OT: recommendations for oil change service in CHS area?

[bayrooster]

Newsflash... I've just relocated from the SF Bay Area, CA to the Charleston area, SC. I have a Chevy (drove it 2,862 miles to get here). So far my research has ruled out all Rick Hendrick dealerships . Would like to start a customer relationship with a dealership for future service calls, but maybe using local auto repair shops is more the norm here? Thanks in advance.

 

[Uscg1984]

Interesting, tell me more about this "relationship" one can have with a car dealership.

I have always been able to locate an independent shop near wherever I lived that charged reasonable prices and was trustworthy. I can't help you with finding one in Charleston, though. I wouldn't overthink oil-changes - just do them as often as the manufacturer recommends. I usually change my own because I'm cheap and I enjoy a little wrench work now and then, but I realize that's not everyone's cup of tea.

 

[18IsTheMan]

Trying to identify an honest and reliable mechanic is one of the worst things about moving. One dead giveaway is they recommend a transmission flush.

 

[Gamecock Jacque]

New job or just luck out with a transfer? I usually use the 10 minute oil change that comes with a car wash.

 

[USCBatgirl21]

Question - What part of Charleston? What make and year?
That will determine the answer.

 

[Sweetwatergolf]

I trust Gerald's with tires and oil changes and brake change. Haven't needed them for anything else of late. Friendly and trustworthy

 

[bayrooster]

Interesting, tell me more about this "relationship" one can have with a car dealership.

I have always been able to locate an independent shop near wherever I lived that charged reasonable prices and was trustworthy. I can't help you with finding one in Charleston, though. I wouldn't overthink oil-changes - just do them as often as the manufacturer recommends. I usually change my own because I'm cheap and I enjoy a little wrench work now and then, but I realize that's not everyone's cup of tea.

I don't have a garage. Might be hard to believe, but I had a lot of good experiences (luck?) with service from dealerships in my area in CA. A service manager at a dealership in Santa Rosa took great care of my Firebird for years until they changed ownership. The quick lube places were run by idiots. Based on many reviews I've seen there are a lot of snakes running service depts at dealerships in the CHS area, which is why I thought I'd ask. Sounds like you are suggesting looking for a local repair shop.

 

[bayrooster]

Question - What part of Charleston? What make and year?
That will determine the answer.

James Island, 2010 Camaro.

 

[USCBatgirl21]

James Island, 2010 Camaro.

I used Richard's on St. Andrews, when I was West Ashley 10 years ago. I was pleased with them. Bobby Hartin recommended them to me when I moved to WA from MC.
https://www.richardsautomotiveservice.com/

Maybe someone on JI has some recommendations.

 

[bayrooster]

I used Richard's on St. Andrews, when I was West Ashley 10 years ago. I was pleased with them. Bobby Hartin recommended them to me when I moved to WA from MC.
https://www.richardsautomotiveservice.com/

Maybe someone on JI has some recommendations.

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll take a look.

 

[Gamecock Jacque]

Might be hard to believe, but I had a lot of good experiences (luck?) with service from dealerships

I used to be leary of dealerships. My AC started working intermittently like a loose connection. Sometimes I could slam the door and it would start working. A well regarded garage told me I needed a new relay, parts and labor $600. I took it to a Toyota dealership. They found a short in the blower assembly. They replaced the entire blower assembly for $300. I would have been out 600 bucks and my problem would still exist.

 

[will110]

Interesting, tell me more about this "relationship" one can have with a car dealership.

I have always been able to locate an independent shop near wherever I lived that charged reasonable prices and was trustworthy. I can't help you with finding one in Charleston, though. I wouldn't overthink oil-changes - just do them as often as the manufacturer recommends. I usually change my own because I'm cheap and I enjoy a little wrench work now and then, but I realize that's not everyone's cup of tea.

I change my own oil as well. I rotate the tires every oil change too. Price is one consideration, but I also HATE getting told, every single time I take my truck to get the oil changed, that there's something wrong that needs to be fixed. One time I was told that they couldn't rotate the tires because the tires were so bad that if they did, the truck would drive poorly. I went home and rotated the tires myself, and (surprise surprise) no issues. Another time, at a different location, I was told I needed new shocks - this only a few months after having the shocks replaced. I've never found a place to change oil where something like this doesn't happen.

 

[Gamecock Jacque]

I change my own oil as well. I rotate the tires every oil change too. Price is one consideration, but I also HATE getting told, every single time I take my truck to get the oil changed, that there's something wrong that needs to be fixed. One time I was told that they couldn't rotate the tires because the tires were so bad that if they did, the truck would drive poorly. I went home and rotated the tires myself, and (surprise surprise) no issues. Another time, at a different location, I was told I needed new shocks - this only a few months after having the shocks replaced. I've never found a place to change oil where something like this doesn't happen.

I remember when the gas station pumped your gas and checked your oil. I was always a quart low.

 

[Thunderstick]

Trying to identify an honest and reliable mechanic is one of the worst things about moving. One dead giveaway is they recommend a transmission flush.

Two additional re-lo challenges:

1. finding a good barber (not a stylist)
2. finding a good dentist (and, more importantly, oral hygienist)

I always had a car provided by my company so auto maintenance was way down my list of concerns...never kept a car long enough to encounter problems. However, the downside for me was having to drive an American car for twenty years. The upside? Having no automobile related expenses for twenty years!

 

[Tidalcock]

I used to be leary of dealerships. My AC started working intermittently like a loose connection. Sometimes I could slam the door and it would start working. A well regarded garage told me I needed a new relay, parts and labor $600. I took it to a Toyota dealership. They found a short in the blower assembly. They replaced the entire blower assembly for $300. I would have been out 600 bucks and my problem would still exist.

Hard to believe. Sounds like you got lucky. Most stealerships want to charge $200 just for diagnostics!

 

[PrestonyteParrot]

Newsflash... I've just relocated from the SF Bay Area, CA to the Charleston area, SC. I have a Chevy (drove it 2,862 miles to get here). So far my research has ruled out all Rick Hendrick dealerships . Would like to start a customer relationship with a dealership for future service calls, but maybe using local auto repair shops is more the norm here? Thanks in advance.

Glad you made your escape - congratulations on the move.

 

[LazyIslander]

James Island, 2010 Camaro.

Go to Dinkins on Camp Rd.

 

[Gamecock Jacque]

Hard to believe. Sounds like you got lucky. Most stealerships want to charge $200 just for diagnostics!

I think they wanted me to keep buying cars from them. And it wasn't in South Carolina, things might be different here. Seems like everything here is a little different.

 

[Tidalcock]

I remember when the gas station pumped your gas and checked your oil. I was always a quart low.

I've been accused of being a quart low.

 

[Gamecock Jacque]

I've been accused of being a quart low.

I see what you did.