Kenvil & Lake Hopatcong Auto Repair

If you feel like you’ve been burned by an auto repair shop in the past, you’re in good company.  Some surveys suggest that as many as 3 out of 4 people feel like they have been overcharged for auto repairs or worry about being overcharged for services they may not even need.  As with most things in life, knowledge is power, so the more you know the less likely you are to be targeted for overcharging.  Here’s a helpful guide to answer the question: how do you know if an auto shop is legit? Signs That an Auto Shop is Legit Honest, forthright auto shop owners and technicians tend to exhibit similar actions, accolades, and business practices. They include: Ethical Auto Repair Shops Will Provide Written Estimates Shops need time to properly inspect your car in order to provide a written estimate so steer clear of shops that resist quoting you an estimate. Trustworthy Shops Will Have the Receipts to Prove Dedication to Their Craft Trustworthy auto repai ... read more

2017 Ford Fusion with multiple different electronic issues, from lights and dashboard not working, radio acting weird, and many little random glitches that don't add up. Our technician was able to diagnose the issue and deemed it to be CAN bus-related. These issues are normally very difficult to diagnose or even impossible for some without proper training and experience.     These days, all modern vehicles, from conventional combustion-powered cars to the latest EVs, feature a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus. It's the electronic communication system that lets everything  be able to talk to each other including the engine, transmission, body control, and even brakes. It works the same way a computer communicates with its own parts, with 0's and 1's. Literally, multiple pulses or pauses  of electricity (0110101001) just like Morse code. Computers are ab ... read more

Fuel Saving Tips: Here in New Jersey, we are no exception to the price of fuel rising every day. We know that making every gallon count is on everyone's minds. There are some services that we offer that can help you extend those fill-ups and possibly save you some money. When it comes to your tire inflation, nitrogen is a larger molecule than the molecules in the air which in turn makes it much less prone to leaking. Keeping the correct amount of PSI in your tires makes the vehicle roll effortlessly and efficiently. When the PSI is low the tires do not perform to their capacity and it's equivalent to trying to run in the sand.   A fuel injection cleaning is a vital part of vehicle maintenance, a clean injector atomizes the fuel into a fine mist which makes for complete combustion equaling maximum power and fuel mileage. Injectors easily get dirty from contaminants in the fuel and carbon build-up from combustion making poor atomization of the ... read more

In the winter of 2021 Automotive magic will begin a new apprenticeship program. This program combines online learning through the National Automotive Parts Association (NAPA) training center, Automotive Training Institute (ATI) and on the job learning at Automotive Magic.  Getting paid while learning at the same time is just one of the advantages of this program. This 18 to 24 month program has nine stages and occurs at no expense to the student. As the student progresses through the program at Automotive Magic, the student receives additional compensation as an incentive to progress from one stage to the next.      Automotive Magic’s apprentices will get tools needed to work in the trade in addition to getting paid. When the apprentice graduates from the program, they get to keep the provided tool kit that is required for any mechanic. This program is certified by the US Department of Labor and the graduate will receive a diploma-like certificate acknowled ... read more

What to do? There are so many deals going on right now for new vehicles it’s pretty tempting to go ahead and make the plunge into buying a new vehicle.           The cash for clunkers offer seems to have reinvented itself in our area. Trying to convince those of us driving older vehicles to get them off the road and put the new ones on it.  Getting some cash in your pocket in return for them removing what seems to be a headache now may seem like a win/win situation.       Buying New Committing yourself to nearly a decade of payments for a new vehicle could be an option you are willing to make. There can be an uncomfortable amount of stress tied to either of these options. Getting some professional guidance along your journey might take some of the weight off of your shoulders. There are a lot of things to consider when you are making these decisions. The new car smell of the interior, the shiny new paint job. It&rsq ... read more

Where the rubber meets the road   For our customers, our family and our friends.  Your safety and your families safety is always our first and foremost priority.  Auto repairs can be inconvenient and costly and not always the top of your list of Have to’s - The safety portion well yes, they fall into the inconvenient and costly category, but it is absolutely our priority. Your well being is riding on it.  Yes, there is maintenance upkeep and investments in the long term care of your car, but the safety stuff, there’s no price that should be put on that.  So, as an absolute must, top of the list, no fooling around here are the basics:   Tires And Brakes Absolutely the top two, We can’t even say one is more important than the other.  Because if you have good tires and the brakes are shot.. Whamo! Bad news, and if your brakes are in excellent condition and your tires are bald.. Bad, just bad!    Tire ... read more

ROUTINE MAINTENANCE   Taking care of your car and getting routine maintenance and repairs on it is definitely like going to the doctors. In the respect that if you don’t take care of your body, it’s not going to work the way it should. Same for your vehicle.  DOCTORS FOR YOUR CAR   Choosing the right auto technician is like choosing a Dr. You want someone who is going to listen to your symptoms, make you stick out your tongue and say ahhh, notice if your blood work is where it should be, look, run test and understand what it is that you are experiencing and then, make a diagnosis and suggest a plan of action.    So, I’m taking the magician hat off for a minute and pulling out my charts and stethoscope on your vehicle and together with you, we will come up with a plan.   IT'S NO SECRET The super cool thing about your car, is that they guys who made it, gave you a little book, yup don’t believe me, look in ... read more

To Tow or Not to Tow There are always times when you come across an unexpected situation with your vehicle. Breakdowns are never fun no matter where you are and It is certainly an inconvenience. We want you to know that if that moment should arise where you are in need of a tow, we are here for you.  As you have come to expect with the service you receive at Automotive Magic we work on  the details and let you get on with your life.  maintaining We have been servicing our customers vehicles since 2003. When a repair is needed we have got you covered.   24/7 ASSISTANCE   Not only are we a AAA auto repair facility, we have a 24/7 Towing service we’ve been working with for the last seventeen years. We have partnered with JC and Daughters right here in Randolph and they are exceptional in the service that they provide.  Your process is seamless because we can dispatch their service to tow your vehicle into our shop at any time. Ther ... read more

At Automotive Magic we have been in the business of automotive repair and serving our community for 17 years. We are excited and honored to announce that we are a AAA Approved Auto Repair facility! We take pride in delivering the best automotive repair services to our customers, and we are happy to provide emergency services and towing to our out of town friends in need. We have successfully met and exceeded the requirements to become an AAA Approved Auto Repair facility, which means we’ve promised to provide reliable, high-quality services, performed by our ASE certified technicians. As an AAA Approved Auto Repair Facility our member customers are able to receive and additional 10% labor costs up to $50.00. You can become a AAA member here. AAA requires a 24-month/24,000-mile warranty ... read more