Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Center

I went to Tuffy Winter Springs (Red Bug Lake Road) because I live in the area and haven’t heard many reviews about it, so I decided to give it a shot. The problem I was having with my vehicle was a high pitched squealing noise from the engine. Thinking it was the serpentine belt, I changed it on my own however that didn’t correct the issue, so I thought a professional would be able to diagnose it better. I arrived at Tuffy and the employee said it would cost $ 90.00 to diagnose the issue. Upon agreeing, I left the vehicle there for them to diagnose the erratic noise. Approximately two hours later, I received a phone call saying I needed an abundance of things totaling $ 1400.00. After hearing the list, I could perform most jobs on my own. But the main issue was the pulley and tensioner which was causing the squealing according the tech. I gave my consent to replace the pulley and tensioner and arrived the next day to pick up my vehicle. The manager (Jay) provided me the keys and I paid for the bill ($ 310.00). He said the problem «should» be fixed. Once turning the key to the car, the noise surprisingly was still there. I walked back inside to show the manager (Jay) and he came out and obviously heard the squealing. He called the tech over who worked on my vehicle and the tech didn’t hear anything! He said «I can’t hear high pitched noises» What!!! It made no sense. They then recommended a new serpentine belt. Like I had mentioned earlier, I had replaced it days (2 days to be exact) prior to bringing it in. The tech said it’s the brand of the belt I had just purchased and I needed a new brand. The tech told me I should get my money back for the serpentine belt and then hopped in his car, drove to the same auto shop I had bought the belt from and got a new one (another brand, I assume) once he returned back to Tuffy, he put on the new belt he had just replaced for me and of course… the noise, still there. They then diagnosed the issue as a Camshaft Positioning Synchronizer. The manager (Jay) said «leave the car with me and we will fix it.» I decided to leave the vehicle there for another day so they could finely fix the original issue I brought in the car for.
I called the shop a few hours later to check on the progress and the manager (Jay) stated the problem was fixed and that it was in fact the Camshaft Synchronizer. I asked how much this costs and he said approximately $ 250.00 but I won’t’ charge you for it. Of course you’re not going to charge me, because I just paid $ 310.00 for something that you diagnosed was the issue, which didn’t even fix the problem!
I arrived the next day to pick up my vehicle and wanted the compensation for the $ 60.00 for the difference in price for the pulley and the Camshaft. The manager (Jay) said, well I still needed the pulleys. Keep in mind this is a 2002 Ford Mustang with 45,000 miles (yes I said that right a ’02 with 45,000 miles). But «I still needed the pulleys». The manager (Jay) then frustratingly stated, you’re getting a new part for free and my guy had to use his own gas and money to go get a new serpentine belt! I didn’t even need the serpentine belt and he went to the same store I did and assumingly got the same belt I did! Jay further stated «well I can just put the old pulleys on and you can pay for the Camshaft.» I immediately agreed since the new pulleys didn’t fix the problem, he said «well I gotta do this work order on it». As I was waiting for his «work order» he looked at me and said «What do you want bro!» I said again, something to supplement the difference in pricing since you replaced something I didn’t need and you misdiagnosed my vehicle. He said again, «Well, what do you want then bro!» and raised his voice at me. Exasperated, I said even an oil change would suffice, in which he reluctantly signed a card and I accepted.
The Camshaft did fix the problem, I should add and not the pulleys. I highly DO NOT recommend this place to anyone with a car issue. Not only because of the extreme amount of unprofessionalism behind the counter but that they didn’t even diagnose my vehicle correctly and then proceeded to give my vehicle back with an obnoxious noise because the tech «didn’t hear it».
Please stay away for your own good, and look somewhere else down Red Bug Road, I’m sure you’ll find a friendlier more affordable place.

I got a groupon coupon for Synthetic Oil change and a tire rotation. I also pointed out that the CHECK ENGINE light was lit and they it was a p0446 error (some sensor or vacuum issue around gas tank). Well they said they needed to connect it to smoke machine and check it out. Fair enough. I left car there Friday. I get a call Saturday or Sunday that I got a bad gas cap. So I go online and buy an OEM gascap for my car. Monday I pick up my vehicle and was charged $ 91 for diagnostic. A day later the engine light lit and it was a p0446, I reset it as I thought they forget to reset it. 2 days later same thing. Not even 100 miles on my car. I call them and tell them same (not even 100 miles and already reset the check engine light). They tell me «we found nothing, bring it to a dealership». I asked if I can get my money back because of the false diagnostic. «No but we can work something out» was the response. I cant trust them. What if I had major car repair done and paid big bucks and it malfunctioned within 100 miles? Image getting the same answer? I have another coupon for my other vehicle. I’ll just eat up what I paid for it.

Went in for an oil change, brake inspection and tire rotation and was pleasantly surprised with the results. The only problem I had was the time. I scheduled my appointment for 3 and decided to wait since it was only supposed to take about an hour. I ended up leaving a little after 5. Other than that no problems. I look forward to doing business with them in the future. I would recommend checking if Groupon has a deal before consulting anyone.

If Unilocal would allow me to give minus stars I definitely would. This is not a car shop, this is a scam shop. We took our car and were told that computers needed to be replaced. They charged 871 bucks and never found the issue. I had to take my car to another shop where I was told the whole problem was a blown fuse, and that cables had been cut… a disaster which is still costing me money. STAY AWAY FROM THIS PLACE.

My first time here was a near-​perfect experience — I went in for their oil change/​tire rotation special for $ 19.99. Everyone there was wonderful but that was three years ago. Every time since has been a little worse. I’ve been in several times and had to wait forever to even get in. And once I’m in they are in a rush to get me out. The final straw was this past Saturday at 10am: I went in for another oil change and was told they were all booked up all weekend! Try Monday. How is that even possible!?!
I immediately went over to the Longwood location on 434 that not only took me right away but did a much much better job. The guys there are so friendly and actually wanted my $ 19.99. Sorry, Winter Springs, but you won’t have to worry about fitting me in to your busy schedule anymore ;-)

The manager has a very poor attitude. My engine light came on after leaving this place and the code was for exactly what I had paid this place to fix — they never did it and he refused to make it right. We took it to two different mechanics who told us that it was either not done or not done right. The manager told my husband that he didn’t know what he was talking about and told him to «get out». Never ever again. They need to be reported to Better Business Bureau so that will be my next stop.

(This location’s address is actually Winter Springs not Winter Park)
I went in on a Tuesday afternoon b/​c they had a $ 19.99 oil change special and they told me it would be a two hour wait… umm ain’t nobody got time for that! They told me the only available appointment that week was Thursday at 11am (did all of their mechanics win Powerball and quit?!) since I have a JOB, 11am was not going to work. Then he suggested I just drop off my car on Saturday morning and pick it up in the afternoon, also inconvenient. The next day I went to Midas (same $ 19.99 oil change special) and they took care of me right away w/​no issue. Note to Tuffy, you only get one chance w/​customers, blow it and they’ll go to your competitors.

Spent over $ 150.00 for a valve gasket replacement, it had been leaking oil. Well after that work was done the car still leaked oil. I figured it was something else leaking and lived with it. I recently decided to change the gasket myself as I had done it before just didn’t want to do it the last time myself. As I was removing the 4 nuts that hold the valve cover in place I found that 2 of the 4 nuts were finger tight. They should have been torqued at 15 foot pounds.
I decided to replace the gasket anyway because I did not trust the one that was replaced. It cost me 10 bucks to do and about 1 hour of my time. I now have no leaks.
The reason I started to do repairs myself is because of issues like this. You expect the expensive repairs to be done right. But lately I doubt just about any work I farm out for most places. Always check your repairs, specifically oil changes, places forget to put oil in at times.
I use the Tuffys franchise for many of the repairs I can not do myself. I have a ⁶⁰⁄₄₀ track record with this organization over all. It’s convient to go to, but I am starting to doubt their abilities.
You have to really check any work that is done before you leave. I only have them do work that I can actually see was done.

This location does a really good job with simple routine maintenance work. I’ve taken my car in for oil changes and tune-​ups and they do an excellent job and have great customer service. They are usually pretty fast too, which is important when you don’t have your car.
I recently took my wife’s car in for new tires. They didn’t have her size tiers in stock but they ordered them and had them the next day. Even after the special order they were cheaper than any other place I called. Not only did I get out of there for a few bucks cheaper, they delivered it with a smile. This is a chain so I’m sure every location is different depending on the management and employees. Whatever they are doing at this location, they are doing it right.

Compared going to the actual dealership where costs are crazy high, this Tuffy is an excellent alternative.
The staff is super friendly. Everybody from the manager, JR, and also the mechanics, including Cesar, very friendly staff willing to answer questions, give you the run down and explain things in a calm manner.
To give you an example, when I picked up my car yesterday I drove no more than 300-​yards down the road and every time I accelerated, I heard water sloshing around in the engine area. Since they told me some parts had been replaced related to the cooling and heating pump, I thought it was that. So turned around and went back. Both the mechanic and manager instantly came out as I explained what was up. Cesar the mechanic got in with me and drove around a little so he could listen and see what was up. Turns out they had washed down my engine and it was residual water sloshing around … nothing wrong. They fixed what was wrong and car was as brand as new.
And for being a franchise, you can tell the manager takes care of his establishment. When I picked up my car he was painting some walls to make the environment look neater, nicer and more put together! The waiting room, nice size and a good TV to keep you entertained if you’re waiting.
An excellent location to take your car if anything might be wrong with it.

That was the fastest I’ve ever been in and out of an automotive shop! I ran in asking how fast they could get me a fresh headlight bulb, and I was out of there about 20 minutes later, AND they had to get the bulb from elsewhere! Go speed go! :) Didn’t hurt that the guy helping me was very friendly and seemed to appreciate my awful car joke. I’m headed back for an oil change, I’m pretty impressed so far.