Crestview Auto Service receives a negative customer review on Facebook and Google +

                Crestview Auto Service are your Trusted Saskatoon Auto Service and Repair experts!

Our Trusted Saskatoon auto repair team at Crestview Auto Service pride themselves on providing excellent customer service, however, like any company these days we sometime receive negative online reviews. We value all comments and feedback, whether it is positive or negative, we strive to listen, learn and improve! 

Mostly our reviews are stellar 5 star reviews, but recently we were reviewed on Facebook and our Google+ page by Steven, a recent new customer.  Although we strive for excellence in customer service,  unfortunately there are times when we cannot keep everyone happy.  Steven brought in his vehicle to us for an SGI vehicle safety inspection , that was required as he was bring the vehicle in from out of province. After the inspection he was unhappy with our inspection and quote, and he has accusing us of taking advantage of him and "trying to rip him off".  For a business owner this is the worst kind of accusation,  questioning  our integrity.  So we  wanted to take this time to answer and to explain.  Here is Stevens initial review.  

'Hello Steven,

Thank you Steven for taking the time to leave a review and taking our call this morning to discuss your concerns, it helps us to improve our service. As you know, by law, vehicles entering the province must have the SGI Vehicle Safety Inspection completed and any deficiencies repaired before a licence can be issued. On the day we inspected your car, your frustration from being forced by SGI to have the inspection done was very apparent and understandable.  In response to your comments:

As you were advised, the rear tires are the same size but that is all, one is a winter tire and one is all season; this creates a real safety concern because of the differences in the traction coefficient from left to right and this does not meet the minimum requirements of the inspection, we recommended you only purchase one tire to match the best tire on the rear of the car, not 2 tires.

The price you were quoted for needed repairs to meet the minimum standards, was based on the SGI inspection results after we had inspected the vehicle, this is the only time anyone can give you an accurate price. Our pricing includes allowing for the extremely rusty condition of your vehicle. The exhaust, suspension, steering and rust are the major cost factors on your vehicle. You were also advised that you can have the repairs performed anywhere you choose, they just need to be done in a manor that satisfies the inspection requirements. Your vehicle has substantial rust issues in structural components of the frame and body and has patches on the frame that do not appear to have been performed in a safe, structural manner. We recommended that you have a “body integrity” inspection performed by an SGI licensed auto body technician before any mechanical repairs be completed. These types of safety and structural items are for the occupant’s safety and to ensure the vehicle does not cause an accident with anyone you share the road with.  Kurt Blight'

continues....

Crestview Auto Service We take a lot of pride in the quality of the work we do as well as in our integrity. We performed the inspection on your vehicle and reported the results exactly how we have been trained by the SGI inspectors themselves. We take the Provincial inspection process very seriously and stand by our inspection. We wish you well

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We want to reiterate that Crestview Auto Service is SGI certified and we uphold their standards, we cannot and will not deviate from these standards as they are developed to ensure road safety.

In addition,  we are a TrustedSaskatoon.com partner, nominated by our customers  we then passed a strict process of due diligence and as such, we are also contracted to uphold the 5- Trusted Guarantees of service.

In this case, due to the issue concerning rust/ the structure/ framework of the vehicle, we highly recommended it be checked by an auto body expert before any additional work be performed.  The driver's, its occupants and the public's safety on our streets and our highways will always trump the risk of upsetting a potential customer and any potential business they may bring. 
We take a lot of pride in our work and in our integrity so having an unhappy customer is always upsetting.  However, we stand firm behind the work we performed for the SGI certification,  our analysis, our quote and our recommendation.  In addition, we will not always be the "cheapest", but we so believe that using our certified technicians to service your vehicle WILL lower your overall and long term cost of owning any vehicle.  

5 Trusted Guarantees

1. Provide the service and quality promised.
2. Complete the job on time.
3. Charge the price quoted with NO surprises.
4. Communicate honestly and be responsive to customer needs.
5. Resolve any issues with customer satisfaction in mind.

Crestview Auto Service Saskatoon Car Care Advice: Water Pump

Let's face it, most of us do not think about  our vehicles until we run into a problem....and that problem may be a major inconvenience at best; an accident at worst. Having your vehicle serviced by people that you trust is an absolute must.   Let our team of highly trained technicians at Crestview Auto Service work with you to make sure your vehicle is ready for the road. 

Crestview Auto Service are your Trusted Saskatoon Auto Repair and service Experts!

The cooling system in an engine has five components: the radiator, the radiator cap, the hoses, the thermostat and the water pump. The water is literally the heart of the system. Just as your own heart keeps your blood circulating through your body, the water pump keeps coolant circulating through your engine.

The water pump is driven by a belt, chain or gear and only operates while the engine is running. It has a limited life span and sooner or later will have to be replaced. You can check your owner’s manual to find out how long your water pump should last. Some can fail at only 60,000 kilometers, but almost all of them fail by 160,000 kilometers.

Water pumps don’t gradually wear out; they fail. In other words, they’re either working or they’re not. A failed water pump has to be replaced.

Water pumps can fail in two ways: they can spring a leak or their bearings fail. Leaks can come from a cracked pump, but usually develop at the gasket where the pump attaches to the engine.

If you hear a low-pitched grinding sound coming from the water pump, it’s time for a new one. If you see coolant leaking in the area near the pump, it needs to be replaced. Also, coolant on the driveway could indicate water pump failure. Many water pumps aren’t visible because they’re under a plastic cover, so you may have to take your pickup to your Saskatoon service center or Crestview Auto Service to know if the water pump has failed.

If your water pump is run by the timing belt, then it should be replaced when you replace the belt. Most timing belts need to be replaced at around 100,000 to 150,000 kilometers. The labor for replacing a timing belt is about 90% the same for replacing a water pump, so it’s cost-effective to take care of them both at the same time.

Also, if your water pump develops a leak (if it’s powered by the timing belt), you have to replace the timing belt as well since contamination by coolant fluid damages the belt. It just makes sense for Saskatoon motorists to replace both of these critical parts whenever either one needs it.

Replacing a water pump at Crestview Auto Service is a car care issue that almost all of us Saskatoon car owners face eventually. They don’t last forever. On the other hand, we can extend the life of most of the components of our vehicle through important preventive maintenance. Just as exercise and diet keep our heart healthy, regular check-ups and fluid 

Drop in or give us a call at 24 - 23rd St E
Saskatoon, SK, 306-244-6522

Crestview Auto Service

“We’ll Keep Your Car Young a Long Time”

Springtime Promotion at Crestview

Spring has arrived which means time outdoors, nicer weather, BBQs and spring tune-ups. Bring your vehicle to Crestview for the Spring Maintenance Service and you will be entered to win the "Big Green Egg" mini cooking BBQ. Book your vehicle today as this promo ends on May 31st. 

#spring #vehiclemaintenance #promotion #BBQ #NAPA #TrustedSaskatoon

Meet our newest Journeyperson, Brandon Klassen

Congratulations to Brandon Klassen on completion of his AST apprenticeship and graduation as a Red Seal, Automotive Service Technician. Brandon completed his 4^th and final session of training at Saskatchewan Polytechnic (formerly SIAST) this past February with an overall mark of 97% when combining theory and practical hands-on. No mark was below 93%, Wow!!

Brandon started as a service assistant/technician helper, and has been a valuable member of the Crestview team ever since. During this time, his attention to detail and customer focus has been appreciated by co-workers and our customers alike. He has demonstrated a keen desire for accurate on-time diagnosis and repair. Along with Brandon’s natural ability he has also benefited working with and alongside Dave Wiebe our head technician; one of the most talented technicians in North America and winner of the “Technician of the Millennium” contest, that tested skills and abilities of technicians across North America.

Whether you come to Crestview Auto Service for maintenance services, routine repairs or diagnosing of electrical malfunctions and drivability concerns, you can be sure you are getting the very best. The Crestview team is here to ensure you get the most from the money you spend on your vehicle.

We’ll Keep Your Car Young a Long Time

#apprentice #Journeyperson #technician #bestmechanic #carrepair

Driving Tips: Save Money, Stay Safe

Gas may be cheap now but here are a few more ways to help control your vehicle expenses and keep you safe:

On long drives use the cruise control to save gas. The gradual acceleration and deceleration improves your fuel efficiency. To improve the fuel economy of your vehicle, avoid jack rabbit starts and begin slowing down sooner before you get to that red light. The gradual change in speed has a noticeable effect on fuel economy and your wallet.  

Warming up your car in the morning isn't always necessary. Driving your car under normal conditions will naturally bring the car to optimum operating temperature. Cold winter mornings are another thing to consider; warm up the car so you have enough heat to keep the windows clear for safe driving.

Tires aren't just round black things on your car; the tires are what stops, starts and steers your car to keep you out of trouble. New tires start with at least 10/32 of an inch of tread and any time the tread is worn below 5/32 of an inch or (4MM), traction is compromised, especially on wet or snowy roads. When the tread is at 2/32 of an inch or (1.5MM), the tire is legally worn out and needs to be replaced.

Tires make a big difference with how your vehicle handles and rides. When replacing tires make sure to use tires with the same specifications or better than the originals. This information can be found on the driver’s door pillar.

For extending the life of your tires keep in mind that each tire wears differently because of its position on the car. To ensure even wear you should rotate your tires approximately every 10 thousand kilometers. Improperly inflated tires can have a dramatic effect on fuel economy. Test air pressure once a month before you start driving for the day, which will allow you to get an accurate reading and adjust to the specification on the driver’s door pillar.

Proper vehicle maintenance is defined as servicing fluids or components before they cause irreversible wear. For example, flushing the transmission before the oil and chemicals in it break down will save you a lot of money over the life of the vehicle, by not having the expense of the transmission repair, which can easily be thousands of dollars.

Does it seem as if you’re not getting as much heat or air conditioning in your car as you used to? It could be that your cabin air filter is plugging up causing the poor airflow. Each manufacturer has a maintenance schedule for replacing the cabin air filter. Replacing the filter may be all it takes to keep you cool in summer and warm in winter.

Preventative maintenance: The manufacturer’s maintenance schedule is filled with inspections. It is through these inspections that upcoming maintenance items are identified and corrective action can be taken saving you time and money, instead of not inspecting and hoping your car doesn't break down.

Crestview Auto Service is a proud partner of Trusted Saskatoon.

"We'll Help Keep Your Car Young A Long Time"

Visit us online at www.crestviewautoservice.ca or call at (306) 244-6522. 

#DrivingTips #Tires #Maintenance #Safety

Flush and Fill

Protect your new car warranty and keep your older vehicle young - Flush and fill fluids the right way for long life.

Each car or truck has a service schedule for flushing and replacing the fluids that lubricate, cool, protect and control the operation of different components in your vehicle. These service intervals are based on distance traveled or time between the services. How these services are performed will have a direct impact on the reliability of your vehicle.

When flushing the transmission and cooling system, appropriate chemicals before and after should be used to first dissolve sludge and varnish buildup inside the components that are being serviced. Following the flushing procedure, which replaces the contaminated fluid, the appropriate chemicals should be added to enhance the operation of that component. Typically a cooling system or transmission flush service will take around an hour to do this way.  This compares to a fluid exchange that can be done in 10 to 20 minutes.

A simple drain and fill without using proper chemicals to remove the sludge and varnish is like washing dishes by rinsing alone; no soap or dishcloth to clean off the stuck food and stains. Not much chance you would want to have guests over and serve a meal using those dishes, they wouldn't be clean. Your transmission and cooling system life will depend on the quality of the fluid flush procedure.

The vehicles we drive now have different types of fuel injection requiring specific procedures to service the various systems. Although all injection systems require service, the newer direct injection vehicles need special attention and training to service properly or damage can occur.

Engine and driveline oils have changed dramatically over the last number of years. With the extended drain intervals we are seeing, making sure to use the proper grade and type of oil is very important. If your vehicle specifications call for 5w20 oil and you use 5w30 instead, you can damage a new engine because the oil is too thick to flow through the engine properly. Likewise synthetic oil or non-synthetic oil usage is just as important; synthetic oils are usually more uniform and flow quicker to protect better when the engine is cold. Using a non-synthetic when a synthetic should be used has the same affect as using the wrong grade of oil and can cause engine damage because it can’t lubricate properly. The oil filter is just as important, the use of a “cheaper” filter and a long drain interval has caused problems, as these cheaper filters do not have the internal filtering capacity to last and will bypass oil without filtering it.

This is why Crestview Auto Service only installs the highest-grade oil filter along with the proper grade and type of oil on your vehicle. Our Licensed Technicians are qualified to service all systems in your vehicle with the recommended chemicals, fluids and processes. With your approval we will inspect the condition of your vehicle and our technicians will make recommendations based on the inspection. Give us a call or visit us online at crestviewautoservice.ca. We look forward to helping you keep your car young a long time. 

#fluids #processes #ServiceSchedule #LicensedTechnicians

Summer And Vacations Go Hand In Hand

Start your summer vacation off on the right foot; have your vehicle properly serviced and ready for the trip ahead. Hot weather and cold weather have one thing in common, your vehicle doesn't like either one. Ever notice the vehicles sitting on the side of the highway are usually a long way from home? That’s because the shorter trips we normally take don’t get all the moving components up to temperature like a longer trip does. Even a 1 or 2 hour trip to the lake can be enough for some vehicles to succumb to the heat and pressure created from an extended drive. Belts, hoses and cooling systems take a real beating with the added heat generated which can leave you stranded for a few hours or days if you haven’t been fortunate to stop in time, ending up with a serious mechanical failure and your car undriveable. Cooling system failure can happen very fast with devastating results, this is also a major cause of engine damage; and that’s never cheap to repair. While you are driving be sure to keep an eye on the temperature gauge, if you see it rising beyond its normal position to the “hot” zone you can try turning off the air conditioning. If that doesn't help and the gauge is at or in the hot zone, pull over as soon as possible to avoid creating any additional problems from the heat.

Start your trip out the safe reliable way; have a comprehensive inspection performed to make sure you don’t have any surprises when you least expect them. Routine service inspections are intended to identify potential trouble areas that should be addressed before they become problems. This helps have a stress free holiday or even a weekend away.  

Let the Crestview team get your vehicle ready for travel. To book an appointment and read more about us visit us on line at crestviewautoservice.ca 

Month of Myths - #2

Myth 2: Paint chips and nicks don't affect my warranty. 

To keep your new vehicle paint and corrosion warranty valid, have dents, scratches and collision damaged panels inspected and repaired. New cars have a minimum five-year rust perforation warranty. Unprotected panels that cause rust will not be covered by the manufacturer's warranty.

Crestview Auto Service is a quality service facility and a proud partner of Trusted Saskatoon. Visit us at www.crestviewautoservice.ca for more information or to book online.  

Month of Myths - #1

Myth 1: To maintain my warranty I can only have my car serviced at a dealership.

Service at a dealer is not mandatory to keep your warranties in effect. Maintenance may be done by any qualified service facility or by a person who is skilled in automotive service. Keep all receipts as proof of completion, and have the service provider fill out the Maintenance Record.

Crestview Auto Service is a quality service facility and can assist in all of your maintenance needs. Visit us at www.crestviewautoservice.ca for more information or to book online.

Certified Technicians

Did you know?

Crestview Auto Service has quality certified technicians waiting to look after you and your vehicle, whether for general maintenance, specialized service, larger vehicles (including motorhomes), and/or SGI inspections. Crestview is also a proud partner of Trusted Saskatoon and the only NAPA AutoPro in Saskatoon. Easy and convenient to book online or by phone. We look after cars, trucks, motorhomes and fleet vehicles. Visit our website, Google Plus page or Blogger for more information about us.

www.crestviewautoservice.ca