Elmhurst Auto Clinic

I got my AC checked out. I had to pay $ 40 just to check my AC. I was informed I needed $ 400 worth of work which didn’t include the $ 40. I declined the work. I went to a different t local and paid $ 240. All I needed was a recharge and to clean out the AC.

We all know how it goes. No One trusts a car mechanic and every time they tell you that «you should probably get this done» or «you NEED this done before it leaves my lot» you immediately get a bad feeling that they are screwing you over. BUT that is NOT the case here!
These guys were as professional as it gets! I told them the issues I thought the vehicle had (I barely know anything about cars but i always figure might as well let them know what I think) and they immediately confirmed the issues.
I needed new control arms and tie rod in my ’08 Dodge Caliber and I had break issues (grinding breaks, yay!) I figured My car would be out of commisison for the weekend. But I dropped it off at 7AM and they called me at noon and told me it was done! They rocked it!
Car feels better than ever and they thoroughly explained all the work they did.
Need car work? Get it done here.

I recently revisited Elmhurst Auto Clinic for a rattle in my car, and had a great experience! I had not been in several years. The staff was courteous and professional, and the mechanic came out to explain the issue before initiating any repairs, and he let me know how much the part was and the labor, and the estimated time I would take (same afternoon, very reasonable price).
I will definitely return for future service needs, and if you have not checked them out (or haven’t in awhile), I recommend you do!

I have been taking my family’s cars to Elmhurst Auto Clinic for over 10 years now. While I mostly go there for oil changes, I have also had significant work done there, such as brakes, exhaust systems, water pumps, etc. I started going there because I like to patronize small, family-​owned businesses – and, it is this reason that has kept me going back.
I am writing this review to confirm other reviewers reports of verbal abuse. This place is NOT customer friendly what-​so-​ever! If you are the type of customer who drops off your keys and asks no questions, you will not have a problem. BUT, if you dare to ask a question, they will bite your head off.
The last repair I had there cost over $ 1000. They recognize me as a long-​time customer and even commented on how they appreciate my loyalty; however, that didn’t stop them from ripping me out a new one when I asked a few questions about this expensive repair.
Over the years, I have joked about how cranky these men are. Before recommending them, I always warn that they are an angry group of men but they do high-​quality work. I no longer feel that way.
I am done with this company. I will never go back. Do yourself a favor and go to another repair shop that has better reviews. It will only be a matter of time before they turn on you, too.

I‘ve been taking my car here for all sorts of repairs, maintenance, and tires over the years. No complaints as far as quality of service. However, they recently told me i was in for some front end repair which, it turns out (after TWO independent second opinions by qualified mechanics), turned out to be unnecessary. I‘ve heard and read about similar stories from others. I‘m glad I got 2^nd and 3^rd opinions. Saved me $ 500. Buyer beware.

I was there only one time
they want me to wait 3 h for oil change
Come on simple oil change take you so long ??
Good luck to you ;-)

I have been going to these guys for a few years and am starting to see a poor trend.
Initially, the convenience of the shop was what drew me in (10 min walk when i drop my car off). Now i see convenience isnt worth the hassle .
From oil changes to serpentine belt to brakes to alignments, we had a lot of different jobs done on our 2002 acura mdx (now sold) and 2000 mercedes clk. The price are extremely competitive but here is where you must be careful, since fixing a poor initial job will ultimately cost you more.
The oil changes were decent (really how hard are they to perform). But the last one they botched by installing the filter incorrectly, slowly over the course of the next month oil dripped onto my garage floor until I took the car to International autobody on Lake, thinking it was a faulty gasket. That cost me $ 100 in clean up.
When i came in to change the brakes for the second time on my acura, the guy (the owner) in charge tells me that «who ever installed the last brakes installed the wrong type»… Little did he know that it was his shop that did the work.
Over all, the work is average at best but the prices are competitive.

No matter how you slice it $ 25 for an oil change is a pretty decent deal nowadays, but when it comes as convenient as Elmurst Auto Clinic was to me it’s icing on top of the cake.
I had a meeting about a block away and rather than finding street parking I pulled up, dropped off, and an hour later after my meeting had killed two birds with one stone. The service was friendly there was virtually no wait and again the price was definitely right.
I probably wouldn’t drive out to Elmhurst just to get my oil changed, but since I was there I gotta give credit where it was due.

Car maintenance… not my strong suit.
If something in my car starts rattling, dinging, humming, I just turn the music up till I can’t hear it.
If I see that the ‘check engine’ light is on, I deal with it by staring directly into it with fierce disdain then ignoring it for however long it stays on until the bulb behind it burns out. So far, it’s been pretty effective.
I just feel like every time I’ve ever gone to have my ride serviced, it’s been either a total waste of time (some computer chip just needs to be reset) or a total pain in the ass. But not here. $ 24.95 for a no muss, no fuss oil change on my hoop-​dee.
Never in my life have I had such a stress-​free, wallet-​friendly, automotive-​maintenance experience.
After a co-​worker mentioned he’d dropped his car off here before our lunch for an oil change, I thought about how I still had an hour + until my next meeting in the area and about how I was pretty sure I was due for an oil change an undisclosed number of months ago.
I waited a few minutes so I could be sure my co-​worker had left and we wouldn’t have to make any further forced conversation, then entered to be greeted by the overwhelming smell of fresh tires (which I really kind of like). I waited for maybe 30 seconds, nothing big, and a man came right out to answer my questions, which consisted of, «Can I get an oil change?,» «Can I use your bathroom?», and «Can I have my keys back? I forgot everything I need in my car.»
I would suggest going to the bathroom anywhere else in the area. This is definitely a garage bathroom, not really meant for the public, but that’s okay. There’s plenty of cute place to visit in the area.
My car was ready after about 45 minutes but I was in a meeting and the shop folks were kind enough to let me leave my ride there for several hours. When I came back, I had no idea what to expect for price… just kind of hoped they wouldn’t try to gouge or rip me off like what’s happened 95% of the times I’ve gone to any chain places. My total here: $ 24.95. I was shocked. It’s like half the price of those big box lube locations and these guys didn’t try to sell me any stupid air filters or $ 40 lightbulbs like the rest. Just the basics and no bones about it.
I left thinking they’d surely given me some kind of ‘Yay! You wore make-​up.’ discount, and wanted to rub the low, low price they was charged me in my co-​workers face… only he was charged that very same low, low price of $ 24.95. Ah well. I might not have gotten a special discount but I did save some scratch and that’s good enough or me.

I saw an add in the local paper for an oil change at 20.95. That’s cheap. Went ahead and had the fuel filter changed while it was up on rack. As I was waiting I looked them up on Unilocal and the reviews were not to favorable from others. I didnt have a problem there but reviews will keep me from any major work and stick with the occasional oil change in a pinch.

This has been my go– to auto shop for 10+ years! I started coming here while I was a student at Elmhurst College and drove a Ford Escort and was a return customer as soon as the warranty on my Volvo expired. I get an oil change here every 3 months for under $ 25 and it’s always done in 45 minutes or less. They have the best prices around for brakes, new tires, etc. They have relationships with the local dealerships and will gladly drive over to the Volvo in Lisle to pick up a part while my car is being worked on.
This is a family owned business and it is always nice to see the same faces. I like that I have a shop that I can trust and when I am short on cash they will let me know what I need done now and what can wait. At my last oil change they gave me advance notice that I would need a new air filter at my next oil change… not a pricey item, but still nice to have the advance notice!
They also have a courtesy shuttle and the driver will drop you off at work or home (if you are in the Elmhurst area) if your car needs a repair that will require it to be there for the day.
Also located right in downtown Elmhurst! You can walk over to Starbucks or Heavenly Cupcake or a number of other places while you wait!
Barry, Chris and Drew… thank you for always taking good care of my car!

The most dishonest business I’ve ever experienced — and they’re not even clever with their deceit. While I don’t advocate violence, I sure felt like b_​tchslapping a couple guys on the way out. STAY AWAY!!! I asked them to replace a thermostat — period. They start telling me I have no idea what I’m talking about (probably because it’s a really cheap part). They call me and tell me I have a leaky this and that — BULL S_​_​_​! They got mad that I wouldn’t spend hundreds on these imaginary repairs. There’s a special place in Hell for establishments like this, seriously

I went to Elmhurst Auto Clinic because my car battery was dead due to lack of use of the vehicle over the winter. When I finally got the car jumped and got it to the shop to replace the battery I was also told that I needed a new alternator and the ineffective alternator currently in my car was the real cause for my battery drainage. I was told the output of the alternator was below what is should be (was it was below 12). They quoted me $ 400 to replace the alternator and another $ 100 for the battery. I asked them to only replace the battery as I wanted to get quotes from other mechanics for the alternators. Later that day I took my vehicle to two other mechanics in the area and they both tested my alternator before giving me quotes. Both mechanics actually showed me the test they performing and the actual output numbers from the alternator from the machines they were using. The end result was that the alternator was fine and was showing healthy output numbers (over 14) and the alternator did not need to be replaced. Elmhurst Auto Clinic has a reputation in the neighborhood of telling people that more needs to be replaced in their vehicles and than what the reality is. Advice: go there for small jobs that you know you need. DO NOT listen to them when they tell you that you need other items replaced that will end up costing you much more than you originally came in for. If you are concerned about the part/​issue they tell you, take your vehicle to at least one other shop for inspection.

Is it possible to give a review of negative stars? The basic idea with this place is to avoid it like the plague. I took my boyfriends vehicle there with a tire problem while we were in town working an art show and the two men in the office, one seemed like the owner, were sexist, tried to rip me off, and personally attacked myself and my boyfriend.
Before I even had them look at the tire the «owner» directly implied I wouldn’t know what year the vehicle was because I was a woman. Then upon seeing the tire they tried to convince me it couldn’t be repaired and should be replaced. When I decided not to have it repaired there they started telling me my boyfriend was an F*cking idot, I should break up with him, that I was putting people at danger and they «hated people like me.» The insults went on and on. I have never experienced such verbal abuse.
When they finally gave me back my keys they blocked me in so I couldn’t leave. They left me sitting in my car for about 10 min. When we took the car to a different place they had no problem fixing the tire and it has been fine. Not to mention the price they quoted me for a tire was outrageously expensive, much more then I could get it somewhere else.
These people were jerks, I would never go back there and because of my service have considered reporting them to the BBB.

I took our cars to the Elmhurst Auto Clinic several times. Pricing seemed right and service was decent; but they always found more work to do. Surprise!
I did not think much of it until my local Ford Dealer happened to diagnose a problem that Elmhurst Auto Clinic had supposedly already fixed. The dealer assured me no work had previously been performed, and ended up uncovering some other botched repairs. Caveat Emptor!