Gig Harbor Auto Repair

GIG HARBOR drivers may feel intimidated when they take their vehicles to a service center. They have questions but aren't sure how to ask. They don't want to feel embarrassed about their lack of knowledge. They don't want to make the service technician feel that they don't trust him.If your service advisor at Mackert Automotive LLC uses a term you don't understand, just ask him to explain. Remember, they are the auto service experts. If they came to your place of work, they probably wouldn't understand the jargon, either. When you take your vehicle in to be serviced, make sure you understand the financial issues up front. Ask about payment policies, warranties and, of course, the cost of the work being done.It helps to understand basic services your vehicle needs. Know the difference between a quick check-up and a thorough inspection, which you are getting and which you are asking for. Understand that diagnosing a problem takes time, and time isn't free. If you have concerns abou ... read more

At Mackert Automotive LLC we hear from a lot of people who are excited about the new diesel engines that will soon be available in passenger cars and SUV's. But our WA friends are often curious about the preventive maintenance requirements. People may not know that diesel engines have long been used extensively in Europe and Asia. In fact, in some markets, there're nearly as many diesel powered passenger cars as there are gasoline.Here's who's announced or is expected to announce new diesels for North America: BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Volkswagen, Nissan, Honda, Toyota, Hyundai and Subaru. Of course, the US auto makers will be expanding their diesel offerings as well. Diesels will become a very big deal here in WA.You may ask, why has it taken so long getting to WA and North America? There are a bunch of reasons like fuel tax policies and such, but the biggest hurtle was that WA diesel fuel had a high sulfur content – too high for the latest generation of highly refined diesel engine ... read more

Higher GIG HARBOR fuel prices aren't going away any time soon. That's not good news for our wallets. A lot of GIG HARBOR drivers are trying to find ways to cut down on fuel consumption and hang on to some of their hard-earned money.North Americans drive billions of miles less during months of high fuel prices. That's right, billions. Of course WA vehicle owners can't stop driving altogether, so we still need to find other ways to cut fuel bills.Preventive maintenance at Mackert Automotive LLC in GIG HARBOR and good vehicle care can actually pay for themselves by lowering our fuel consumption. Here's a real-life example of how that can work.A family planned a four-day camping trip. Before leaving, they took their SUV into Mackert Automotive LLC for an oil change. They flushed the cooling system, serviced all three differentials and cleaned the fuel system. They replaced the PCV valve and breather element. Then they checked the tires to ensure they ... read more

  Most GIG HARBOR drivers don't even think about their air conditioner. Now here's a tip for GIG HARBOR vehicle owners: Run your air conditioner every so often during WA winters. This circulates the lubricant to help keep the seals from drying out. The air conditioner actually removes some of the moisture in the air. So if you have trouble with fogging on your vehicle windshield during WA winters or during a rain storm, running the A/C on the defrost setting should help. Now on some GIG HARBOR cars you can't run the A/C at the same time as the defroster. Don't ask me why, but I suspect lawyers were involved.Also, air and water can get into the A/C system. That can reduce the efficiency of the system and also lead to corrosion that causes damage. GIG HARBOR drivers should periodically purge the system and replace the refrigerant to remove the air and water.WA drivers would be wise ... read more

There are some things drivers should know about GIG HARBOR car service and repair. First and foremost, Mackert Automotive LLC cares about you and your family's safety. And we really appreciate your business. Mackert Automotive LLC in GIG HARBOR wants to build a trusting relationship that becomes the foundation for a mutually beneficial experience for years to come.Building on that foundation, there are some things that would help you understand the auto service and repair business better. First, it can be really hard to fix vehicles. The days of shade tree mechanics are long gone. The majority of automotive systems are computerized. It takes a lot of training and very expensive equipment to diagnose and repair modern vehicles. The pros who work for Mackert Automotive LLC need extensive computer training – not just how to run the diagnostic systems, but also searching for the right parts, networking with other technicians to help them with a diffic ... read more