
Steve Gehrlein, Car
Counselor
Saturdays KTSA Radio, AM 550,
11:00 am – 1:00
pm and Sundays KTSA
Radio, AM 550, 1:00
pm – 400
pm
Owner of very successful
Cambridge Auto Center in San Antonio, TX and graduate of St. Mary’s
University, Steve is already a familiar voice to tens of thousands of Texans,
currently hosting an extremely popular radio program called The Automotive Show
in San Antonio
and all of south
Texas. He is also the author of Save $$$ on
Car Repairs which offers valuable tips to the consumer on how to avoid getting
ripped off by unscrupulous mechanics. He’s been declared an expert
witness by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals and the 150th
District Court and has testified in over 250 court cases involving automobile
claims. And don’t get him started on politics! There’s no question
that Steve’s tremendous rapport with his audience, built on a framework
of extensive knowledge, integrity and the ability to share that knowledge in an
understandable and believable manner, makes him a listener’s
“friend”. Steve’s passion, whether for the quality of a
product or service, integrity of a supplier, or the issues he feels strongly
about, like clean air, has kept people tuned in for almost 18
years.
Cambridge Auto
Center, Inc. has been in business since 1984.
4 Common Misconceptions about Vehicle
Repair
Misconception
#1: Your vehicle manufacturer specifies regular maintenance schedules just to
get you back into their shop to make more money off of you.
No. Although
manufacturers are making vehicles that last longer and require less overall
maintenance, they do require some preventive maintenance. If maintained
properly, you can expect your vehicle to go over 100,000 miles without major
service. For example, most engines have timing belts that must be replaced
before they wear out and break and cause even more expensive damage. A quality
shop will alert you to maintenance items that will need attention.
Misconception
#2: A shop can give you an accurate price quote over the phone without seeing
your vehicle.
NO. You can
waste your time calling 20 different shops and get 20 different price quotes
and chances are every one of them will be wrong. Unless the shop has had a
chance to examine or test drive the vehicle in person, there is no way to
accurately diagnose your problem and give you an accurate price
quote.
Beware of any
shop that is willing to give you a quote over the phone without seeing the
vehicle. Most likely they’ll tell you a real low price just to get you to
come in and then hit you with a much higher price once you get
there.
Misconception
#3: Most repair shops will recommend extra work just to get you to spend more
money.
The fact is,
any repair shop that doesn’t look for potential problems is actually
doing you a great disservice. Quality shops will inspect the overall condition
of every vehicle that comes into their shop to uncover those inexpensive
repairs that may be needed now, before they turn into major expenses later.
Something as simple as discovering and then changing a worn belt may save you
the danger and embarrassment of breaking down on a busy highway and an
expensive tow charge.
Misconception
#4: All repair shops are the same.
No, new
vehicle technology requires constant training to keep up with all the changes.
It also requires the shop to have the latest diagnostic equipment available.
Ask around; has anyone you know had a good or bad experience with a particular
repair shop? Try to find a shop that has a lot of repeat customers. Customers
are more likely to stay with a repair shop they trust. Finally make sure they
guarantee all their work with a 24-month, 24,000-mile warranty.
Here are six
questions you should ask any auto repair shop before you use them:
-
Do they have
the most up-to-date training and diagnostic equipment for your make of
vehicle?
-
If they give
you an estimate over the phone, will they guarantee the price?
-
Do they
perform regular inspections to ensure the reliability of your
vehicle?
-
Do they
employ competent ASE Certified Master Technicians?
-
Will they
offer you a ride to and from work on the day your vehicle is being serviced?
(In a close proximity to shop)
-
Do they
guarantee all their work with a 24
month / 24,000 mile warranty?
Cambridge Auto Center can answer “yes” to all the
above questions. Call today, 210-697-9600.
Our
Philosophy
- At Cambridge Auto we know
that auto repair is usually unexpected and unplanned. Our focus is to get your
vehicle back to you in top condition in as little time as possible.
- We employ only ASE
Certified Master technicians to work on your vehicle. The “Master
Technician” designation applies to only the top 3% of ALL auto
mechanics
- We insist that only the
highest quality auto parts be used on your vehicle. In fact we’re so
confident in our parts and service that we offer a full 24 month, 24,000 mile
warranty on all repair work unless otherwise specified.
Our warranty is simple: If
you’re not satisfied, we’ll make it right. We never lose sight of
the fact that a satisfied customer is our best advertisement. Further we
sincerely feel that it is an honor to provide you with the finest quality
workmanship and parts available. Your satisfaction with our service is a matter
of personal and professional pride.
If you
have a problem:
Call and
let us know the symptoms your vehicle is experiencing.
If
possible, bring your vehicle by while the problem is occurring.
You
don’t need to bring your repair order with you, we have it on
file.
We
will:
Inspect
your vehicle and road test it with you, if needed.
Deliver
you back to work or home.
Analyze
the cause of the problem.
Call you
to keep you informed.
Repair the
problem and get you back on the road again.
Terms:
Unless
otherwise specified, Cambridge Auto Center, Inc. warrantees all repairs for 24
months or 24,000 miles on parts and labor, (commencing on the date of the
customer’s invoice) against defective parts and workmanship, providing
the vehicle has been properly driven and maintained according to the
manufacturer’s recommended schedule, when the vehicle is returned to us
for warranty work. This warranty excludes used parts, or parts not purchased by
Cambridge Auto Center, Inc. Cambridge Auto Center, Inc. will warranty only the
defective parts or labor and is not liable for incidental damages beyond the
defective parts or labor.
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