Tumwater Automotive

I went in today to have a noise checked. I met with Mitch. I found him not only friendly, but extremely knowledgeable. I was prepared for some major repairs, but Mitch fixed the problem with a nine dollar repair. I was a little embarrassed because of the simplicity of the fix, but that was replaced with the relief of saving some major bucks.
I was the fleet manager for a university a few years back and was used to dealing with the up-​sales pitch at most garages. I am very pleased to find an honest business in this industry. I highly recommend Tumwater Automotive.

I have taken several cars and trucks here. Great service. They have been open and honest.

They we’re so friendly and obviously family oriented. I would have never expected that level of service from any business and felt like a genius for calling them first, I was so impressed I didn’t even call the dealership or other mechanics I had planned to.
Past experience: I had taken my husband’s old car here once before and they were great at helping diagnosis the issue and offer a recommendation for where to have the wiring fixed at.
Recent experience: I always taken my car to a family member or the dealership for maintenance. Recently my van started making awful noises and needed an oil change. I was terrified it was going to fall apart. I called them to see what they thought of the noises I was experiencing over the top of my 2 small sick kids wining in the background. They wanted me to bring the van in for a look and I asked if it was something i could put off because of the sick kids. They offered to have a technician drive my van and us home so I wouldn’t have to switch out carseats and I could explain the issue in more detail and get paperwork done all at the same time. Then would bring the van to pick me and the kids up when it was done and they would explain what they had done, they even offered to take my credit card inside to run it and bring me back the receipt.
They we’re so friendly and obviously family oriented. I would have never expected that level of service from any business and felt like a genius for calling them first, I was so impressed I didn’t even call the dealership or other mechanics I had planned to.

This place gets three thumbs up from me! Dropped my car off at lunch and picked it up not even three hours later. They were able to diagnose the problem and repair my car’s worn out ball bearing in a very short amount of time for an incredibly reasonable rate. The amazing service included a shuttle ride to and from my work and a free car wash! This place is really great and I will definitely be back when my car needs maintenance or repair.

My first expereince here was when my truck broke down just a mile or so away. A spark plug blew out of a cylinder, common on my car. Limped it to their parking lot and was told about $ 400 to helicoil the cylinder. I opted out of that, $ 20 later with a kit from Amazon and I had a fix in place.
I gave them another chance. Had my wife take in another car for spark plug change (I supplied the plugs), oil change and to look in to a «service ride control» message on the dash. I had a hunch what it was, some internet searching gave some specific options.
She called me, I was out of town, to approve the extra cost of spark plug wires because they told her they would most likely break while changing the plugs. She had told them she would let them know and the call to me was to confirm. I’ve done plugs on several cars, as old if not older, never ever had a problem with wires. Either case they quoted her something like $ 80 for a set of wires PLUS labor to install, if they broke. I told her no way, wires are all $ 40 on Amazon for any major brand and there should be no labor to install, especially not an hour. She left two messages and called back a third time and told them no, do not do it. They did it anyhow and said they had to replace 2 wires because they broke, no charge to us. They did work we did not approve. That is not ok.
Then I see the bill, $ 80 to diagnose the message on the dash… NO conclusion. Take it to the dealer. $ 80 for nothing, not even an ODB code reading on my bill.
So $ 300 for a change of plugs (I supplied) and an oil change. If you plug a reader in to my car and can’t figure out what the code means or what you need to do to fix it, that’s on you. You are the expert, not me. It’s not up to me to pay for your training, experience or lack thereof.
Did I contest anything? No, I was out of town on business and this was to save me some work at home of doing both jobs myself. Maybe they do good work, I can’t say and I won’t go to them again.
*Oh yeah, so they give a «wash» with the work. Wife shows up to get the car (They do have a shuttle service, I did appreciate that) and they could not wash it because the bumper has a crack. It’s not them washing it, it’s the place next door… but common. I’ve run it through plenty of washes. never a problem.

We have been bringing our vehicles here for several years. They are always fair, honest, up front, quick, efficient, and trustworthy. I always walk out of this place feeling ok unlike other places where I feel like I just got bent over. Excuse the visual but you know what I am talking about.
I will never take my car to the dealership again after using Tumwater Automotive. These guys know what customer service, honestly, and a fair price is.

6:50 am go out to car to go to work — won’t start! Took a chance and called Tumwater Automotive for the first time. Brett sent out Niqually Towing while I was at work, towed my car to the shop and called to tell me it was just loose battery cables! Oh and by the way he suggested I have a few maintance items done while my car was there under no pressre but it was all under $ 350! The dealer quoted me $ 700 a few months ago! To sum up — the whole experience was awesome and I had my car back by 10 a.m. without an appointment — these guys even washed my car as part of their service — let me tell you this is what customer service should be. Thanks a million for getting me in and back on the road on a Friday. A special shout out to Brett, Jack, and all the staff at Tumwater Automotive — now I know why you’re rated so highly! Will definitely recommend and be back.

I had my truck towed in for what I thought was a starter problem. I was quoted in the mid $ 300’s for the repair. I verbally approved it; then I get a phone call that it was not in fact this much more expensive part but only a battery cable problem. Start to finish having my truck towed in to time of repair, 2 ½ hours… without an appointment! My total was less than half what I was quoted, fixed the same day without an appointment and I am thrilled. I heard these folks were good; but who expected honesty, speed and great customer service? Thank you! Wendy St. Julien

We had a fantastic experience at Tumwater Automotive. We had been taking our delivery vehicle to another local auto shop for oil changes, but Tumwater Auto blew their customer service out of the water. The old place once left our vehicle on the lift after an oil change for the entire day trying to get us to buy an overpriced air filter. Tumwater Auto did a vehicle check, oil change, filled the windsheild wiper fluid, and washed the car for just over $ 50 in about an hour. You bet I’m going to take all my auto needs to them from now on. I trust their knowledge and integrity to get me exactly what I need at a fair price.

Had clutch replaced, One week later a leak developed. Instead of arguing that It was because it was an old car they fixed it under warranty. Excellent service and free shuttle service to near by offices. Good place for mechanical repairs on you well loved jalopy.

I’ve been bringing cars here for years and have always been treated fairly. What made me a fan is when our car blew a head gasket and there was an extended warranty on that item that I was unaware of. Instead of of fixing it and charging me (I would never have known), they buttoned it up and made an appointment at the dealer. No charge.
Brett is as honest as they come. Take your car in, you will most likely be pleased with the service you receive.

Our company has a small fleet of cars. We have been taking them to Tumwater Automotive exclusively for about 5 years now. I can not say enough good things about them! I picked up a car just today that they didn’t even charge me for — it needed a minor adjustment. In all businesses there are times when errors are made or things don’t work out exactly right. Who knows why? It’s the nature of business. The thing I like about TA is that they always do their best to make every experience a good one. Even if something goes wrong they are there to fix it and do whatever they can to make me a happy customer — and you know what? It works! I am a happy customer! If you are looking for an honest company who will NEVER try to sell you on services you don’t need and will always try to get you what you want (even if you are crabby like I’ve been before), then this is the place to go! If you aren’t good at communicating what you want, don’t come here though — they aren’t mind readers! Since they don’t ever try to upsell you, you will have to ask them for recommendations of what to do. That works for me :)

Just had my truck in for the 120K service… they did a good job… didn’t try to up-​sell me on crap I don’t need… the Truck is running great and I’ll be back to Tumwater Auto when I need service again…
Plus, I think they washed my truck? At least it looked cleaner when I picked it up? That’s always cool when a company does the small things to stand out from the competition.