Campus Valero Service

Tried to have a tire repaired here, and was quoted $ 38 for the repair.
Without asking me where the hole was, they kept my vehicle for a half day, removed the tire to inspect, and then told me it was unrepairable. They charged me $ 35 for this information, and put the unrepairable tire back on my car.
They then quoted me 2 new tires for $ 480 (surely a ludicrous price).
Asking why they would put an unrepairable tire back on my car, and if they could instead put on the donut, I was told this would be an additional $ 35 charge! So, I began to put the donut on myself, and was stopped. The owner told me that I was not allowed to put on a donut in their parking lot and that I would have to «roll my car» over to another parking lot to do this work.
After running from this place, I went to America’s Tire. They looked at my tire for free, told me within 2 minutes that it could not be repaired, tightened the nuts on my donut with a power tool for free to make sure it was safe to drive, and ordered a single new replacement tire for $ 174 out-​the-​door.
My advice: stay far, far away from this campus service station! The rudeness is a good indication that they take their customers for granted.

I have brought my car here twice, and both times Kurt was very professional and very honest. I have an older car, and before he made recommendations on what to fix he asked alot of questions to see if I was planning on looking for a new car anytime soon, how many miles I planned to drive daily, etc.
He went through the laundry list of things wrong with the car, but helped me decide which items were vital to repair at the time and what could wait. I felt really comfortable and confident in his recommendations. Along with that, the same family have owned that shop for over 20 years, and that really says something.

If you see that woman then please tell her that people who have trouble sometimes still can choose. This time you’re lucky to have the business doesn’t mean that next time your business to survive. $ 40 — to repair a tire but need to have a car for the entire afternoon .this is ridiculous. People see that there are no car lining up for y’all. This is a gas station I do not recommend but if emergency go because you don’t have a choice

These guys can do all the basic work but expect to be nickeled and dimed for everything. Paid 70 for an oil change which is fine but they wanted an extra 50 for a tire rotation. Surprised they didn’t try charging me for air! They also said I didn’t need a tire rotation when I know I needed one. Don’t sacrifice convenience for poor service!!!

I think this business stays open simply by virtue of being close for students because their service has been really awful the few times I’ve been there. Cashiers have seemed visibly annoyed to ring me up every time I’ve been there and I recently saw a female staffer (I believe the manager) literally yelling at a customer. It was incredibly awkward and I felt awful for the man she was chewing out. I will not be going back.

The people at Stanford’s Valero Campus Service have always gone out of their way to service my vehicle. They are very responsive and diligent with their work. I never had to bring my vehicle back because something wasn’t fixed correctly. Chris (one of the mechanics) was also able and willing to fix my son’s wheelchair while my son stayed in the car! Kurt has also come to my rescue many times. Kurt specifically was able to fix a mechanism that locks my son’s wheelchair into the car securely-​a very unusual request that I’m sure many mechanics would not have been able to accomplish (or even try). Ester, the manager has also gone the extra mile by giving me a lift back to pick up my car as my knee was in bad shape. They also were able to order parts and fix the ramp to my accessible van after a minor fender bender. They service my vehicle with oil changes and air-​quality testing as well.
I have been very happy with everything that they have done to my car. The service that I received is outstanding. Five Star Rating

Rudest staff – seriously. Credit card machine not working; one Diesel pump is busted. This mechanic and the folks who own it – don’t know who the woman is – are all super disrespectful and short-​tempered.

Too expensive and the mechanic does not know how to fix the car.

Brought my vehicle in for a service estimate. Advised that water pump needed replacement along with several hoses that were «brittle.» Quoted $ 800 for work. Advised that car would most likely breakdown within 20 miles. Elected to drive home and told to add fluids every 100 miles. Sold $ 50 (2 bottles) in concentrated fluids. Made 700 mile drive home without needing to add any fluids (stopped every 100 miles to check). Took vehicle to regular mechanic. Water pump was replaced and informed hoses were fine. Paid $ 320. So buyer beware.

This gas station is conveniently located on Stanford campus. (Campus drive near the graduate school of business). It is a little more expensive than other gas stations in the area, but you are paying for the convenience.
Because it closes at night, be sure to be aware when it’s available.

This is the gas station located on Stanford’s campus.
This makes it the most convenient place for students to gas up, fix up or buy some ciggies.

The mechanic here is really thorough and does a great job. I took my Chevy Colorado here last year to have my brakes looked at. I had a less than mediocre brake job from another mechanic and needed it all re-​done. Their mechanic Kurt did his research and learned as much about my vehicle as he could to make the appropriate repairs. He communicated and updated me regularly, I work close by so he was able to show me what they had to repair. I returned a couple of times because the brakes started to squeak prematurely. He was able to make adjustments free of charge for me. It seemed to be a chronic problem and I knew how involved of a brake job this vehicle requires. The fact that Kurt regularly made same day inspections and adjustments on the fly give this place a good review. The fact that he did more research when I had to return those couple of times and he found repair bulletins specific to my vehicle noting common problems reported and observed by GM give this 5 stars. I will likely go back here to purchase and install upgraded brake rotors based on the info we discussed.

Over the past 18 years of driving I have worked on my own vehicles and occasionally used shops for specialty work. Since starting graduate school working on the car is not an option. Based on that background, I recommend Kurt and Joe as mechanics of mechanics. These guys work on everything from antiquated 1950’s flat heads to new cars, and of every make and model. They do everything from engine replacement to tire alignment; with the ability to cover this domain, it is clear both of them could have been Stanford mechanical engineers if they had wanted. My car has 410,000k miles and once a year it is in their shop 100% nonfunctional with instructions that if they cannot fix it I am buying a new car; they have yet to fail. On top of their commitment as professionals they will talk shop and answer abstract conceptual questions that most would give strange looks at. Kurt and Joe are genuinely good people that care about the person driving the car. Ask them about their life and their families and you will find they are real people. Holistic automotive care is not common.

I have used the campus gas station off and on for a number of years and right now I feel very comfortable bringing my car in for service with Kurt. When you take it to a service that knows your car and understands that you are a total dodo bird when it comes to car maintenance, it’s good to have someone who knows your car and the person who brings the car in for service as well. Friendly, understanding and honest. In this day and age, it is a nice combination.