Tillema Auto

10/13/2026

30 years in business doesn't happen by accident.

It happens because people choose you. Refer you. Come back.

To every Byron Center family that has trusted us with your vehicles over the years: thank you. You're the reason we still love this work, and you're the reason we've never had to think twice about whether honesty is the right way to run a business.

It is. You've proven that.

If there's anything we can do for you — a car you're looking for, an honest second opinion on a repair, or just a straightforward conversation about what your vehicle needs — our door is open.

📍 2667 84th St SW, Byron Center, MI
📱 (616) 878-5991 | tillemaauto.com

10/10/2026

The used car market has changed a lot since we opened in 1995. Here's what hasn't.

Prices got complicated after supply chain disruptions. Online listings exploded. Private sellers became more sophisticated. The average buyer now does more research before stepping onto a lot than at any point in the past 30 years.

All of that is true. And none of it changes what actually makes a used car a good purchase.

A documented service history. A clean title. A seller who tells you what they know about the vehicle — including the things that aren't perfect.

The internet gives buyers more information than ever. But we've watched buyers get burned chasing the lowest price online because nobody looked under the hood before the paperwork was signed. More information doesn't automatically mean better decisions.

That's still our job. And after 30 years, we're still doing it the same way.

See what we have in stock, complete with the full Carfax on every vehicle, at tillemaauto.com.

📱 (616) 878-5991 | Byron Center, MI

10/07/2026

"I've been taking my vehicles to Tillema Auto for years. Always appreciate their friendly, knowledgable and thorough service.

Recently I had a bad battery changed out for a new one. I then received a call a day or two after to make me aware that the battery was under a warranty and they would be sending me a full refund check for the warranty amount! They didn't need to go the extra mile to do this. I would have never been aware otherwise. Really appreciate the honest business practices." -Dan Venema

Thank you for your review and continued business, Dan!

10/05/2026

Before you spend an hour searching Google for used car advice, check our blog first.

We've spent 30 years answering the same questions West Michigan drivers ask before buying a car or bringing one in for service. A lot of those answers are now on our website, free, written by the same people who work on and sell vehicles every day.

A few things you'll find there:
➡️ How to spot red flags when buying a used car
➡️ How to get your car ready for Michigan winters
➡️ Tips for buying a family vehicle that grows with your needs
➡️ Best used SUVs for Michigan roads
➡️ A local guide to Byron Center from our family

No sales pitch. Just honest, practical information from a team that's been in this business for 30 years.

Start reading: tillemaauto.com/blog

📱 (616) 878-5991 | Byron Center, MI

Visit our Tillema auto website for a variety of blog posts on auto service tips, travel tips and much more.

10/05/2026

Michigan fall is one of the best times to be on the road.

Color tours, apple orchards, long drives up north — it's all out there.

It's also the season when West Michigan drivers start asking an important question: am I in the right vehicle before winter arrives?

If the answer is no, or if you're just not sure, Tillema Auto is a good place to start.

For 30 years, Byron Center families have come to us because we do things the way a car dealer should: honestly, fairly, and without the pressure. No games at signing. No surprise fees. Just a straightforward experience from start to finish.

Here's how easy it is:
1. Browse our inventory at tillemaauto.com
2. Call us to set up a test drive
3. Drive your next car home before the first snowflake falls

Not shopping yet but your car needs attention before the cold hits? Our service center handles that too. Call Dan and get on the schedule this week.

📱 (616) 878-5991 | tillemaauto.com

09/26/2026

A lot of Byron Center buyers think depreciation is something that just happens to them. It's not.

The moment you drive a new car off the lot, you're handing money back to the bank.

That's why buying used isn't a compromise — it's a smart move. When you buy a 2015 Land Cruiser that's already taken the big hit, you keep more of your money in your pocket.

We just published a guide on how depreciation actually works so you can stop overpaying for the privilege of being first.

Read the guide and see which vehicles hold their value best: https://tillemaauto.com/blog/understanding-depreciation/

09/24/2026

You did the math. The sticker price fit the budget. Then the paperwork showed up.

Suddenly there's $1,200 in "doc fees" and "processing charges" you never saw coming. The number you planned around isn't the number anymore.

At Tillema Auto, that doesn't happen.

We price our vehicles fairly and tell you upfront what you're paying. No surprise line items in the finance office. No math you have to reverse-engineer at the last minute. Just an honest number you can actually plan around.

If you've been burned by dealership fees before, you're not alone. It's common enough that we wrote a full breakdown of the fees dealers typically charge, so you know exactly what to look for before you sign anything.

Read it here: tillemaauto.com/blog/do-car-dealerships-charge-extra-fees

📱 (616) 878-5991 | tillemaauto.com

09/21/2026

Your car is in good hands. Now the question is: what are YOU doing for the next hour?

Option one: stay with us.
Our waiting room has comfortable seating, private work stations if you need to get something done, and snacks to keep you going. A lot of customers settle in and barely notice the time.

Option two: step outside.
Our shop sits right on 84th Street in the heart of Byron Center, and there's a lot worth exploring within walking distance:

🥾 Kent Trails — The southern trailhead is right next to our shop. Flat, paved, easy on the knees, and great for all ages. You can see the trail entrance from our waiting area.

🍳 Alebird — Right next door, inside the historic Hotel Byron. The building has been on 84th Street since 1902. The food is locally loved and the space is warm.

🥩 Byron Center Meats — A fourth-generation family-owned butcher shop that's been in Byron Center since 1946. Worth the short walk, especially if dinner is still undecided.

🍦 Houseman's — Ice cream within walking distance. Two errands and a treat while we handle the hard part.

📱 (616) 878-5991 | tillemaauto.com

09/18/2026

When you're shopping for a used car, you're not just buying a vehicle. You're deciding whether to trust someone with a big purchase.

Here's what an honest mechanic would say: pull the Carfax, look under the hood, and don't pay more than the car is worth.

That's exactly how we work at Tillema Auto. We run the full Carfax on every vehicle. We get under the hood ourselves. And we price fairly, so there's no negotiating against theater.

No surprises when you get it home. Just a car you feel good about driving.

Byron Center families have trusted us with that for 30 years.

See what's in stock at tillemaauto.com or call us at (616) 878-5991.

09/15/2026

Used car shopping shouldn't feel like a high-wire act.

But for a lot of people, it does. You walk onto a lot not knowing what's hidden, not knowing if the price is fair, and not knowing if anyone will pick up the phone after you drive home.

That last part is where most dealers disappear. Not us.

At Tillema Auto, we've spent three decades building the kind of reputation that only comes one way: by being honest, fair, and still available after the sale.

Whether you're buying your first car or coming back for your fifth, we treat every purchase like a partnership.

We'd like to be the dealer you call when something comes up. Not one you hope never to hear from again.

Browse our inventory or call us at (616) 878-5991.