Union Square - Somerville Community Blog

Boston Auto Repair: Preventive Maintenance Video

Posted by Mark Pedersen on Tue, Jun, 25, 2013 @ 11:06 AM

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!

Tags: Boston Auto Repair, Vehicle Fleet Maintenance, Car Tips, Video, Preventive Maintenance

Boston Auto Repair Accolades Keep Coming!

Posted by Mark Pedersen on Tue, May, 14, 2013 @ 14:05 PM

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 autoBoston Auto Repair 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!

Tags: Boston Auto Repair, News, Awards

13 Vehicle Fleet Maintenance Tips

Posted by Mark Pedersen on Thu, Mar, 14, 2013 @ 12:03 PM

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.Vehicle Fleet Maintenance Boston
  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!

Vehicle Fleet Maintenance Boston

Tags: Somerville Auto Repair, Boston Auto Repair, Vehicle Fleet Maintenance, Car Tips

Mike's Wins Boston Auto Repair Award Again!

Posted by Mark Pedersen on Fri, Mar, 09, 2012 @ 11:03 AM

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 thoseBoston Auto Repair 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!

Tags: Boston Auto Repair, News, Awards

Boston Auto Repair Rewards Are Here!

Posted by Mark Pedersen on Fri, Nov, 04, 2011 @ 10:11 AM

We're pretty psyched to share our big news with everyone - we've just added a killer rewards program! It's a pretty big deal when it comes to Boston auto repair.

We thought long and hard about how to get the new program going. Not only what to offer,Auto Repair Boston but more importantly, how to structure it so that it actually works. We want to reward our customers for referring us, and we don't want it to be a hassle.

So, what did we come up with? Put it all online. Make it clickable, and they will come! (We hope, anyway.) Now, it couldn't be easier to tell your friends about Mike's and get rewarded for it.

Okay - we'll get to the point. We've setup a new referral site for our current customers to go to when they want to refer a friend to Mike's. At the site you'll get your own personalized link, allowing you to share the Mike's love in a multitude of ways - social media, email - it's up to you.

And, the good stuff? Yeah, we're getting to that.... Refer your friend to Mike's and he or she will receive a FREE oil change! In return, you will receive a $25.00 gift card to Mike's!

Yes, we know - way too easy!

Seriously, we hope everyone will use and enjoy the new rewards program. Besides being nearly effortless to use, the best part is that both you and your friend get rewarded. It just doesn't get better than that!

So, check-out the site, or scan the QR code in the graphic above. Spread the word about Mike's and start piling up your rewards!

Tags: What's Hot, Boston Auto Repair, News

Boston Auto Repair Guys Celebrate Earth Day

Posted by Mark Pedersen on Fri, Apr, 22, 2011 @ 10:04 AM

It's time to celebrate Boston - it's Earth Day! If you're familiar with us then you know it's kind of always Earth Day around here. We believe in Boston sustainable auto repair - and we make it happen.

Besides our in-house sustainability initiatives, we've got the Boston Auto Repair - Green Oil ChangeBoston green oil change. And what better day than today to show that baby off! In honor of Earth Day, we're giving away 20 green oil changes!

What's the catch? None - we're just Boston auto repair guys who like to show the planet a little love too!

We're throwing this green party online - the first 10 people to retweet our Earth Day tweet,and the first 10 people to comment on our Earth Day Facebook status - will all receive FREE green oil changes!

So, what are you waiting for? Check us out on Twtter or Facebook and get your FREE green oil change!

And, oh yeah - Happy Earth Day!

 

Winners will be notified. By appointment only. Not redeemable for cash. Includes oil filter and up to 5 quarts of EcoPower oil.

Tags: Sustainability, Boston Sustainable Auto Repair, Boston Auto Repair, News, Green Oil Change

Boston Auto Repair Award Goes to Mike's Automotive

Posted by Mark Pedersen on Fri, Jan, 28, 2011 @ 11:01 AM

We are so happy to kick-off the new year by sharing some fantastic news. And yes - it's that good! Our shop has been named an Angie's List Super Service award winner for 2010!

We are honored to receive such a prestigous award (picture MikeAuto Repair Boston - Boston Auto Repair dancing - no, wait - don't!). In fact, this marks six years in a row that we've been named a Super Service award winner. We began in 2005 as the only car repair shop in the entire state of Massachusetts to receive the award - and we haven't stopped since!

It feels great to know that providing honest and transparent Boston auto repair continues to pay-off. Althought, we wouldn't have it any other way!

For those of you who aren't familiar with Angie's List, it is a subscripton-based online community, which specializes in providing quality reviews of local service providers.

We place a lot of stock in how we are reviewd on Angie's List. The community is comprised of serious people who provide honest reviews which are relied upon heavily by their fellow members.

At Mike's, we have pretty good reviews on most sites. But other sites can be tricky in that sometimes people who aren't serious reviewers decide to go on a rant for no good reason. With Angie's List, we always know we are getting a fair shake, no matter how the review turns out.

We hope you sign-up for Angie's List. You'll unlock some of the best-kept secrets in Boston - and you can give us a shout-out too!

 

Auto Repair Boston   Find Facebook resized 600 Don't forget to check us out on Facebook!

Tags: Boston Auto Repair, News, Awards