Summit City Car Care

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  • Intro
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  • Location
  • Reviews
  • +1 260-482-7711
  • www.summitcitycarcare.com
  • 2311 Crescent Ave, Fort Wayne, IN 46805, USA

Operating Hours

Monday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed

Summit City Car Care Introduce

For vehicle owners in Fort Wayne, Indiana, seeking comprehensive automotive services, Summit City Car Care, located at 2311 Crescent Ave, Fort Wayne, IN 46805, USA, operates as a full-service establishment within the Auto Repair Stations category. Having served the Fort Wayne community since 2002, this shop aims to provide a wide range of repairs and maintenance, with a stated priority on honesty, integrity, and keeping costs low without sacrificing quality.

Environment and Customer Philosophy

Summit City Car Care is committed to creating a welcoming and trustworthy environment for its customers. The shop's history indicates it has occupied its Crescent Ave location since 1919, having transitioned through various uses before becoming Summit City Car Care in 2002 under Patricia Bonecutter's ownership. Patricia's vision was to establish a safe space for women, ensuring all customers are treated with honesty and respect, embodying the "golden rule." This suggests a conscious effort to foster an environment of transparency and fairness, aiming to avoid the negative experiences some customers have had at other repair shops. The shop prides itself on its "transparent business model" and willingness to "answer any and all questions about your vehicle," even offering to "educate those who want to understand their vehicles problems more." This indicates a strong emphasis on customer education and open communication, designed to build trust. The overall atmosphere aims to be welcoming, suggesting that customers can expect a friendly and informative experience, even during potentially stressful repair situations.

Services and Goods for Sale

Summit City Car Care offers a comprehensive suite of automotive repair and maintenance services, positioning itself as a "full service car repair shop." Their offerings encompass a wide array of needs, including:

  • Oil Changes: Both regular and synthetic oil changes are available, with pricing for these services clearly listed.
  • Brake Services: Inspection and repair of braking systems to ensure safety and performance.
  • Tires: They provide both new and used tires, catering to various budgets and needs. This would typically include tire mounting, balancing, and rotation services.
  • Engine Services: Ranging from minor repairs to significant undertakings like engine replacements (including new and used engines available), addressing complex internal issues.
  • AC Services: Diagnosis and repair of air conditioning systems to ensure cabin comfort.
  • Specific Component Repairs: This includes addressing issues with lights, oxygen sensors, water pumps, timing chains, catalytic converters, mufflers, and fuel injection systems.
  • Suspension Services: General suspension repairs, including ball joints and tie rods, to maintain ride quality and vehicle handling.
  • Spark Plugs: Replacement and service of spark plugs for optimal engine combustion.
While they primarily offer services, the "goods for sale" are integrated into these services, such as new and used tires and engines, and various replacement parts required for repairs. Their extensive service list highlights their capability to handle a broad spectrum of automotive issues, making them a versatile choice for Fort Wayne residents.

Features and Customer Interaction

Summit City Car Care highlights several features that aim to set them apart:

  • Commitment to Honesty and Integrity: The shop explicitly states its business is run on "honesty and integrity," aiming to provide "honest work at honest prices." This foundational principle guides their approach to customer interactions and service delivery.
  • Knowledgeable and Professional Staff: Reviews, particularly one positive one, praise individuals like "Dave" and his crew for being "amazing" and "professional and personable." This suggests a team that is not only skilled in diagnostics and repair but also capable of clear and empathetic communication with customers. The fact that Dave "sourced a used part to cut my repair cost in half to fit my budget" demonstrates a willingness to go above and beyond to help customers financially.
  • Efficient Service: In one instance, a customer's car was "fixed by the next day" after breaking down, indicating a commitment to timely repairs when possible.
  • Customer Education: A unique feature is their stated desire to "educate those who want to understand their vehicles problems more," fostering a more informed customer base.

However, a significant negative review and the subsequent exchange with the owner reveal potential challenges in consistent service delivery and customer trust. The customer claims being "charged 3-4 times the market price for the parts" and excessive labor costs for a quick repair that ultimately didn't resolve the issue. The follow-up dispute over communication regarding a PCV valve issue and the initial diagnosis further complicates the perception of transparency. This particular interaction, where the customer felt overcharged and that the problem wasn't fixed, directly contradicts the shop's stated values of honesty and integrity. The difference in accounts regarding the initial diagnosis and recommended repairs highlights the importance of clear, documented communication to prevent misunderstandings and build trust.

Promotional Information

Summit City Car Care promotes its services through its core values and specific offerings. While explicit, time-limited promotional offers are not detailed in the provided reviews, their website lists several value-added services:

  • Competitive Pricing for Basic Services: They list clear prices for oil changes (Regular – $55, Synthetic – $80), making it easy for customers to understand costs upfront.
  • Free Inspections: They offer a "Free suspension and brake inspection with every oil change," which adds value and encourages comprehensive vehicle checks.
  • Emphasis on Trust and Transparency: The shop's commitment to "honesty and integrity" and being "mechanics you can trust" serves as a primary promotional message, aiming to attract customers seeking a reliable repair experience.
  • Local Business Support: They appeal to customers who wish to "support local business and your community."
For the most current promotions or to inquire about specific services and pricing, customers are encouraged to contact Summit City Car Care directly at (260) 482-7711 or +1 260-482-7711. Visiting their website or their location at 2311 Crescent Ave, Fort Wayne, IN, would also provide direct access to their team and current offerings, allowing customers to assess their suitability based on their own needs and priorities.

Summit City Car Care Photos

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Summit City Car Care Location

Summit City Car Care Customer Reviews

Dave was so professional and personable! I live 2 hours away, and he made it a point to help my daughter, who is a college student, get her car up and running! Thank you so much. Highly recommend!!

Jan 22, 2025 · Monica Lynch

I brought my 2020 chevy trax here because of turbo or engine issues. I got charged 3-4 times the market price for the parts. It took the mechanic about an hour or less to replace the parts and I got charged over 300 dollars for the labor. After he "fixed" the car, the codes have cleared but the car had the same symptoms as before. The next day, two of the same codes re-appeared (the codes disappeared the day before probably because the battery was disconnected and not because it was fixed) and one new code. And I didn't want to go back to that mechanic because he overcharged me and didn't fix the problem and I didn't trust him. I replaced PCV valve(with valve cover) myself and the car drives like normal. All the symptoms went away. It took me 2 hours and 35 dollars for the part. Don't go to this shop. Go somewhere else. My response to the owner's response: "Sorry your experience was bad we addressed the problems and sensors that were showing bad at the time and if the light came on a day after repair you should have called and we could have addressed that . This is the first we have heard of a issue and your repair was almost 30 days ago. And originally when you came in you wanted a turbo replacement which was not the issue at all . Boost sensor/ map sensor and mass air flow all had oil on them and we told you on pick up that pcv system was oily and it shouldn't be. That you may need other things looked at . Even showed you the oily sensors we changed to get positive readings on scanner. Sorry you feel your experience was bad. We try to be welcoming to our customers. Thank you and hope your days are bleassed!" I didn't call back because I didn't want to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars to an incompetent and dishonest mechanic. You're making things up here. I recorded the conversation. I listened to the recorded conversation and you didn't mention anything about PCV. In fact, when I asked you if there was any other issue, you said everything was fine, and that there isn't any issue with the car. Instead you said the cause of these codes is dirty oil. Then when I told you I bought it brand new and I changed oil every 4000 miles, you said it might just be how the engine was built. You never mentioned PCV in that conversation. I realized it's PCV that's the problem when I was cleaning the throttle body and found engine oil in it. You never said anything about PCV and you thought everything is fixed and there is no issue. And if you knew PCV needed to be serviced, you would've done it and you didn't. Your claims don't make sense. And I didn't ask for a turbo replacement. I was trying to find out the worst case cost for fixing the issue, and I told you that. That's why I agreed to pay 85 dollars for diagnosis. And on the pick up day, you said the charge for diagnosis is 125 instead of 85 which you nicely dropped from the total because I paid you over 1000 dollars for changing 3 sensors.

Dec 21, 2024 · Frank Yoo

Had a breakdown on the highway. Ended up getting towed and had to pick an Auto shop to help me out. Summit City was able to look at my car and get me fixed same day. I was expecting multiple days before getting my car back and I was expecting a bigger bill. The price and time frame were better than what I’m used to seeing and my car has been running great with no problems for a few days now. I will definitely be going back if I have issues with any other vehicles.

Mar 12, 2024 · Jacob Hoffman

Wow, do I regret choosing Summit City. I had exactly the same experience as the other negative reviewers here: My car left the shop in WORSE condition than when I brought it in. I took it in to get the intake manifold replaced, based on the evaluation of another mechanic. Dave quoted me $800, including a coolant flush and oil change. What a deal, right? The car was finished by the end of the day, but when I went to pay, he said it actually came to $1000 - an annoying surprise. When I started the car, I immediately noticed that it was idling roughly and vibrating the whole frame. I also heard a loud hissing - an air leak somewhere on the manifold. I was able to drive away, but the acceleration choked, as if the fuel mixture was off. I called Dave about it and sputtered back in the next morning. He did a cursory once-over, shrugged, and told me there was nothing he could do without taking it apart again (and charging more money). Now I’m left with a busted car and a $1000 hole in my pocket. What a scam artist. Stay far away.

May 14, 2024 · Peter Koeppen

I would HIGHLY recommend you do not take your vehicle to get it repaired here. Read this review and move on. Don't make the same mistake I did, you’ll end up costing yourself more money in the long run. After speaking with multiple people who have also used this shop, I know I am not the first person they have done this to! When I first started taking my car here everything was good. (Just for oil changes at first) Then ended up needing new brakes, rotors, and a caliper. As well as my check engine light coming on. For the check engine light, The guy said it was a bad thermostat. Replaced it, then the light came on again a few days later. Took it back, he said it was the sensor, so I paid to replace it. Few days later, light comes back on and my temp gauge starts fluctuating constantly. Took it back, THIS MAN TOLD ME IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH MY ENGINE COMPUTER. I took it to a Hyundai repair shop in which they told me I had a coolant leak. Took it back to this place for him to fix the issue the right way knowing what the problem was and the guy all of a sudden found the leak and said he fixed it. Fast forward another week later and same freaking thing happens!!! Finally took it to someone else in which they found he put black - sealant like stuff on the tube in place of an o ring that was causing it to leak probably the whole time. Not to mention I paid for oil changes I don’t believe he even did (took it somewhere else for an oil change 3,000 miles after he “supposedly” changed it and they told me I should’ve came in way before I did with how dirty my oil and filter were) I got new brake calipers and brake lines that he replaced and he not only didn't do a brake flush, he left the brake fluid right at the “low” level.

Apr 12, 2024 · Destiny Stinson