FAQ

FAQ for Car Repairs

Questions to ask your Thoroughbred Service Adviser, Jon
A lot of our new and regular clients who come to our Laurel, MD location 20723, also known as Scaggsville Maryland are a little tentative when they come in, as they begin to discuss their automotive needs. They want to ask questions but don’t want to be embarrassed or to seem pushy. Vehicles are very complicated and there’s more to them than most drivers have time to learn.

FAQ Car Repair Communication

Here at Thoroughbred we think our clients have a right to ask any questions they need to understand what is wrong, or what maintenance will give them the best, longest service life for their vehicle. And they certainly have a right to understand the financial end of the transaction. It’s all about communication. What are some of the barriers to good communication? Time yours and ours, we are all busy, we will stop and give as much time as needed to understand your needs and when it has been determined what is needed to correct/address those items & we reach back by phone, text, or in person. We will give all the time you need to offer the best solutions.

Car Repair Financial FAQs

Financial related issues seem to be the most frustrating for our clients. If you’re not sure ask what repair payment policies are. We have some new plans available now thru our NAPA Partner. Diagnostician work is very confusing to many, especially the first time it comes up. What does it mean? Well simply it is a big term for testing systems to determine a problem. Sometimes it is simple, fast and low cost. Other times it can involve many tests, and long hours to determine and correct. This is one area we will ask you many questions to help narrow down the problem.

Lets talk about Warranties. Car Repair Warranties separates us from almost all other shops & especially car Dealerships

Our basic work is Warrantied 3 years, or 36,000 miles NATIONWIDE at over 17,500 locations thru the NAPA Autocare program. Many parts have lifetime warranty. Our tires have various warranties that we explain depending on the brand chosen. Jasper Transmissions & Engines have 3 year /100,000 mile warranty Nationwide. Here is a big difference in warranties with car dealers. They are not Nationwide except on NEW Vehicles. When repairs are done at a dealership on an older vehicle (out of warranty) they are just a repair shop, no promise that a dealership in Florida would cover the work.

So call Jon, or our owner Stephen with questions and to set up an appointment or just come by 11011 Scaggsville Road, 20723. We are minutes away from Downtown Laurel, Fulton 20759, Burtonsville 20866, Maple Lawn Farms 20759, Highland, APL Car Repair Mechanic, Columbia. And we have a Shuttle waiting to take you home.

Oil & Filter Change

Oil Changes have a lot of frequently asked questions.  We’ll take a look at just two of the many advantages of an oil change. The first is reduced friction which means reduced wear. Moving metal parts will damage each other if friction is not reduced. However, well lubricated parts will last longer without need for repair or replacement. The other advantage of oil and filter changes is reduced damage from heat. When oil and filter changes are not completed the heat can build up and cause extreme damage in a short amount of time. Engine replacement may be the only option when an overheated engine “cracks” and fails.

Car A/C Recharge and Repair

Car Air Conditioning can fatigue over time and need repair or a recharge. We have cars and trucks come in from our local towns needing Car Air Conditioning repair or recharging. With the changes in technology we have invested to stay ahead of the automotive technology curve with the latest requirements for A/C refrigerant. Whether your car requires R-134a and R-1234yf we can solve the issues with the latest technology and materials. When your car’s A/C is not cool enough we can help to solve the issue with the values and trust that comes from a locally owned and operated car repair shop. Come in and get to know us personally, check our 5/5 star reviews and how we have built an impressive reputation for trusted auto repairs in Fulton, Maple Lawn, Scaggsville and employees of APL the Applied Physics Lab in the 20759 zip code.

Check Engine Dashboard Lights

Your Check Engine Light is an opportunity to save a lot of money. When we first started in the automotive world back in the 1970s the only real dashboard warnings were gauges. Often they were difficult to read or even notice when there was a problem. Now dashboard warning and emergency lights are much more informative, detailed and preventative. Like every innovation in the car repair realm, some are more accurate than others. You will still require an experienced, trusted mechanic to properly diagnose the issue and find the root cause. We stay ahead of the automotive technology curve with consistent training. We are proud of our many ASE Master Technician plaques that hang on the wall. Give us a call or browse our site to learn more about your check engine light and other dashboard warning and emergency lights in Fulton, Maple Lawn, Scaggsville and surrounding areas.

Transmission Repair

Decades of experience with transmission repair, replacement and fluid flushes for transmissions have made us the local expert. Starting with passenger cars and trucks, then adding racing transmissions and starting our own repair shop in Scaggsville. Only a couple miles away are the areas of Maple Lawn, Fulton 20759 and APL (Applied Physics Lab), all of which bring in cars and trucks for transmission services. We have worked with Jasper to bring many replacements which adds years and years of service to used vehicles. Previously when transmission replacements were recommended people considered selling a vehicle. However, with the latest technology and our ASE certified Master Technicians a replacement or simple repair keeps many people from having to make the major cost of buying a new car. Many transmission issues can be avoided with simple maintenance. Fluid flushes and having small services done when the first sign of shifting issues are found can save money. Being a local car repair shop with family ties and “life long” customers we look to bring the highest value to car repairs in Scaggsville and surrounding areas.

Car Wipers

This time of year there are many cars which are sitting idle. When spring seeds, pollen and other debris from trees fall and land on windshields they can get hooked on wipers. Then you go to start the car and use the wipers only to find out that they won’t work well because of the seeds and stems. Smearing a windshield when you need it can be dangerous. Heavy spring thunderstorms can drop a lot of rain in a short amount of time. Our ASE certified Master Techs (aka Mechanics in Fulton 20759 and Scaggsville) can offer this piece of advice. As soon as possible wipe off your windshield and wipers from all the “things that fall in the Spring.” So that when you are in a hurry to get into the car and get driving that you can see a little better. If your car wipers need replacing we can help with award winning service. Perhaps it’s a good time to bring the car in for an oil change service or brakes check. We can check the wipers as we do a courtesy inspection so you can be informed. Give us a call and spend a little time on other pages of this site to learn more about car repairs in Scaggsville and surrounding areas.