Tom's Automotive Service

12/16/2022

You need reliable & dependable vehicles for your business to run smoothly. Rely on our complete auto repair services for your business or corporate vehicles.

Each of the fleet repair technicians on our team maintains an ASE certification and we keep the latest diagnostic tools and equipment to help find and address the issue… so there is little downtime for your vehicles.

Keeping you in better business.

Our philosophy is simple and practical: keep your fleet reliable through our preventative maintenance services.

If you have any questions, one of our certified fleet repair experts will be happy to help you!

12/15/2022

There are two different systems cooling totally different things in your vehicle. They are
The air conditioning system, and
The cooling system
These two systems are commonly confused, so we’re here to share the difference. And really, it’s the difference between creature comforts and optimal engine operation.

https://tomsautomotive.com/creature-comforts-vs-critical-engine-operation/

12/14/2022

Winter-izing Your Vehicle for Best Maintenance Care, Safety, & Reliability - Tom's Automotive

Winter-izing Your Vehicle for Best Maintenance Care, Safety, & Reliability

"Maintenance costs less over time than repairs"... that's why it's especially important to winterize your vehicle. Click for your winter maintenance checklist now.

12/10/2022

Life expectancy of a windshield wiper blade is about three to six months around here; we all know it rains in Seattle.

We understand you’d like to save money on blades, since you’ll be buying them every few months.

But allow us to warn you… not every wiper blade is built for every car.

You may be tempted to grab a set of generic wiper blades from a big box store. We get the temptation. But these sale-blades don’t always fit the car you’re driving… this is especially true for Hondas and many other vehicles, which have a specific shape of windshield.

12/09/2022

We don’t offer tire service here in the shop, but our neighbor up the road on Alaska SW is Les Schwab Tires, and they are great.
With wet weather – and possibly snow and ice – your vehicle needs the right tires with the right amount of tread in order to keep everyone as safe as possible.

12/08/2022

We in Seattle and West Seattle get wayyyy more use out of our wipers (front and back) than many other places in the country. We inspect yours in every service that we offer. When was the last time you had your wipers replaced?

12/07/2022

Safety has a lot to do with visibility. Making sure your lights are clean, bright, and on when they should be on is part of maintenance. This includes headlights, rear lights, cabin lights, dashboard illumination, and directional lights (also known as blinkers).

12/06/2022

We hurt inside when we hear about cars that won’t start on frozen mornings due to dead batteries. This is wholly avoidable and we never want this to happen to you. Batteries hold the power to “get your motor running”… so you can “head out on the highway.”
We can – and do – test batteries for every service so we can advise you of what to expect and when to expect the need for a replacement.

12/05/2022

Best practices are part of our daily processes. It feels good to be a part of a forward-thinking community regarding recycling and waste management. And it feels good to make a few simple efforts to further minimize our footprint.

We believe that small efforts add up. And recycling is one part of our effort.

11/25/2022

Your Vehicle Needs Oil. Period. - Tom's Automotive

Motor oil is an essential part of the vehicle. It lubricates, it cools, it keeps the engine running for an extended period of time without any issues.west-seattle-oil-change

If you have a newer vehicle, one made in the last year or two, you’ll actually need to inspect the oil more often, not less.

While we understand that you may have been told (by the person selling the car) that your vehicle won’t need oil for 6 or 9 months, it’s just not true. We sympathize but have found that most of today’s newer vehicles are using oil and most likely will need some added between services.

Your vehicle’s oil system may hold between 3.5 quarts for a newer, smaller car to 10 or 12 quarts for a non-commercial diesel truck.

Your Vehicle Needs Oil. Period. Tom's Automotive

11/24/2022

Happy Thanksgiving!

11/23/2022

The alternators and batteries are especially important in newer vehicles with all the electronics that are built into modern cars.

Let’s walk through another hypothetical scene: you’re going down the road and you’ve got all the lights on and the wipers on, the radio, everything. It’s all drawing from the battery.

Your alternator is trying to keep the battery up to a certain level to maintain all that you’ve got going on in the car over time. Let’s also say that you usually drive with everything on, all the time.

Once your alternator starts getting weak and not be able to keep that voltage up, that’s when the battery starts to go because it’s working too hard and can’t keep up to that needed level of charge.

Then, when you keep driving a vehicle with weakening batteries, well, that makes the alternator charge too much. This is when your alternator is going to get too hot and fail prematurely.

People don’t want to believe that they need a battery because they feel it’s too expensive.

They feel this way up until the moment they learn they have to put a new alternator in their car.

We’d love to help keep you and your family safe on the roads with regular, guaranteed vehicle maintenance and repairs. Schedule your next service with us today.

11/20/2022

Batteries in newer vehicles do a lot of work in ancillary systems as well as in the main “turn-the-vehicle-on” functionality. Getting your battery checked and keeping it charged well is a basic task in maintaining a car, but it’s especially important to be clear that yours is reliable before winter ice or snow makes an appearance.

11/19/2022

3 Best Ways To Defrost Your Windshield in Seattle, Plus the Single Worst Way - Tom's Automotive

When the winter wet weather turns icy on your windshields in West Seattle, be sure to use best practices for defrosting your vehicle and clearing up your view before you step on your gas.

Whether or not you have to commute these days, when you have ice on your windshield, you’ll want to remove it carefully so your windshield doesn’t crack. These are the 3 tips we suggest to make sure you get on your way safely, with a clear view.

Seattle weather requires a few specifics regarding car, truck, SUV, and hybrid care. Sharing best (& worst) ways to defrost your windshield.

11/18/2022

ABC’s of Fall Vehicle Maintenance and Repair in West Seattle - Tom's Automotive

A few vehicle maintenance activities now may save you time, money, and frustration in needed repairs later, West Seattle neighbors! We won’t go through the whole alphabet, but we’ll give you the Fall ABC’s right here.

ABC’s of Fall Vehicle Maintenance and Repair in West Seattle Tom's Automotive

11/13/2022

Sadly, you can’t wait for a car, truck, SUV or hybrid to “tell” you that it needs new brakes.

But there are a few tips we can offer that may help you to stay aware of your brake system’s performance.
Here are a few things to watch for when it comes to brake care, maintenance and one day, replacement.

Dashboard lights-Could be that the brake fluid is low, or a rare sensor has been tripped.
Grinding sounds
Squeaking sounds
Pedal Pulsations
There are a couple of questions we’ll ask, and we may want to take a test drive with you, to be sure we’re on the right page when you share about feeling a pedal pulsation. One possible answer to a true pedal pulsation is that the brake rotors are no longer flat (aka: out of round, or warped). This is a sign of normal wear and a new need for care and rotor replacement.
Change in brake pedal sensitivity or pressure
Such as the pedal going all the way to the floor. We’ll check for many things, and one of those things will be an active brake fluid leak.
A test drive with one of our ASE technicians will also help to troubleshoot the problem together. And get to the solution together too.

https://tomsautomotive.com/more-about-brake-maintenance/

11/12/2022

Defrosters don’t get a lot of consideration, until they aren’t working well.

The big surprise about defrosters is the system that drives it… the air conditioner.

It is your air conditioner that helps to get the moisture out of the air (and off the windshield). When you turn the defrost on, it’s your air conditioner that kicks in to help get all that moisture out. So, if your air conditioning is not functioning properly, you’re not going to have a good defrost during those dark, cold, early mornings.

https://tomsautomotive.com/defroster-not-doing-its-job-in-your-vehicle/

11/11/2022

Thank you Veterans!

11/05/2022

Don't forget to Fall Back this weekend! Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday, November 6, 2022, at 2:00 A.M. On Saturday night, clocks are set back one hour (i.e., gaining one hour) to “fall back.”

11/04/2022

Bring one of these coupons on your next visit to Tom’s Automotive Service and SAVE!

Our online coupon offers are updated on a regular basis, so be sure to check back to see what other vehicle services and repairs you can save money on!

Or, separately, join us in supporting the West Seattle Food Bank. Bring in 3 canned goods or non-perishable items and receive 10% off of your final bill….up to $20.00. This is a year-round food drive, so you’ll never miss it.

We take MC, Visa, Discover, Cash and Checks.

https://tomsautomotive.com/specials/

11/03/2022

Year-Round Giving at Tom’s Automotive… But Most Especially in November - Tom's Automotive

If you’ve been following us for a little while, you already know that we support the West Seattle Food Bank all year round here at Tom’s Automotive.

Wanted to remind you of this as the days get shorter, and the nights are darker, and the chill in the air deepens with the Winter season.

Our year-round giving at Tom’s Automotive helps support the West Seattle Food Bank. With this last offer, when you bring in 3 items of non-perishable foods or specific goods (or more), you’ll receive 10% off (up to $20) on your service.

10/28/2022

(Still) Thrilled About the Re-Opening of the West Seattle Bridge - Tom's Automotive

The total & utter delight of the (re)opening of the West Seattle Bridge is still running high here at Tom’s Automotive.

It’s feeling so good to have more flow of traffic close to us with the bridge being back in service.

Customers are sharing that they are loving having more of their time back as they adventure “off-island” and back again.

Wanted to give a head’s up and an update as you travel back and forth on the West Seattle Bridge:

We are just 2 blocks off the bridge, so if you see your engine light, oil light, or any unfamiliar dash or warning light come on while you’re mid-bridge, definitely pull right into our shop and park.
If we’re closed, please complete the night bird service envelope, and drop it into the garage slot for us. We will contact you at our soonest availability.
*Note: Don’t forget to put your key into the envelope, please.

No shuttle service is available at this time, but there are plenty of alternate travel options are close by: mass transit lines, but also cabs, Ubers, and Lyft vehicles-for-hire are available too.
Being so close to the West Seattle Bridge makes for convenient drop offs and pick ups for your vehicle’s maintenance routine. Chances are good that since the bridge got back into service, you and your loved ones are using your cars, trucks, SUVs, and hybrids more often.
Regular maintenance is always less expensive than repairs. Ask us about your vehicle’s maintenance plan when you’re next in the shop… if you don’t have one, we’ll make one with you, based on your priorities.
We are thrilled to have the West Seattle Bridge back up and we don’t see the excitement for it dimming any time soon.

Make sure your vehicles are as safe and reliable as possible.

Schedule your next service with us today.

We're thrilled about the Re-Opening of the West Seattle bridge over at Tom's Automotive. Now that the bridge is open, it will make it easier to get into our convenient location 2 blocks away.

10/27/2022

Responsible disposal
Oils, agents and fluids are a part of our business. And so is the responsible disposal of those products. When we’re flushing brake fluids, changing oil or just topping off your wiper fluid, we’re aware that the responsible care, storage and proper disposal of used liquids is part of our job.

We will continue to act as a “green” business by using the current recycling methods available and by educating ourselves and our customers about how we can all positively contribute to our shared environment and our local West Seattle communities.

10/26/2022

The main “material” that changes the job title from “mechanic” to “technician” in the automotive industry, is the implementation of computer systems into the workings of each new brand.

Mechanical parts are still in place to a large extent, and still need maintenance of course. When the industry was newer, the work was all mechanical. Elbow grease, manpower as well as the black and oily grease that stained hands and nails.

Since the manufacturing and maintenance work was largely mechanical, there also grew an assumption that it was easy work…that anyone could do it.

Those are not today’s cars though
Now the industry is incorporating computer systems inside of cars, trucks, SUVs and hybrids that need updating and maintenance at regular intervals.

Cars are advancing just as fast as any smartphone is right now. Manufacturers are coming out with new makes and models with new computerized features that each technician must learn about in order to properly service it.

You can easily see how the work is now more technical…hence, the more widely-used industry term “technician.” Some might even say, “automotive engineer”
Auto maintenance on a new vehicle is no longer a weekend hobby that anyone can learn by trying to take it apart and then put it back together.

Our technicians are getting new and updated training every single month in order to stay educated and informed about how vehicles are changing and developing.

Similar to a smartphone when an operating system gets an update, when you think you have one thing figured out, the manufacturer changes something and we need to learn what’s changed and what the new protocol is.

In fact, every year, the whole shop closes down and we all attend a 3-day training. One unusual thing about our shop is that we pay for the cost of the training, but also the technician’s wages while they are learning.

Many shops don’t even pay for a technician’s training, much less their wages. Or, a shop might send one technician, maybe a lead, but not the whole staff, like we do.

Vehicles are changing and developing this fast. And we’re on top of what’s happening so we can give you the best possible service for your vehicle.

Schedule an appointment with us today!

10/21/2022

Smooth is what we want in a car, truck, SUV or hybrid, especially as you go from gear to gear. When it comes to gear-transition, we’re talking about the transmissions! This does include the clutch, whether you’re applying it manually, or your vehicle “does it for you” in an automatic vehicle.

In order to fully understand what’s happening with your vehicle’s transmission, your description is always helpful and we may also need to run a diagnostic test in order to get the full view of what may be happening, or not happening, with your vehicle’s transmission and/or clutch.

10/19/2022

We employ only the best ASE Certified Technicians and highly-trained solution-oriented Service Advisors.
The auto repair technicians on our team have access to the best parts available and receive regular, ongoing trainings to make sure your job is done right the first time.

Our employees are our most important asset in our business. We support and rely on their skills and abilities to satisfy our customers’ automotive service and repair needs.

It’s important to us to provide an enjoyable working atmosphere and to pay our technicians fair wages. We encourage their #1 focus to be repairing your vehicles and making them as reliable and as safe as possible.

On the front end, our knowledgeable and friendly service advisors are always ready and quick to help you.

It is a team effort at Tom’s.
And we appreciate the contribution and care made by each member of our staff.

Proud to be your “dealership alternative” in West Seattle.

10/18/2022

Shocks and struts do offer more comfort in the way a vehicle drives, yes. But did you know they are also designed for safety and traction?

How they work

The shock and strut mechanism is built in a way that actually pushes the tire to the ground for increased stability and traction.

Here’s what you’ll notice in the quality of your ride if your car, truck, SUV or hybrid is developing a shock or strut problem:

A generally bumpy or shaky ride, or rebounding more than once. Poor steering response, stiffness or noise when steering Instability, or less stability, when braking
Swaying or leaning while turning or changing lanes
The “clunk”, which is the feeling of a heavy drop after a turn or a lane change
Here’s what we’ll find if shocks and struts are an issue in your car:

Noticeable fluid leaks from the sealed mechanism, down the shaft.
Shocks, struts or mounts look dented or damaged
If your tires show unusual wear patterns
General testing has shown that at around 50,000 miles, original equipment shocks and struts may be worn to the point of needing replacing (depending on vehicle and driving conditions). It’s different for every manufacturer, but in general terms, a 50,000 mile check in on shocks and struts is money well spent for traction, stability…and comfort too!

Give us a call or stop in to talk about the nuance’s you’re noticing in your vehicle’s driving, braking and turning performance. Or, feel free to schedule an appointment so a technician can take a look for you.