Union Square - Somerville Community Blog

Like most Boston auto repair shops, when you come to Mike's, you can expect to pay for diagnostics. Our friends at the Car Care Council put together a quick video explaining why paying for diagnostics is normal and essential.

At Mike's, we always answer any questions you have in regard to diagnostic services. And we always obtain customer approval before any work is performed on a vehicle - including diagnostics. That's just one more way we're different here at Mike's!

At Mike's, we get a lot of questions about why specific services need to be performed on a vehicle at certain mileage intervals. This video clip from the Car Care Council does a great job of explaining preventive maintenance:

So, if you're in ned of Boston auto repair, or have any questions regarding preventive maintenance, come into Mike's! We'll make sure you understand everything!

It's been a busy spring here at Mike's, so we haven't had a chance to share some great news with you. We're honored to have received the 2012 Angie's List Super Service Award!

This marks the eight year in a row that Mike's has received the award. We were the first auto shop in the entire state to win it back in 2005 - and we've won it every single year since! The Angie's List Super Service Award is the most coveted of all the Boston auto repair awards. It is truly an award that must be earned, one satisfied customer at a time.

Everyone in the business community places a lot of stock in Angie's List because the site has real reviews from real customers. And the users of Angie's List pay a subscription fee in order to participate - so the people writing the reviews aren't out to promote or slander anyone - they're as honest as can be!

We're honored and humbled to win the Super Service award and couldn't wait to share the news with everyone.

So, please spread the word. We love it when someone tells us they heard about our accolades. Tell your friends and family to give Mike's a try. And if they're reluctant, tell them they don't have to take your word for it - they can take Angie's!

What are your thoughts on Angie's List? Do you subscribe? Drop us a comment - we would love to know!

It seems to happen after the start of every new year: People come into Mike's and ask about preventative maintenance. They want to know what to do on a regular basis, in or to protect their cars.

Although each vehicle has its own manufacturer maintenance schedule, there are certain things for you to do in order keep your car in running smoothly. Our friends at the Car Care Council have put together a handy tip list of 13 actions for you to take:

1. Get regular oil changes since they are your best investment toward the longevity of the engine.
2. Get regular brake inspections which are the best way to ensure safe and reliable breaking and minimize the cost of repairs when break service is needed.
3. Make sure your gas cap is secure and tight. A loose gas cap can trigger the “Check Engine” or “service Engine Soon” light.
4. Ensure your tires are properly inflated. Proper tire inflation can improve gas mileage by more than 3 percent when maintained regularly.
5. Get regular alignment checks — they are your best way to maximize tire life and ensure that your car performs on the road as originally designed.
6. Get routine tune-ups and engine performance checks — they can be your best assurance of good performance and fuel economy. A healthy running engine maximizes the life of expensive emission system components.
7. Frequent washing and polishing is the best way to protect your car’s finish from the damaging effects of acid rain.
8. You should check the condition of the coolant each spring and fall to make sure the additives that protect against corrosion still function.
9. Have any suspicions of a leak checked out at once. Carbon monoxide from your car’s exhaust is odorless, colorless-and lethal.
10. Try to replace your car’s fuel filter every two years or 24,000 miles for best results.
11. During normal driving, you may not notice a light that isn’t working; inspect your car’s lights at every oil change.
12. You should test your battery every fall. If your car’s battery is three years old or more, consider replacing it since the chances of failure increase.
13. Improper ride height of your car can impact alignment angles and cause premature wear of some steering and suspension parts.

These tips make great sense. And of course, when you bring your car to Mike's, we'll have all of this taken care of for you! We continuously inspect and advise you on all of these items. 

So, whether you're a local person looking to keep your car in tip-top shape, or a company looking for vehicle fleet maintenance services - Mike's has got you covered!

Want to know more about what we can offer your fleet? Click the button below to get started!

Here at Mike's, we had a fantastic MLK Day (of course, we were open as usual). But while in the midst of providing the finest Somerville auto service, we made our way by the annual Maple Syrup Brunch - to benefit our friends at Groundwork Somerville.

The brunch is held every year right here in Union Square, across the street at the Independent, which graciously donates the proceeds of the event to help fund Groundwork Somerville's Maple Syrup Boil Down Project.

This year's event came with a twist - for the first time it was held on MLK Day, rather than a Saturday. And what a great idea that was! The Indo was slammed! With so many people having the day off, the event was a major draw. Who wouldn't want brunch on a day off from work?

A special menu was created for the Maple Syrup Brunch. From traditional items, to vegan options, to specialty cocktails like the Jack Rabbit - there was something for everyone.

It was great to see the event be a major success - knowing that Groundwork Somerville would benefit. The Maple Syrup Boil Down has become vital to the children of our city and is now qutie a tradition.

So next year, don't forget that you've got something planned on MLK Day - brunch! We'll see you there!

But you don't have to wait until next year to help - donate to Groundwork Somerville Now!

Here at Mike's, we wanted to do something special for the Holidays. We wanted to give away something not just good, but great! And then it hit us - a new TV! Not just a new TV. A new Toshiba 40" LED TV!

During the month of December, anyone that came in for service was entered into a drawing to win the TV. And on December 22nd we congratulated Linda Thorsen for winning the TV. Check out this great pic of Mike presenting the TV to Linda:

It felt great to give such a special gift to someone in our community. And it's something that we Somerville auto repair guys will definitely do again! Happy New Year! 

Can you believe it? This week Mike's Automotive turned 32! Yes, I said 32! It feels like yesterday I was writing our 30th anniversary post. Time flies when your...okay, I'm not going to say having fun. It's not always fun when you have to tell people how much it is going to cost them to repair their vehicles. But I've got to say, we still love what we do!

Granted, we love cars. And we love fixing them. Getting to work with the latest technology in a cutting-edge industry is truly amazing!

Even though we enjoy fixing cars, that's really not the best part of what we do. The best part is that we help people. Technology is great - but helping people is what keeps us going every day. When we wake-up each morning, we know that our day's work is going to get someone out of a jam. Now, that's more motivating than any cup of Joe!

What makes it even better is that we've been helping people in the same community all these years - so this means a little more to us than just Somerville auto repair - it's about taking care of our neighbors. Whether it be by repairing cars or partnering with our friends at Groundwork Somerville, community has always been a priority here at Mike's. I like to think that's why we're still here, while so many others have come and gone.

So, the next time you're in for service, or just grabbing a bite in Union Square, stop by and see Mike and wish him a happy birthday!

Here's to many more years! And community!

We've got some good news that we can't wait to share. Mike's has been awarded the 2011 Angie's List Super Service award! That's right, we did it again!

The Angie's List Super Service award is the holy grail of Boston auto repair awards. For those of you who don't know, Angie's List is a subscription-based online community. Basically, serious reviews by real people who hold businesses to the highest standards.

We were the first automotive repair facility in Massachusetts to win the award back in 2005. And we have continued to win it every year ever since! That's seven years straight! Now that's something to be proud of. (Think Mike singing -  no wait, don't!)

Honestly, we are both proud and humbled. But it is truly great to be recognized for providing such great service to our customers. That's no easy feat in the new world of online review demagoguery.

To us, the award recognizes that Mike's mission hasn't changed from day one: provide honest, transparent auto repair to everyone. And always protect people from the big pricey dealerships.

We would like to thank everyone for their kind words on Angie's List. We'll keep doing what we do. And you can bet we're shooting for number eight. Bring on 2012!

While perusing the Wicked Local news site - the Somerville version, of course - I came across an interesting video clip about celebrity endorsements. I just got back from Savannah, GA, so the mention of Paula Deen gave me a chuckle, seeing that I ate at her (fried-filled) restaurant. The clip highlights how we Americans are being herded like sheep!

We're just Somerville auto repair guys - and that's how we like it! You won't see any celebrity endorsements here. We've got better than that - a great crew of locals spreading the word about Mike's!

What do you think about these endorsements? Are these people sleazy, or just smart enough to take the money and run?

It's almost New Year's! The start of a new year means something different to everyone. Often it invokes feelings of joy and optimism. Here in Somerville, New Year's Day carries a special meaning. For on that day we celebrate one our local treasures: the Grand Union flag.

Many of you may know that our beloved Grand Union flag - our nations's first flag - was raised by George Washington on Prospect Hill, on January 1, 1776. But did you know that it is still celebrated by those who love our city most?

In fact, since she took helm at the Historical Preservation Commission, Brandon Wilson has worked to return the "grandness" of celebrating the Grand Union flag. A major celebration is prepared for New Year's Day, with a procession starting at City Hall, and finishing at Prospect Hill.

What a great opportunity to experience a profound piece of history, right here in Somerville! We often forget what we have right here, in our own backyard. The first shot fired during the American Revolution may have occurred in Lexington, but the battle lines were drawn here in Somerville, with the raising of the Grand Union flag.

At our Somerville auto repair shop, we look up and see the Grand Union flag every day, waving proudly, as if it's wathcing over us.

What are you doing New Year's Day? Why not get out and see the procession? Stop by Prospect Hill, and think about what the new year means to you. And how if it wasn't for George Washington and the Grand Union flag, it might mean something entirely different.