JCW Auto Repair Service

Let me tell you about  JCW  Auto Repair. On 8/9/2024 I was traveling from Berkeley CA after visiting my son, daughter in law and toddler grandson back to my home in north coastal San Diego. I had my 5 month old Corgi puppy with me, (she was a champ the entire trip). I noticed during the grapevine approaching the LA National Forrest the engine seemed to be working hard. I saw freeway signs recommending drivers turn off their AC during the steep grades and incline and I did so. Google maps redirected me to go through Pasadena to SD vs LA as LA rush hour traffic was slammed on Friday. Travel slowed considerably and I noticed my temperature gauge starting to rise in the stop and go traffic. I turned off the AC again, it was 107 degrees outside. Across the freeway from me was a Subaru car dealership, but it was now 5:01 and I know the service dept would be closed. I took the very next exit as I could see it was an industrial area and there had to be something there. I pulled over in some shade to let the car temp gauge to cool down. I saw the car repair shops were all closed. I thought about calling AAA, but what could they do other than tow me? I called my brother in law in SD, he had me pop the hood and check the coolant which was almost empty. He directed me to drive a few miles just west of my location to an O'Reilly auto parts store and he would coach me how to add the coolant. I started to drive about a block and found JCW Auto repair with the bay doors still open. It was clear everyone was closing up but stayed to help me. Jed immediately went to work, I popped the hood, he could smell the radiator heat. Jed immediately noticed my radiator cap was broken. I explained I had taken my Subaru to the dealership two days prior to my road trip to have the oil changed, tires rotated and the fluids all checked. Jed said the service department should have caught this broken radiator cap. Two jugs of coolant. Jed tried to find a used radiator cap that would work, he finally took one off his own personal vehicle that fit my Subaru. Jed cautioned me to drive the rest of the way to SD at normal speeds with no AC. It was blazing hot out there. He even gave me a jug of water if the temp gauge started to rise again and explained do not open the cap until it cools down. Jed seemed genuinely concerned and worried but felt I should be able to make it to San Diego if I take it easy. I asked Jed how much I owed him and Jed told me to give him whatever I thought was right.  I am a widow traveling alone, I am beyond grateful for Jed dropping what he was doing to take care of me and get me on my way. He had along day at work and was ready to go home. Jed  really saved me and my little puppy. He saved me an expensive repair bill or even my car breaking down on the freeway. I shudder at the danger of that. My sons and my family are exceptionally grateful too. It should be noted when I got to San Clemente I turned the AC on and the temperature gauge never moved from the middle center line. It was so chilly in the cabin my fingers and feet were numb with cold air.  I would definitely, most assuredly take my vehicles to JCW Auto repair for all my service needs and might even drive to Azusa from SD for such quality excellence in service. This is the America I grew up in, where there was honesty, integrity and high moral character among our car mechanic  professionals, where a handshake was considered to have as much value associated with it as a man giving his word of honor. JCW is exceptional car service care. Jed and his crew are consummate professionals. Again my profound heartfelt thanks

JCW has helped me out on a couple of occasions and I think their work is beyond noteworthy.

I own a (relatively) recent year Mustang and go on frequent road trips. As anyone else who drives long distances at intervals may know, anything and everything can happen with very little prediction on these voyages... or before them. A couple of months ago I was all set to head to Joshua Tree (having only recently returned from San Francisco), and went out to get some coffee first-- my hood started steaming. Not good.

I postponed my trip and took my car in to JCW the following morning-- they quickly evaluated that it was a cracked gasket, and had it fixed in the same day.

Fast forward to another trip I was planning, and this time I couldn't be taken unaware in the middle of nowhere. I brought my car into JCW with a simple if odd request: Have a thorough look around and fix *anything* that may hamper my travel.

They did a thorough inspection, changed my oil, did a complete tune-up and repaired an issue with my radiator. They gave me the confidence to go on my trip, and even let me know about projected repairs that I should address in the near future. This aspect is important-- they didn't just tinker for extra money. They did exactly what I asked-- repaired only what was necessary.

I would recommend JCW to *anybody* who wants trustworthy, excellent maintenance at a reasonable price.