is only one third of the equation. Knowhow and experience are essential to properly diagnosing the problem and even more necessary for proposing a solution that keeps our customers on the road at a price that makes sense for their budget and the age and condition of the vehicle. Most importantly taking the time and making the effort to listen carefully to our customers makes all the difference in finding the problem and the right solution. We pride ourselves on being good at all three.

Plan

Often times there are a number of solutions to the same problem. Exhaust systems are a great example. It is easy to recommend replacing parts but in many cases a patch or a flex pipe will quiet the exhaust and merit a sticker. Which course is best depends on the age of the car, the customer’s driving habits and budget? The choice of parts is also important. A rebuilt starter or alternator is often the best choice for an older vehicle. The same is true for big jobs like transmissions or engines. The best choice is one that involves the customer. That is why we are happy to take you out into the shop and show you what the issue is and what your options are. Once we agree on what we are doing and why then we are ready to fix the problem and get you on the road.

What can we fix?

Our mechanics are qualified and experienced with tackling most any repair job on virtually any make and model of vehicle. We are certified to fix your hybrid. Customers trust us to work on their Porches and Mercedes and Lexus and the occasional Maserati as well as special vehicles like this 1963 MG.

We are able to tackle routine jobs like brakes, exhaust, suspension, alternators as well as complex problems like replacing an engine or transmission. The secret is knowing when you should not attempt a job. As Clint Eastwood’s Dirty Harry noted, “A man’s got to know his limitations.” We will tell you if your work requires more specialized expertise then we have.

If your car is new, we would like to help you keep it that way. If you have an older model, we can keep you on the road. We encourage you to call and ask. We promise you a straight answer.

Here is the list of our full-service auto repair: