Palo Alto Auto Repair

Good for late night gas, and cheap smokes also has a service station that my job takes all its company vehicles to...with no complaints I just got the free service inspection ticket for checking in through yelp imma try it out next week for my new car, ill give a review afterwards.

Smog Inspection: 5/5 Professional service, fast, and cheap with the Stanford coupon discount (~$38 instead of $60+ around here). Vehicle Inspection/Check up: 1/5 The mechanic gave me a list that totaled around $2000 in repairs for my car when it was perfectly fine (had a few other mechanics check the car to make sure). Seems like they are trying to use a scare tactic to bring in more revenue. I suggest if you want to do an oil service or vehicle check up, go to a more reputable mechanic to do the job. I thought it was sketchy that the Stanford coupon gave a free under-the-hood car inspection from these guys. I even asked for the full inspection for $20. Maybe this is a way to make those time spent worthwhile. Bottom line -- you get what you pay for!

Took the car in for a CEL on a Saturday. They were a bit busy, so they told me it could take a while. They quoted me $110, which seems to be fairly high even in the Palo Alto area. They called me about 4 hours later with the diagnosis (catalytic converter problem). I was told that replacing the catalytic converter is an expensive operation, so I should wait and see whether the problem reoccurs. They cleared the CEL. It came back on 3 weeks later. I appreciate that they were able to service me even on a busy Saturday, but $110 for a CEL seems excessive.

I got a smog check here the other day. Overall, it was a pretty smooth process and the Stanford coupon ($30 off smog check) makes it only $37, which I understand is a very good price. You need an appointment for the smog check, but when I called them the day before my appointment at the DMV to register my car, they were able to get me one after 5 pm on the same day. The guys helping me were really nice, the smog check went fine (my car passed) and the price was right, so overall it was a good experience. My two complaints are: 1. It took an awfully long time. I'm not sure how long these things normally take but I was there about 45 minutes which seems long to me. They also don't have a great waiting area. There's a bench but it's in the sun (although one of the guys dragged over an umbrella for me to make it shaded) and then there's a tiny convenience store but that doesn't have any seating and I don't think you're really encouraged to hang out there. I did though, because it was really hot that day. 2. They fiddled with the steering wheel position. When I got in my car it seemed like they had really tilted the steering wheel back and it was so uncomfortable for me to drive it that way but I couldn't figure out to adjust it. When I got back to work I called them and asked them what they had done with it and they swore they didn't touch it and they just adjusted the seat. I started to think I was going crazy. Today I looked online and figured out how to rotate the steering wheel (its the lever that's...on the steering wheel, duh) and got it back much closer to where it was before, so its all good. But they definitely moved it! I'm not sure why.

Convenient location, right down the street ish from work. It's SUPER busy all the time. I mean SUPER busy. Especially at lunch time and rush hour. Expect to wait and people are kinda rude. Prices are higher than other gas stations in area, which sucks, but I guess because it's convenient I'm willing to pay the extra cash-o-la. The pumps are easy to use and it's usually pretty fast to get in and out once your in. People fly on the El Camino though, so be for-warned. Overall, an A-OK kind of gas station. Wish it wasn't so expensive and busy, but I guess I should expect it being that it's in Palo Alto. I'll continue to return because it's close by.

I've had two flat tires fixed here and both times the people were friendly but all-business. They get you in and get you out - no-nonsense style.

I came here for a smog check a couple weeks ago. The man who rang me up and gave me my paperwork was really nice and personable. They also have a $20 off coupon you print from their website, which makes the whole thing about $40, $50ish with tax. If you have the Stanford student coupon book, there's a $30 off coupon (which I found AFTER my smog check, doh.). The guy broke down the different numbers that are on the smog check report, which was helpful. And told me that my brakes were in good shape. caveat: I'm not actually sure what's a normal price for smog checks in the South Bay, I mostly came here because it was close to my apartment.

I got a great price and quality work with a wheel alignment for my VW. They were pleasant, honest and followed through. They let me know about things to watch out for that will eventually need to be replaced, but were very honest and were not trying to up-sell me. I trust them and will go back again.

Great service. Had some trouble with the car battery in my Acura, and the owner Kyle was incredibly helpful in fixing the problem. Highly recommended.

I wish there were NEGATIVE (!) ONE OR EVEN NEGATIVE FIVE. I'd gladly assign it to this dump. This gas station is a FRAUD. The gas pumps (at least pump #3 which i used) starts pumping air !!! and charging you even before you put the "pistol" into you gas tank. I encountered it with pump #3 and brought up with the attendent. At first he didn't believe me, but then talked to the "owner" and agreed to refund the FRAUD charge. Guess what - the charge is still on my credit card. COMPLETE DISRESPECT TO CUSTOMERS!!! Of course, I' won't drive back there to get less than a dollar they charged me literally NOTHING. Btw, the seals on the pumps look FAKE and there is no sign telling where to report a problem with a pump. I live in San Francisco and work in Palo Alto. In SF the seals are stickers on the edge of the pump insuring that tehy can't be tempered with. Stamps at this station look like paint-printed on the pump. I understand that Shell is a francise, but they need to look who they issue permits and what it does to their image. It's not worth to dispute with a credit card, but I'm definitely reporting to Shell and Palo Alto officials !!!