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Shadetree Automotive Layton, UT

Shadetree Automotive

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Will Mechanics Let Me Bring My Own Parts?

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If you are wondering, “Will mechanics let me bring my own parts,” we have the answer for you.

At our auto repair shop, we very rarely allow a customer to supply their own parts. However, there are some very select situations that we will. We always want to do what is best and fair for everyone involved. Here are the main reasons why most mechanic shops (including ours) do not allow you to bring your own parts.

Warranty and Reliability of the Auto Part

When a mechanic shop is repairing your vehicle, they utilize years of experience to determine what part needs to be replaced and what the difference in quality is between different brands/ suppliers. Not all auto parts are created equal. Although you can often get a part that fits your vehicle properly from all the main suppliers like Napa, O’Reilly, AutoZone and Carquest; it is not always what is best for your vehicle or you. Using our years of experience, we have a list of parts that we trust the quality of from the top 4 suppliers in our area.

will mechanics let me bring my own parts

We have also itemized many parts that we will only trust an OE supplier to get us. It is typically less expensive, more convenient, and quicker to round up the parts needed from our local Napa supplier, so that is always our first choice. When we do decide to wait for the dealer, or one of our other OE quality suppliers, to bring us the part, it typically costs a bit more and takes a lot longer. We only do this when it is necessary to get the quality of the part we are willing to put our name behind.

When it comes to the quality of parts we will put on your vehicle, we will only install parts that we would feel comfortable having in our own car. Our theory is that if your original part made it 100k miles, the part we are installing should last just as long, if not longer. We give a minimum warranty of 3 years and 100k mile warranty on any new or remanufactured part we ever install on your vehicle.

Accountability

Believe it or not, we often get a faulty part right out of the box. Thankfully, it doesn’t happen too often, but our mechanics encounter it once or twice a month. When it does happen, it costs our mechanics a lot of time because it causes them to go back through the whole diagnostic process and verify their original diagnosis is correct.

Consider this; if you were to supply your own part in the case that the new part was faulty right out of the box, who is responsible for taking care of the mechanic’s time? It puts the mechanic, mechanic shop owner, and yourself in a difficult situation. If we supply the part and it is deemed to be defective, we make sure our mechanic’s time is taken care of.

High-quality mechanics have invested many years learning the craft and have spent thousands of dollars on tools. They deserve to be compensated fairly for the time spent working on your vehicle. Due to the volume of purchases we have with our parts suppliers, we have a good working relationship allowing us to lean on our suppliers to take care of any additional costs we may incur in that situation.

Profitability

There are a lot of expenses involved in operating a mechanic shop. Rent, utilities, tools, uniforms, support staff, supplies, etc. Due to these expenses, it is not possible to be profitable by selling labor only. All mechanic shops must order parts at our cost and apply a predetermined markup on that part. Yes, this means that buying a part from your local auto repair shop will cost you more than buying it directly from the parts supplier.

Honestly, we don’t buy parts from our suppliers at a much better price than our customers can. In order to take care of our team and keep our business open to take good care of you, we must make a fair profit on parts. If you supply your part, you must understand that is taking needed profits away from the mechanic shop and team that is helping you. 

Now, in the rare situations that it makes sense for the customer to bring a part they have ordered; a part every once in a great while should not hurt the mechanic shop. However, if customers are allowed to supply their own parts often, the shop will be in trouble.

Mechanic shops utilize a parts matrix to determine how much to charge a customer for parts. The matrix is designed to get us an average profit that will cover the expenses of the business. Parts will cost a little bit of a different amount at any shop you go to because not all shops have the exact same operating costs. Our parts matrix has a higher profit margin on lower cost parts and a lower profit margin on expensive parts like engines, transmissions, and modules.

I hope this answers the question, “Will mechanics let me bring my own parts?” If not, please feel free to call one of our trusted advisers for a more in depth explanation. We believe in transparency and want to be your trusted auto repair shop in Layton, Utah. We strongly believe that in doing business with you, everyone must win. You, the customer, me, the business owner, and most importantly, our hardworking team.

Filed Under: Mechanic, Auto Mechanic, Auto Repair Shop, Auto Service, Car Mechanic, Car Repair, Truck Mechanic

Working on a Mini Cooper requires tools, parts, and training that not many mechanics have. It is typically best to take your car to a Mini Cooper mechanic shop that specializes in BMW and Mini.

Mini Cooper Mechanic

Our team of mechanics here in Layton, Utah know your Mini Cooper as good or better than anyone in the area. There is only one Mini dealer in Utah and it is in the greater Salt Lake area. We are grateful for our mechanics, led by our Mini specialist, Tyler. He spent the beginning of his career working for the BMW / Mini dealer before bringing his knowledge to our shop. He is a blessing to have in the shop to diagnose any concern you may have with your Mini.

mini cooper mechanic layton ut

As a shop owner, it takes a long time to assemble a great team of mechanics. Most mechanics are nervous to work on Mini Cooper, so it takes an even greater amount of time to find a good Mini Cooper mechanic.

Mini Cooper is not as common to see in an independent auto shop, like most other makes. Therefore, most mechanics don’t dedicate the time needed to learn how to work on them. Not to state the obvious, but Minis are very compact and it takes a little patience when replacing parts under the hood. A good Mini Cooper mechanic needs the knowledge, tools, and a good amount of patience. Thankfully our Mini specialist, Tyler, has all these things.

Mini Cooper Tools

Mini Cooper is one of the makes that requires some specific tools to diagnose and repair properly. Most shops cannot justify the cost of these tools due to the infrequency that they have Minis in their shops. We have made the investment in all the tools and software needed to perform repairs properly. We have even gone as far to have the factory BMW / Mini scan tool. This makes our mechanics’ job much easier to perform diagnosis, repairs, and programming.

Mini Cooper Parts

Your Mini Cooper generally requires parts, fluids, and filters that are not commonly stocked at the local parts stores. Due to Mini Cooper not having a large presence in Utah, it doesn’t allow the local Napa, O’Reilly, and AutoZones to invest in the inventory needed to properly service them. We have a great relationship with a parts supplier based out of California that has a distribution center in Salt Lake City. This allows us to order OE quality parts that we can get the same day or next day without relying on the Mini dealer. Even the engine oil required for your Mini is likely not stocked at the local oil change shops. 

Mini Cooper Training

Most shops rely on the area parts suppliers to line up training opportunities. The fact that the big three suppliers in our area are not focused on stocking parts for Mini, they also don’t focus on bringing us the Mini training we require. Thankfully our relationship with our European parts supplier allows us access to all the OE training we need to stay up to date with BMW and Mini.

It is my suggestion that you spend the time to find a mechanic that loves your Mini the same way you do. Finding a Mini Cooper mechanic shop here in Utah is not the easiest task. We would love the opportunity to earn you as our customer and take great care of your Mini. We know them, we love them, and we specialize in them.

Filed Under: Mechanic

Shadetree Automotive is the best Toyota 4-Runner Repair Shop in Utah.

The Toyota 4-Runner is one of the best SUVs on the market today. With that being said, there are still a few issues that pop up from time to time that should be addressed.

Our expert team of advisors often get phone calls with one question in particular from Toyota 4-Runner owners.

“Why is my 4-Runner shaking?”

The most common diagnosis of a shake on a 4-Runner is a tire vibration.

Due to the off-road capabilities of the Toyota 4-Runner, it is common for mud or snow to get caught inside the wheel and cause the tires to be out of balance.

This type of vibration will be felt in the steering wheel or your seat as you get up to speed. If it goes away when you come to a stop, then you know it is caused by a part that rotates when driving.

Red Toyota 4-Runner with muddy tires and wheels.
Toyota 4-Runner with dried mud stuck in the wheel and tire tread.
Tire replacement at Shadetree Automotive in Layton Utah
Tire Cupping – Using the wrench as a straight edge. Notice how the tread depth is slightly uneven.
Un-balanced tires due to mud on a Toyota 4-Runner
Heavy mud caked on Toyota 4-Runner wheel. Image

Any vehicle with an unusual vibration or shake is cause for concern and should definitely be looked at by a certified Toyota technician.

Russ is our Toyota 4-Runner Expert at Shadetree Automotive

Now don’t panic too quickly; many vibrations are a minor repair and an easy fix. That being said, it is still very important to get it to your Toyota mechanic to avoid any problems.

Another common vibration we see with the Toyota 4-Runner is an engine vibration caused by worn engine mounts.

Toyota 4-Runner engine mounts are made from heavy natural rubber. As your engine operates, it creates normal vibrations due to all the rotating and moving parts. Toyota uses rubber engine mounts to attach the engine to the frame so that the driver does not feel the engine vibrations.

Toyota 4-Runner motor mount view from the front passenger wheel well
2005 Toyota 4-Runner Passenger Motor Mounts
new replacement motor mont for Toyota 4-Runner
Toyota OEM Motor Mounts

The rubber portion of engine mounts are exposed to high heat and a lot of force when operating your vehicle.

Over time the rubber deteriorates, causing excessive movement of the engine, leading to the driver feeling vibrations, shakes, or even clunks if it gets bad enough.

This is not something you want to ignore. Allowing the engine to move around more than designed will lead to many other problems if left for too long.

If worn mounts are left alone for too long, it can cause leaks in other systems due to pushing or pulling on fittings. We have even seen extreme cases where it causes engine or transmission damage.

Although I just gave you two examples of why your Toyota 4-Runner could be shaking, there is a list of many other reasons you could be experiencing this.

  • Brake Pulsations
  • Engine Misfires due to worn tuneup parts
  • Transmission Shudders due to poor fluid quality or improper level
  • Suspension play due to worn components

And the list goes on…

I recommend getting your 4-Runner into your trusted repair shop as soon as possible and having a specialized Toyota mechanic do a full inspection. 

Schedule your 4-Runner online today here.

Shadetree Automotive in Layton is the highest rated Toyota 4-Runner repair center in Utah.

“What does it cost to do a full inspection on my Toyota 4-Runner”

Here at Shadetree Automotive, we start with a $135 full inspection.

This is where we will address any noted concerns, along with looking over the entire health of the vehicle. 

Tyler is one of our expert Toyota mechanics at Shadetree Automotive.

This inspection includes:

– Our service adviser having a quality conversation with you and noting any concerns you may have for our Toyota mechanic.

– Our Toyota mechanic performing an extended test drive to duplicate your concerns while also testing all systems on your vehicle.

– A full underhood check- Battery test, air filter check, check levels and quality of all fluids, look for obvious leaks, check belts and hoses, then take pictures and make notes of all findings.

– A full under-vehicle check- Check tire measurements, check brake measurements, check all steering and suspension components, check all drivetrain components, check exhaust components, check for obvious leaks, check levels and quality of all fluids, then take pictures and make notes of all findings.

– A fully scheduled maintenance check– Check service history and note all services due or coming due based on age and miles. This is typically spark plugs, cabin air filter, fluid services, timing belt (when applicable), fuel filter (when applicable), etc.

Schedule your
4-Runner

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Shadetree Automotive is the highest rated Toyota Repair Shop in Utah. Read reviews here!

Why Your 4-Runner is Most Likely Shaking

Filed Under: Mechanic, Vehicles

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Service Center

757 UT-193
Layton, UT 84041
P: (801)771-6711
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