Maintaining customer satisfaction is a crucial aspect of any business, but it’s even more important for auto repair companies that have earned the prestigious Diamond Certified award. For Acurit Auto Repair, achieving and maintaining a high level of customer satisfaction has resulted in an extremely loyal clientele base that’s quick to refer the shop to others–even if they live far away from its Rohnert Park facility. “We had a customer who had a leaky water pump and wanted to tow his car to us from his home in Willits, which is more than 100 miles away,” says owner William Trbovich. “I told him the tow would cost more than the repair, but he didn’t care. That’s a special kind of trust and loyalty. Ultimately, we want our services to instill those feelings in all our customers.”

Acurit Auto Repair has been servicing all types of automobiles, vans and pick-ups (with a special focus on Japanese, domestic and hybrid vehicles) since 1981. The company’s ASE-certified technicians are trained to handle everything from engine overhauls and timing belt replacements to basic services and tune-ups. “We practice preventative maintenance to save our customers money and trouble,” adds Mr. Trbovich. “Our goal is to enhance the value of every vehicle that comes through our doors.”

Unlike auto repair shops that try to offer extra services that aren’t directly related to customers’ primary vehicle problems, Acurit Auto Repair only provides services that are recommended by each car’s manufacturer. “Some shops will try to convince customers they need to flush their cooling, transmission or brake fluids, but the manufacturers only recommend draining and filling those fluids,” says Mr. Trbovich. “We don’t ever try to sell our customers services they don’t need, and they respect us for that.”

To further differentiate itself from its competition, Acurit Auto Repair requires all its technicians to undergo a rigorous training program that keeps them up-to-date on the industry’s latest technological advancements and repair methods. “Our customers rely on our expertise, so staying on top of our training allows us to supply them with confidence,” says Mr. Trbovich. “It’s our goal to give them the highest quality, most honest and reliable auto repair services possible.”

Preventative maintenance will extend the life of your car. Heavy repair work may be inevitable at some point in your vehicle’s life, but taking preventative measures can safeguard against terminal problems and improve its overall performance. To keep your car operating as efficiently as possible, consider the following tips:

Timing belt
Many auto mechanics believe the timing belt is the most neglected part of a car’s internal system. “If the timing belt isn’t replaced at the proper interval, it can break and damage the engine,” explains William Trbovich, owner of Acurit Auto Repair in Rohnert Park. “If you don’t stay on top of this, a routine service that costs about $600 could turn into a $4,000 valve job.”

Fluids and tire pressure
Every three months (more often if specified by your vehicle owner’s manual) and prior to a road trip, check your car’s fluids, including transmission fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid, radiator coolant and windshield washer fluid. Keeping these fluids at their full-level marks helps lubricate your car’s moving parts, which reduces reduce fiction, heat and general wear. Also, make sure to inflate your tires to the proper levels. Underinflated tires wear down more quickly and can also lower your car’s gas mileage.

Maintenance schedule
Each car has a different maintenance schedule, so it’s vital that your mechanic has access to the latest service bulletins and databases from manufacturers. “For instance, if you don’t replace the coolant at the specified interval, it can degrade and become acidic, which will damage the cooling system and engine,” shares Mr. Trbovich.

Anti-freeze
Prior to winter, have an auto shop check your car’s antifreeze with a hydrometer (a device that takes a sample of antifreeze and specifies how cold the temperature can become before it freezes). The antifreeze should be able to withstand temperatures of at least 30 degrees below the coldest winter temperature. To avoid frozen antifreeze, purchase only the type specified in the vehicle owner’s manual—improper antifreeze can crack an engine’s block, which could result in thousands of dollars of repair work.

Q: How much will it cost to repair my car?

A: We can’t provide a written estimate until we inspect your car. We can tell you what a certain service normally costs, but each car is different. For example, a manufacturer might recommend replacing the air filter at 60,000 miles, but if we look at it and see it was replaced about 1,000 miles ago, we’re not going to do it again, which will save you some money.

Q: When will my car be ready?

A: The vast majority of our repairs can be done in one day, with the exception of cars that are brought in late in the day.

Q: Do you provide free estimates?

A: Yes, unless there’s a diagnosis that requires disassembling the car. About 85 percent of our estimates are free.

Q: Do you use original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts?

A: Yes, we use OEM parts on more than 95 percent of our repairs. In some cases, we know certain aftermarket parts are just as good as OEM parts, so we’ll opt for the less expensive choices with the car owner’s permission.

Q: Do you provide discounts?

A: Yes, we provide 10 percent discounts on labor for military personnel, students and senior citizens.

Q: Do you provide loaner cars?

A: Yes, but you have to make an appointment—we have three loaner cars, and they go pretty quickly.