As a family-owned, local business, we love supporting other innovators and entrepreneurs in the Pioneer Valley. This month’s small business spotlight is on… coffee shops in Western MA! For most drivers, coffee is a critical part of the morning commute especially as the weather gets cooler and seasonal flavors hit the menu. If you’re in […]

A rattling exhaust heat shield can be both annoying and nerve-racking. Rattling in the exhaust is a common cause of heat shield issues, which can cause permanent damage to your vehicle. Here’s what to watch for: Can I just let it fall off? Some don’t see much use for a rattling exhaust shield so they’ll […]

Detailing a car takes some time but it’s well worth it. In this article, we’ll give you a step-by-step guide for detailing your car like a pro. Wash and Dry If you wash your car at home, you’ll want to pre-rinse, wash thoroughly, and rinse again to get all the grime off. It’s best to […]

Happy Fall! Peak season is almost here and the fall foliage is expected to be spectacular. Here’s our guide to the best fall foliage drives in New England. State Route 2, Massachusetts (The Mohawk Trail) Better known as Route 2, this was New England’s first official scenic highway. If you’re coming from Western Mass you […]

With cooler weather creeping up on us, it’s important to make sure that your car is prepared for the coming drop in temperature. Our Fall Auto Service checklist highlights the different areas of your car that you should pay special attention to this season. Headlights As the days slowly start to get shorter, it’s important […]

Going to the mechanic can be daunting⁠—especially if you don’t know how much a particular repair is going to cost. But putting off a necessary service could make your repair bill even higher, or create permanent damage in your engine. We have a lot of conversations with our customers who want to know, “how much […]

A fan favorite of the V&F Community, this article was originally published in January 2021 and has been updated to reflect changes in auto repair financing. Going to the mechanic can be daunting⁠—especially if you don’t know how much the repair is going to cost. But putting off a necessary service could make your repair […]

If you’re thinking of buying a new car, pre-owned vehicles are a great option to consider especially with the new car shortages spurred by ongoing chip and inventory shortages. When it comes to used cars there are so many options and variations, pros and cons to each model— it can be hard to know if […]

We get a lot of questions in the shop about what to do after buying a car, from how to register a car with the DMV to what kind of gas is best for the engine. Buying a new (or new to you) car can involve some costly maintenance mistakes if you don’t do your […]

Your engine’s temperature should be constantly, carefully controlled by a built-in thermostat. If any piece of the system malfunctions and your cooling system can’t offset that excess heat, your engine’s temperature will soar and could overheat—which can lead to costly repairs or irreparable engine failure. So, what should you do about an overheating engine? Here […]