The Busy Fall Season Is Just About Here So Make Your Appointment Early

We are experiencing a busy September and expect to be very busy throughout the holidays. So please make your needed appointment in a timely manner. Right now in most cases we are running a week out or more.

On top of being very busy we have been trying to hire Technicians for both locations however like most businesses right now we are having trouble hiring qualified people.

If you know of a Technician who might be looking for a job we would love to talk to them. We pay very competitively with health insurance, 401 K and employees never have to work weekends. Please have them give us a call. 770-457-9991

Geez, Please Don’t Do This To Your Vehicle

I know I just sent out an email a few weeks ago about cabin filters however a car came in yesterday that made me want to mention this again.

Please don’t let dirt, leaves and debris sit on the edge of the windshield. This will go into your vehicle's ventilation system and can cause serious harm to your vehicle. 

Your cabin air filter is typically behind the glove box in most late model vehicles. (my is behind the glove box) When the cabin air filter is unchanged for long periods of time, the dirt, dust and pollen builds up and is blown into the interior of the car when the heat or A/C is turned on. 

The cabin air filter also helps slow down the amount of road debris, leaves and much more from going further into your ventilation system. A dirty cabin air filter can result in allowing debris into the ventilation system and into the vehicle's evaporator core. This can and often does result in the evaporator core having to be replaced. Replacing an evaporator core is around $2500 to $4000 depending on your vehicle.

Keep in mind that in most cars the cabin filter is located behind the glove box. So if you keep your glove box as messy as mine please remember to unmess it before you come in for service. 

ToyoTechs Now Has A Truck and SUV Center

Due to our overwhelming amount of business we are making changes to how and where we will service our customers vehicles.

We are happy to announce that starting Monday August 31st we are opening our Toyotechs Truck and SUV Center located at 5630 Peachtree Boulevard in Chamblee.  (formerly the Atlanta Hybrid Repair building)

To help you be more comfortable Pat Garrett will be moving over to the Truck and SUV as the Service Manager. Bryan Johnson will move over to handle the parts department. Master Technicians Tyler Abbott, George McAuliffe, and Edwin Landrau will be the technicians at this location.

The Hybrid Repair shop is being relocated to ToyoTechs main location on Clairmont Road. Robbie Owings will be moving over to be a  Service Advisor and Master Technician Pat Tucker will also move over to the main shop to continue working on your hybrids. 

ToyoTechs is Atlanta’s premier independent Toyota and Lexus repair shop. We look forward to seeing you soon.

For appointments call 770-457-9991

 Hybrid Repair Has Moved Into the Main Toyotechs Location

Due to our overwhelming amount of business we are making changes to how and where we will service our customers vehicles.

We are happy to announce that as of Monday August 31st our Hybrid Repair shop has moved into the main ToyoTechs location at 4185 Clairmont Road. Our main  location is much larger to service you better. ToyoTechs has been making Atlantan’s happy since 1988. 

Robbie Owings is moving over to be a service advisor to handle your service needs. Master Technician Pat Tucker is also moving over so you will have the same folks you're familiar with serving and repairing your hybrids.

The Atlanta Hybrid Repair location is switching over to be the new ToyoTechs Truck and SUV Center. 

We are excited with the changes that are happening. This will make getting your vehicles serviced and repaired a more seamless experience. 

ToyoTechs is Atlanta’s premier independent Toyota and Lexus repair shop. We look forward to seeing you soon.

We will only be servicing Toyota and Lexus hybrids.

For appointments call 770-457-9991

Contactless Drop Offs and Pickup for Your Car’s Repair

We hope all of y'all are safe and not going nuts with the limited contact that we are having with our loved ones and friends. Working together we will get through this and ultimately be stronger for it.

As for your needed auto repairs we are making drop offs and pickups as safe as possible. When you come to the shop just fill out a night drop envelope and drop through the window. When your vehicle is ready we can just lock your key and receipt in the car.

You may also come in and drop off however only 1 person will be allowed in the office at a time with no one allowed to wait inside while work is performed. 

To be safe our technicians are wearing rubber gloves at all times. All doors and counters are being wiped down with disinfectant wipes hourly. Your vehicle will be wiped down before you pick up

I must emphasize that this too will pass. Be strong. 

We’re Open and Operating Safely

Well this living in the Twilight Zone is getting old however we are still open for all your vehicle’s needs. We are operating safely by wiping down doors counters and your vehicle. We also have contactless pickups and dropoffs just by using our dropbox and we will lock your key in the vehicle if requested.  All technicians wear rubber gloves and if anybody even thinks about sneezing they will be sent home. (thankfully we are all very healthy). 

We need to all practice supporting each other as much as we can. I have been getting take out food around 3 - 4 times a week whereas that’s not something I ever used to do. The restaurant workers are being hurt more than just about any other business. My daughter worked in the restaurant business for 12 years so I realize what I’m doing helps a bit. There are a lot of people hurting out there so please help a little. 

Our business has slowed down and to be honest it’s very weird. We’re all used to being so busy that we could hardly catch a breath. So now is a good time to get those put off service and repairs done. Call for an appointment 770-457-9991

THIS TOO SHALL PASS AND EVERYTHING WILL BE OK

New Hours During Covid 19 Outbreak

For the time being our new shop hours will be 8 am to 4 pm. We are still providing our usual better than the rest auto repairs. 

We are offering contactless dropoffs and pickup to make sure you are comfortable with having your car repaired. 

To be safe our technicians are wearing rubber gloves at all times. All doors and counters are being wiped down with disinfectant wipes hourly. Your vehicle will be wiped down before you pick up.

Life will get back to normal not too long in the distant future. However it will be a new normal. As soon as a vaccine is developed things will be much better with most everyone going back to work. It is important to have faith that it will be ok. 

This is scary business so tell someone you love that it will be ok. Call your family and friends and tell them it will be ok, it’s just gonna take some time.

Repairing Your Car or Buying a New One

We are fortunate to have so many regular customs that are just plain awesome. One our favorites Julie recently came recently needing close to $1800 in maintenance and repairs. The question so many customers have to decide is do I want to put this much money in a ten year old car or purchase new. Well there are several ways to look at this issue.

In Julie’s case her car needed a timing belt, water pump, oil change, brake and transmission flushes. Her vehicle is a 10 year old Lexus with only 98,000 miles. Julie made the choice to have the maintenance done to her car. This car should last another 5 - 10 years with regular maintenance.

Vehicles made in the last 15 years are not made like they were years ago when your car’s odometer rolled over to 100,000 miles it was time to get a new car. They just weren't made to last 200,000 - 300,000 miles. Any Toyota or Lexus made in the last 15 years should last 200,000 - 300,000 miles or more. (My 2011 Toyota made Scion XB has 317,500 miles on it and runs like a top)

Everybody loves a new car however perhaps not so much when it comes with a $500 - $600 a month car payment. That’s $6000 - $7000 a year that could go to so many other things such as bills, vacations or savings.

I have to say last year I went through a period of “new car fever” and started looking for a new vehicle. I liked this one and especially that one with all the new bells and whistles. Ahh the new car smell and look. No scratches dents or dings. It was almost like a touch of insanity entered my mind. The thought I then remembered was how glad I was when I made that last payment and the previous months looking forward to not having a payment.

Well so far I have not purchased a new car and actually my car did breakdown last week. Fortunately it was an inexpensive repair. I have only spent $550 in repairs in the last 15 months and still feel very confident in my vehicle’s reliability. This is not to say I won’t buy a new car in the next few years however I like the extra money in my bank account for now.

This is all food for thought mostly about not being afraid when your car is getting a little older or around 100,000 miles. New cars are nice however so is money in the bank.

(And I do still have that new car itch, I’m just not willing to scratch that itch...yet)

Chris

The Not’s and Don’ts of Car Ownership, Part 2

Here is part 2 of my newsletter “The not’s and don’ts of car ownership”. First things first. Was this the worst title to a newsletter you’ve ever seen or was that my way of getting your attention ? Probably both. If yall are anything like me, little reminders like this are a good thing to help me keep up with my car’s driveability and value.

1 - Not having your fluids checked regularly.  Failing to have your fluids checked on a regular basis can end up causing costly major mechanical breakdowns. Other fluids not being checked such as the windshield washer fluid are just an annoying inconvenience. We will check all your fluids when you come in for service.

2 - Not having your fluids changed or flushed as part of your regular maintenance schedule. Oil, transmission, power steering, and brake fluid all breakdown overtime and can leave your vehicle without the proper lubrication or protection the mechanical parts need. Fluid flushes and oil changes are a must.

3 - Not paying attention to noises. Turning up the radio is not the right way to make noises your car makes go away. Banging scraping or squealing sounds are a sure sign it's time for your car to go into the shop. Often times it is something simple other times having your car looked at sooner than later might save you from having a major engine repair.

4 - Ignoring recalls. Recalls can make your car run better. Often it can possibly save your life such as the Takata Airbag Recall. There are times some of the recalls can be more of a nuisance and possibly not worth taking the time such as a recall to lubricate the power window switch for your windows. The funniest recall was for the loose nut behind the steering wheel. As it turns out it was the operator of the vehicle. (haha)

5 - Not having your tires inspected. This is a safety issue.  Have your tires inspected for uneven wear and damage, which can be a sign of other issues with your car. Uneven wear can be an indication of wheels that aren’t in alignment or other suspension problems.

6 - Not Getting Your Wheels Aligned. Not having your wheels properly aligned can lead to uneven tire wear, handling issues, or cause your car to drift off the road or into oncoming traffic. Misalignment can be caused by worn suspension parts, hitting potholes, and bumping into curbs, among other causes.

7 - Don’t ride the brakes. Resting your left foot on the brake pedal or using both feet to drive can prematurely wear out your brakes, causing excessive heat buildup that can damage braking system components, and compromise the effectiveness of your automatic emergency braking system.

8 - Ignoring the Little Things. I’ve touched on it before, but it bears repeating. Little problems become big problems when it comes to your car. That small scratch becomes a pathway for rust, an that annoying noise becomes the need for new rotors or possibly a new engine if not repaired in time.

9 - Not having regular safety checks on your vehicle. Everytime you bring in your vehicle for service we put your car on a rack and check it from top to bottom. We will let you know what needs to be repaired now and what can wait.

10 - Not Having your vehicle serviced by qualified technicians. YEP we often get cars in for repair that were “repaired” elsewhere. We also get a number of vehicles from the dealer with check lists that have all sorts of things that don’t need to be serviced or repaired right now. YES we are not perfect and on occasion we make a mistake. (we hate to admit) However we always do our best to make it right.

Don't forget about our other shop Atlanta Hybrid Repair. AHR is equipped to handle all your Toyota and Lexus service needs. AHR is smaller, so often it's easier to get an appointment. Gas powered and hybrids are welcome. Located at 5630 Peachtree Blvd. 1 mile away from the main shop across the street from Wendy’s and the Kia dealership. Call Robbie for appointment at 770-492-7437

The Not’s and Don’ts of Car Ownership, Part 1

As car owners we often don’t drive or take care of our vehicle’s like we should. (including me and especially my daughters) I have put together a list of some things to think about and at some time hopefully act on. (Me included) I hope you’ll find these helpful.

1 - Ignoring warning lights. The warning lights on your dashboard should not be ignored. Each light means something and some could mean something critical. For safety sakes get these checked out ASAP.

2 - Not having your oil changed. Engines can go longer between oil changes than they used to, however that's no excuse for not regularly having your oil changed. When your car has reached the interval listed in your owner's manual or your car's maintenance reminder light comes on get it done soon.

3 - Don’t put off repairs. Repairs can be costly however often times putting them off can cost you even much more. For example, delaying purchasing new brake pads when needed can lead not only to safety problems but also lead to the need to replace additional expensive components.

4 - Not keeping to a maintenance schedule. The maintenance schedule published in the owner's manual is a guide for what’s best to keep your vehicle in the most desireable operating condition.

5 - Not paying attention to leaks.  If there’s leaked fluids on the floor of the garage, your car is trying to tell you something. (A pool of clear water coming off of the air conditioning compressor is OK) Often times leaks can be the beginning of some bad stuff happening. Nip it in the bud and possibly save hundreds if not thousands of dollars.

6 - Not washing your vehicle regularly.  Washing your car does more than just make it look good. It gets rid of dirt and chemicals from the road that can cause damage to the paint. During the spring and summer, tree sap and bird droppings left on vehicles can eat into the paint and need to be removed as soon as possible

7 - Not waxing your vehicle regularly. Waxing your car a few times a year provides a barrier that protects its clear coat and the paint below it. Waxing creates a layer that takes the abuse and sheds dirt and other chemicals.

8 - Not using your emergency brake. When you park and rely on your transmission to hold the car, you risk costly transmission damage and create a possible safety hazard when you don't use the parking brake. Leaving the car in park alone can put tremendous stress on the transmission especially on the hills in the Atlanta area.

9 - Not using the correct fuel.  Surprisingly a lot of folks use the wrong fuel in their vehicle. Simply using premium unleaded in a car that only requires regular unleaded won’t cause you any trouble but in your wallet. Doing the opposite might cost you some power, but it usually won’t damage anything. However, using ethanol (E85) or diesel in a car not designed for it is a route to costly repairs. See your owner's manual for the correct fuel for your car.

10 - Don’t overfill your gas tank. Topping off your gas tank can compromise your car’s performance, damage your paint, and increase air pollution. When you overfill the tank, excess fuel can flow into the car’s vapor collection system, allowing liquid into a charcoal canister that is intended to hold fuel vapor, not fuel itself.

11 - Don’t run out of gas. When you run the car out of gas, you risk damaging your fuel pump, which is cooled and lubricated by the flow of gas. This obviously also can cause an unsafe situation.

12 - Not slowing down enough for speed bumps. Speed bumps are designed to slow your pace through neighborhoods and other congested spaces. If you do them right, they increase safety and won’t affect your car. Do them wrong, and you risk damaging your suspension, bumper, and underbody.

Don't forget about our other shop Atlanta Hybrid Repair. AHR is equipped to handle all your Toyota and Lexus service needs. AHR is smaller, so often it's easier to get an appointment. Gas powered and hybrids are welcome. Located at 5630 Peachtree Blvd. 1 mile away from the main shop across the street from Wendy’s and the Kia dealership. Call Robbie for appointment at 770-492-7437