Palo Alto Auto Repair

Got a coupon out of one of the Palo Alto freebie papers and was able to just walk in and schedule a smog check at 4:45 on a Friday. Staff was friendly enough and the lead mechanic took some time to go over what might be causing high numbers on one section of my smog check even though it did pass. He knew exactly what the causes might be-- which isn't really rare knowledge, but he didn't have to look it up either, he knew off the top of his head. I looked up causes on the internet later and it was exactly as he mentioned. I don't get gas here, too pricey. But while I was there, they were mobbed with people buying gas. Guess that's Palo Alto for you.

Had to return to Shell because there was a water pump leak and the front breaks had to be replaced. Ravi diagnosed the problems, showed me an itemized list of the repairs needed as well as the costs, and promised that the car would be ready at 4:30 the same day. True to his word, the car was ready on time and it drives like a dream. My experiences at this Shell station have been excellent. I appreciate being treated with respect . Once again, I feel that Ravi is a gem!

Great service, good pricing and not least very trustworthy. I had my Volvo fixed there twice - they were 35 pct below Volvo and used same parts.

Great service

I have a car from 1998 that has already needed multiple repairs since I bought it last year. I have been lucky enough to get Ravi every time I go here, which I think is key because I had a slightly less than stellar interaction with the other guy that works here. I think I got even better treatment once they knew I was a regular, which I guess means my car sucks but oh well. I try to take my car in during the week, as I imagine they get much busier on the weekends. Anyways, I can't thank Ravi and his team enough for quick diagnostics and repairs, and very affordable charges!

I work in downtown Palo Alto and after a bunch of Yelp research, decided that this was the best place for a smog check in terms of quality of service and and price. I made my reservation a week or so in advance. That's plenty of time to get a time slot you want (I think it was during lunch on a Wed or Thurs). These guys are really professional. They looked like they were on break when I pulled in to the lot, but one of them came over immediately to get me checked in. It was about 30 minutes for the smog check and their timing was true to their word. My only small complaint is that the only somewhat real waiting area was a bench outside the convenience store. I guess they're much more a gas station so it's probably not worth it for them to have a waiting room with coffee like some car service businesses do, but that would've been nice. I was lucky it was warm and a nice day out.

I came in for a smog check and asked for Ravi. I asked him if i will pass my smog if my check engine light is on. He told me that it will fail. He offered to diagnose the issue at no cost. As it turned out to be a loose gas cap. He told me to drive about 100miles to reset the monitor and that is what happen. I drove about 80 miles and the check engine light was gone. Passed my Smog. I will thank Ravi for saving some $$$$.

I wrote the following review back on 10/19. It looks like it was removed. Can someone from Yelp tell me why? I have been using Palo Alto Shell for all my car service and repairs for the past 3 years. They are friendly, knowledgable and helpful. All the work has been done when promised or sooner and their prices are excellent. Kyle, the owner, takes great care if his customers and I wouldn't go anywhere else.

Similar to other folks here, I had a terrible experience with the auto repair shop. In short, everything the average joe fears about an auto repair shop is true about the scammers at Palo Alto Shell. I came in for a smog check and after 30 minutes, I was told that: (1) my car failed because the check engine light was on; (2) that they knew it would fail because if the check engine light is on the inspection always fails; (3) they did not bother to inform me before the check because it is not their responsibility; and (4) they would be happy to do a $110 diagnostic followed by work, and comp the cost of the smog check. When I asked why they did not tell me when seeing the light, they said they are a business and they would be out of business if they told everyone. I said I was a repeat customer (I had been there before for work), and the manager, Kyle, explicitly said that he did not value my business and he's not in this business to take care of customers. In fact, I did not need the $110 diagnostic. I went to 9-minute lube down the street (very reliable and friendly team) and they checked the computer diagnostic for free and fixed the simple problem of low coolant, for free as well. Kyle was very rude, telling me that it's my fault for not knowing how smog checks work and that I needed to educate myself, and that it was not his responsibility. I said that is true, but as a courtesy to customers, they could save them time and money, and through good business practices, build loyalty. He said he didn't need my business. I'm not sure if it was a personal attack or not, but his tone and demeanor was condescending and rude. For any service, I would rather push my car down the street than go back to Palo Alto Shell, if for free. I don't need that kind of treatment.

I pulled in here on a busy Saturday with a nail in my tire. I figured I would be told there was a wait and I was prepared to keep myself busy for however long. But, they told me to pull my car up to the service area and had my tire repaired in 10 minutes! Everyone was really nice and the price was awesome. I highly recommend them!