Concept site Gearwell Auto is a fictional auto repair shop, designed and built by Patrick Bushe to show what I make for auto repair shops. Fictional, by Patrick Bushe

A red car on a two-post lift with its hood off and the engine bay open

Know what that light means.

Tap the light on your dash to see what it means and whether to keep driving. When you bring it in, you approve a written estimate, line by line, before we start.

Decode a warning light See a sample estimate

Van Nuys auto repair. Written estimate first.

  • Mon to Fri 7:30 to 6Saturdays 8 to 3.
  • Every makeFrom a first car to the work truck.
  • Key drop after hoursLeave it in the box by the office door.

Which light is on?

Tap it to see what it means, how soon to deal with it, and whether it’s safe to drive in.

What most visits are.

Every make, from a first car to the work truck. Prices are where a typical job lands; your written estimate has the real number for your car. Sample

  1. 01 Oil and filter, full synthetic 45 min $89
  2. 02 Check engine diagnosis 1 hr $149
  3. 03 Front brake pads and rotors 2 hr $389
  4. 04 A/C check and recharge 1.5 hr $189
  5. 05 Four-wheel alignment 1 hr $129
  6. 06 Battery test and replacement 30 min $219

Prices and times are examples.

A service writer in a white shirt shows a customer something on a tablet beside a car on a lift A mechanic leans over an open engine bay to check a part A workbench under a wall of hanging tools lit by shop lights

The estimate comes first.

Try a sample estimate

  1. 01

    Written estimate

    Before we touch a wrench you get every line in writing: parts, labor hours and the total.

  2. 02

    You approve each line

    Do the brakes now and the filter later. Nothing is done that you didn’t OK.

  3. 03

    We ask before going over

    If we find more once it’s apart, we stop and ask. No surprise totals.

  4. 04

    Your old parts, if you want them

    Say so when you sign and we’ll bag the parts we replace.

Off Sepulveda, two bays from the corner.

Park in any open bay and leave the key at the counter, or in the drop box after hours with your name and number on the envelope.

Hours
Mon to Fri 7:30 to 6
Sat 8 to 3
Phone
(818) 555-0164
Where
Van Nuys, CA
Street address on a live site
After hours
Key drop box by the office door
A bright, open repair shop with cars on lifts and a red hatchback by the door