Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, our shop in Dallas TX offers more affordable prices than a dealership while providing the best service.

Our repair specialists are very skilled and can tackle a wide range of issues without the steep fees that dealerships might charge.

If you're in the Dallas area, you can find us at 11353 Mathis Ave, Dallas, TX 75229. Click on the address for easy directions.

Only if we have a free technician, which is not often. We do our best to keep our technicians busy and prefer to work by appointment as we have already made promise times to our customers currently in progress. To ensure you can be seen when you come in, we request that you schedule an appointment.

At Southwest Auto, we believe your cheapest insurance for maintaining engine longevity is the quality of the oil and filter used.

For this reason, we recommend oil changes every 5,000 miles or 5 months – whichever comes first. For our customers that are doing less than 5,000 miles a year, call us to determine if your driving habits justify an oil change more than once a year.

It is not only important to ensure the health of your engine, but also to verify there have not been any safety concerns developing.

Call us so we can discuss what is happening. In most cases, if the engine is not running noticeably different and the check engine light is not flashing it may be OK to drive your vehicle in to diagnose the issue.

We always aim to look at a vehicle within 24 hours of being dropped off. During our busy season, it can take closer to 48 hours – worst case is 72 hours.

We can better advise you of the wait time when you schedule an appointment.

We have a convenient night drop box for our customers that cannot make it during business hours. On the front of the drop box is a QR code that can easily be scanned to submit your information. Then you lock your car, drop the keys in the slot, and let us do the rest. We will collect your keys and information in the morning and get the ball rolling on diagnosis.

If you are picking up your car after hours, we have 3 lock boxes right next to the front door. You will be supplied a code that correlates to a particular box in which you will find your keys. Just enter the code, pull down on the middle latch, and the front will pop off. Our front lot is lit at night and always recorded via security cameras.

Our diagnostic charge for one hour of time is $149.97. The majority of vehicles needing diagnosis will be at this level. During this time, our mechanics use factory scan tools to read any codes stored in the vehicle and perform a variety of tests to ensure the remedy is correct. Many places can “read codes” but fewer places have the expertise to correctly identify the cause of the code.

In many cases, the code is not the immediate answer. There are some instances in which additional time will be required, but we make sure you are aware of that prior to completing the diagnosis. Not every vehicle requires a diagnostic charge though. Please call us to describe what you're experiencing with your car or truck so we can better advise.

No. Our technicians’ time and knowledge are very valuable and that is an actual hour they spend with your vehicle.

We have found that in many cases, when another shop claims the diagnostic goes “towards” the repair, they build that time into the job you are approving.

Therefore, even with our diagnostic pricing structure set up this way, we remain very competitive.

Yes! We have many options to accommodate your busy schedule. We do utilize Uber at no cost to our customers who have more complex repairs. Typically, we can have a vehicle here within 10 minutes.

We also offer loaner vehicles that are free of charge. We just ask that you replace any gas you use. You must be 25 years of age or older and have a current driver’s license and insurance.

These are a popular option and book out a couple days in advance. We also offer after hours drop off for those of you that cannot get to us during business hours.

• Follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule to prevent costly repairs down the road.
• Conduct regular checks on your vehicle's key systems, such as brakes, tires, and fluids, to catch potential issues early.
• Maintain detailed records of all repairs and maintenance done, facilitating better service and warranty claims.
• Compare prices from different auto repair shops and seek recommendations to find reliable, budget-friendly options.

Yes, booking an appointment online is simple! Click the button below, select your preferred date and time, and schedule your visit with ease.