Driveline inspections and maintenance is an essential part of keeping your mountain car, truck, SUV or van running strong and keeping your lifestyle moving forward.  When driveline maintenance is overlooked, not only is it costly to repair but it will dangerous if you lose control of the vehicle. Simply put, the driveline transfers the power of the transmission to rotate the wheels. If any component is not lubricated with fresh fluids, vital components become worn, damaged or broken and you’ve got some serious troubles taking place. When should I do this maintenance? Mountain vehicles drive in 4WD, negotiate steep mountain roads and often carry more weight – work equipment, passengers or towing trailers. A mountain vehicle is taxed more than vehicles driven off the mountain. To avoid expensive damage don’t ignore the importance of driveline service.  At Quality Automotive Servicing we follow the “severe driving&rdqu ... read more

At German Import Garage and Quality Automotive Servicing in Truckee, CA, we often field inquiries about our diagnostic testing fee. Our rationale is simple: Diagnostic testing and service is about giving our customers accurate information and answers to their vehicle questions so their vehicle is fixed right the first time.      Why can’t QAS or GIG take a diagnosis from another shop? To provide a comprehensive warranty on work performed, we need to be assured the right work is being done. Accepting another shop's diagnosis risks an incomplete or inaccurate assessment resulting in an incomplete or inaccurate repair. I have the trouble code, can you just do the repair it indicates? A trouble code is just a starting point that directs a technician. A qualified technician needs to delve deeper and discover the intricacies of the trouble. With expertise, online technical resources, a ... read more

Ensure Safe Travels: The Importance of a Digital Vehicle Inspection (DVI) with Every Service As the harsh driving conditions of Truckee's winter give way to the promise of summer adventures, it's crucial that your vehicle is ready to hit the road. One often overlooked but essential aspect of car maintenance is the Digital Vehicle Inspection (DVI) conducted alongside routine services like oil changes or smog checks. A DVI offers invaluable insights into your vehicle's condition, providing you with peace of mind and potentially saving you from unexpected breakdowns or repair bills. For customers of Quality Automotive Servicing, it's an opportunity to have experts scrutinize your vehicle while it's on the rack, offering a comprehensive evaluation of its various systems. As summer travel season approaches, a DVI becomes even more critical. Discovering a repair issue before embarking on a long journey can prevent an inconvenient roadside breakdown and ensure a smooth ... read more

Thinking about whether to invest in that pre-purchase maintenance plan when you buy a new car from the dealership? Before you sign on the dotted line, let's delve into what you might not see at first glance. Hidden Costs: While the dealership may promise a comprehensive maintenance plan, it's essential to know the quality of what you’re getting. Some dealerships might skimp by using lower-quality parts or opting for cheaper fluid alternatives to maximize profits. Additionally, inexperienced technicians used for these services could lead to catastrophic mistakes, like a recent situation that a  friend experienced when her oil drain plug was mis-threaded  resulting in a blown engine in the middle of Nevada. Inconsistent Service: Despite assurances, dealerships might not always follow through on the promised services. Instances of dealerships skipping recommended maintenance items, which you've paid for, have ... read more

  March 2024 Consumer Reports released satisfaction ratings with dealership service departments and it didn't bode so well for the dealerships. What they found is that customers prefer independent shops like Truckee's Quality Automotive Servicing and rate them higher for trust, reasonable prices, reputation and knowledgeable mechanics. There are many reasons that customers prefer independent shops over dealership service departments and it mostly comes down to Price of service A higher level of customer service and interaction with advisors Wait times Good Advice From Consumer Reports - Be Consistent With Maintenance & Who Is Doing It In the same article John Ibbotson, chief mechanic at the Consumer Reports CR’s Auto Test Center had some pertinent advice for car owners about finding and sticking with an independent shop that you like and trust. “Get routine maintenance done at the same place consistently,” he s ... read more