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 Future Auto Care, the key to keeping customers happy is simple: take a detail-oriented approach to every job, regardless of its size. “We have the experience to handle of all types of problems and get our customers back on the road as quickly as possible,” affirms owner Sean Lin. “Regardless of what type of work they need, we make sure they’re 100 percent satisfied when they leave our shop.”

Future Auto Care has been repairing and maintaining all types of vehicles (including hybrids) at its Fremont facility since 2016. The company is qualified to handle everything from oil changes and factory-recommended maintenance to brake work and air conditioning system repairs.

Unlike less experienced auto repair shops that require customers to drop off their cars in the morning and don’t provide reliable pickup times, Future Auto Care books an appointment for every customer so they can plan their day accordingly. “A lot of shops won’t even call you until the next day, but we have the staff to get the job done fast,” says Mr. Lin. “Our customers know they won’t have to wait around for hours, and they really appreciate that because it shows we care about their time.”

Future Auto Care further differentiates itself from its competition by offering long warranties and nationwide service agreements. “Our customers leave here knowing the work has been done properly and they’re covered under a strong warranty,” says Mr. Lin. “Most of our services come with a lifetime labor warranty, and since we’re an O’Reilly Nationwide Certified company, warranty repairs are covered at participating shops throughout the United States.”

Longer service intervals have advantages and disadvantages for vehicle owners.

In the past, manufacturers would recommend bringing in your car every three months for an oil change and a checkup, but due to technological advancements, today’s service intervals are stretching out for much longer. “For example, if your vehicle has synthetic blend oil, it only needs its oil changed every six months or 5,000 miles,” says Sean Lin, owner of Future Auto Care in Fremont. “And if your car runs on fully synthetic oil, you can go up to 10,000 miles before getting a checkup.”

Mr. Lin says these long oil change intervals benefit consumers, but they can also have side effects. “If your car services are stretched a year apart, there might be problems between those appointments that go unnoticed. In the past, mechanics would have eyes on most vehicles every 3,000 miles or three months, but with longer service intervals, that’s not the case anymore. Your mechanic might not see problems early enough to warn you about things like coolant leaks and worn out brakes.”

Protect your investment with routine maintenance

Even if your vehicle doesn’t need an oil change, there are steps you can take to make sure it’s running smoothly between recommended checkups. Consider the following tips:

• Check your vehicle fluid levels every month and visit your mechanic if you notice falling levels of oil, brake fluid or coolant.
• Check your tire pressure regularly and monitor tread depth.
• Have a repair shop check your brakes immediately if you notice squeaking or squealing, shaking when you brake, brake pedal vibrations, or other signs of brake wear or failure.
• Have your tires rotated every 5,000 to 10,000 miles.
• Monitor systems and components like A/C and fans, headlights and brake lights, and “check engine” and other warning lights.
• Have your vehicle checked out before going on a long road trip.

Q: Can you diagnose my vehicle’s problem over the phone?

A: When it comes to auto repairs, there aren’t many things that can be done over the phone. We need to see your vehicle so we can diagnose the problem and determine how to fix it.

Q: Can you perform a safety inspection on my new car?

A: Yes, we’d be happy to look at your new car and tell you if it’s safe.

Q: Can you tell me why my “check engine” light is on?

A: Yes, we offer free diagnostics for ‘check engine’ lights.

Q: What’s the difference between synthetic oil and conventional oil?

A: Synthetic oil is manmade and has multiple benefits for vehicle engines. Conventional oil is a relic in the industry. It needs to be replaced about four times a year, but synthetic oil only needs to be replaced once a year. Even though synthetic oil can be more expensive, it’s still worth the extra money in the long run.

Q: Do I have to take my car to the dealership to get the best repairs?

A: Some vehicle repairs require special tools like scanners and computer equipment that are only available at dealerships, but that’s usually not a problem. We have computers and scanners for Mercedes-Benz and BMW vehicles, so we’re comfortable working on 95 percent of cars that are on the road. There are some barriers, though. For example, we can change the oil in a Maserati, but we can’t reset the oil maintenance light because it requires a special scanner. Even though that’s a rare situation, you should call and ask us about your make and model so we can confirm that we’re able to service it.