Regular or Premium Gasoline?

A friend recently sent me a photo of the gas options offered at a fueling station and said, “Help! Which one do I use?” There were FIVE options at that particular pump. No wonder she was confused. I have since spent a lot of time researching different gas grades and I finally have an answer for her. What is the right answer for you?

The True Cost of Vehicle Ownership

You don’t have to look at a bill in panic when it comes to your car. There are ways you can plan ahead and, in many cases, have enough in your bank account to fully cover all the costs of owning and maintaining a vehicle.

The Meaning of “Family Business” Success

When we say we value our customers we mean it…and we try hard to show it without being overbearing. We truly care about each individual customer. Most people do not expect this from an auto repair shop and, it seems by people’s reactions, many people have not experienced this previously at an auto repair shop.

Getting Your Car Ready for the Road Trip to Grandma’s

Whether you are just visiting grandma a couple hours away for the weekend or staying with family and friends several states away, here are some things you should consider before you hit the road…

The Difference Between a Mechanic and a Craftsman

There’s a difference between “getting the job out of the door” and working with an approach of craftsmanship. Both approaches “get the job out,” but craftsmanship, while it usually takes longer, yields better long term results.

Challenges and Changes in a Mom and Pop Shop [We Like Mike]

On June 1, 2016, we brought on Mike Traher to Marinelli Auto Service. As soon as we did, the phone began ringing off the hook to the point where we had to make another big decision: to add a second phone line, which was a significant addition to our monthly expenses. However, it was a lot better than constantly returning your phone messages or waiting for one of us to get off the phone in order to make an important call.

Driving 300,000 Miles Takes More Than An Oil Change: Part 3

In this three part series so far I’ve covered why you should consider driving your car to 300,000 miles and how to maintain it well. In this final post, I want to share some advice on how to deal with inevitable unexpected repairs.