So you need to new brakes on your car.. Either a mechanic told you so or you've started feeling that guh, guh, guh vibration or hearing squealing when you step on the brakes while driving.  Bummer! But, we can help.  Bottom line, there are 4 things you need to know when you think you need new brakes.
1.  First, brakes are EVERYTHING, keeping you, your family and friends safe.  How often have you been driving, maybe not paying attention a bit and had to stomp on the brakes to stop your car just in the nick of time?  You?  Never!  Right, me neither. Yeah, you need em.   
2.   Do I need brake pads?  Brake pads should last between 30-50,000 miles and are measured with that thingy on the left.  Ask to see the measurements to make sure they DO need to be changed.
3.  What type of brakes should I have installed? There are 3 types of brake pad, basically: Basic/Good, Better, Best.  Found this good article with lots of pictures and details, ignore the typos and misused words...we didn't write it.   We DONT recommend the basic metallic pads because they tend to make noise and throw off a lot of brake dust making your tire rims look dirty. 

4.  Should I replace rotors at the same time?  Notwithstanding budget,  YES.  Since you are going to replace your brake pads only every 3 to 5 years....it's not that much more $$$ to do both at the same time and avoid another trip to the brake shop.  It also ensures that new brake pads don't get torn up by warped rotors.  With that said, no sense replacing rotors if they are silky smooth:)  At Cutshaw Automotive we can advise you on the best brake buy for your budget.  

So this is the most basic question for the entire auto repair industry because it defines the life of the vehicle for gas and diesel vehicles (not electric.)  The simple answer is: follow the owners manual.  Some vehicles call for an oil change every 3000 miles, some 5000 and some higher (bad call.)
Why these numbers?  Back in the day there was only one type of oil and it was dirty...not well refined, but now we have more highly refined oils that are cleaner and can last longer.  Engines have advanced and so has oil.  So we recommend changing your oil every 5000 miles for a couple of reasons:

1.  For most people an oil change every 5000 miles = twice a year.  Easy to remember.
2.  Your tires should be rotated every 5000 miles so, it's a 2fer.  Do both at one time, keeping your in shop time most efficient.
3.  Seasonal change.  From hot weather to cold weather your car goes through changes and need different treatments.  So perhaps Spring and Fall or Winter and Summer.... kind of like when you bring out your summer clothes and put away winter clothes....get a car check up. 
4.  The majority of car manufacturers recommend every 5000 miles.  

So fine print, blah blah, blah....folks can argue with the above or nitpick...but at Cutshaw Automotive, we are about helping our customers decide how often to get their oil changed in a way that is convenient for them.   Twice a year,  summer and winter, spring and fall, Halloween and Easter....however you can remember it (and we'll remind you .)

Visit us at 3105 Cutshaw Ave. Richmond, Va. 23230, 
Call us  804.355.666 or click below to schedule your oil change and tire rotation appointment .​

When summer rolls around and you're rolling around in your car too... your car's air conditioning is a must.  When it's hot outside, it better be cool inside.  Your car A/C temperature should be about 65 degrees farenheit....Not kidding.   But over time,  it can develop leaks or completely fail.  

Here's how to evaluate what might be wrong with your car's AC.

Wierd note:  each car has a certain amount of refrigerant in it from 1 lb to over 2lbs.  Refrigerant comes to us in a container much like you buy propane for your grill and it's expensive and requires professional safety management.  IE. you gotta get certified. 

1.  If your car has fewer than say 5 to 7 years old and not cooling  as it should (65*) it likely has lost some refrigerant.  You might have heard this stuff referred to as 'freon,' which is what it used to be called.    We connect your vehicle via vaccum hoses to a big fancy (expensive) machine that tests the system, puts dye in it and recharges it.  This SHOULD solve your problem.  "But why dye?" you ask.  Great question.  It allows us to identify any significant leaks in the system.  We can actually see the dye spewing out from the hoses and valves that might be leaking.  
2.  If your car is seven to 10 years old or older.  It is possible that the car air conditioning compressor is broken.  Yes, that means big $$$$.  Replacing a compressor runs in the $800 range.  But, you can do some self evaluation by opening your hood, turning on the AC and listening to hear the air compressor turn on and off.  If you do NOT hear that....ugh.... the compressor may be gone.  However, some times you are in luck and the recharge will revive it ...that's why you almost always start with a recharge first.  
Tips

• If you have a small leak you may be able to recharge the car air conditioning each year in the spring.  It will get you through one season and avoid expensive compressor replacements.
• Our recharge costs about $179 (2018) depending on how much refrigerant your car/truck requires.  
• If you have rear AC - your car will require larger quantities of refrigerant ...duh.
• You can test your AC temperature with an air conditioning thermometer.  They cost about $1.00 at any auto parts shop.

Questions about your car AC problems?  Call us 804-355-6666.

We offer repairs and maintenance services, at Cutshaw.  Maintenance is the routinely scheduled services, inspections and part replacements that your vehicle manufacturer recommends based on the age or mileage of your vehicle. We do oil changes, inspections and tire rotations on an hourly basis, at Cutshaw.  Repairs are services that are required or necessary when something on your vehicle is not working properly or may have worn to the point where a replacement is required to maintain the performance of your vehicle. The repairs part of maintenance is where many people end up losing the value of their car. Letting something "slide" usually leads to bigger repair costs or damaging something else. Our technicians won't recommend unnecessary services and we do believe in QUALITY service. You can Trust Cutshaw. 
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Our combines experience, the latest tools and our management make a top-notch shop, in Scott's Addition of Richmond. Regular maintenance and necessary service for your vehicle. We will service your engine to keep it newer, longer and safer to drive.
 

3105 Cutshaw Ave
Richmond, Virginia 23230
Get Directions
(804) 355-6666

Well,, it's kind of like this question:  Do you take a shower?  If the answer is 'Yes' then you'll understand the need to flush your powersteering. 

Simply put, it gets dirty.  If your answer is 'No' - that's just lazy and kind of creepy :-)  Powersteering fluid, much like oil and other fluids in your engine, contains additives.  In addition, powersteering is one of the few systems in your car that does NOT have a filter on it.  And if your steering doesn't work...guess what? You die. Let's not mess with this system so important to the drivability of our cars. Over the course of the vehicle's life, that fluid, which lubricates the powersteering system, gets dirty and is no longer keeping your system lubricated. As a result, metal parts will rub together and break. 

​Come into Cutshaw and get your oil changed, your brake pads changed and come get your powersteering system flushed. #TrustCutshaw

Eco-Power is 65% re-refined oil.  We carry it, we love it and you will too. And the very best part is that is costs about the same (or less) than your regular motor oil.  That's a two-fer. Read more about Eco-Power, here. 

We do oil changes, on a daily basis and we are affordable and efficient - but some people just like to do their own oil changes - we get that - but we also want to do what we can to keep Richmond clean and green. Please feel free to drop off your used oil. Keeping Richmond Green! #TrustCutshaw

Cutshaw Automotive does oil changes, maintenance schedules, A/C repair and services, tire rotations, Virginia State Inspections, tires, belts, timing and we specialize in funny noises, but did you know that we also offer Fleet Services? We can service all parts of your car and if you have multiple cars that you provide for your staff, we can put it on our maintenance schedule and save your company money with discounts that come with being on our Fleet Management program:

•                                  State Inspection
•                                  Fast Service
•                                  Payment Options
•                                  Detailed Invoices
•                                  Repair Options - what works for you?
•                                  Detailed tracking of services

                               

 Extend the life of your vehicles. Come visit us and #TrustCutshaw - Locally Owned Cutshaw (just like your company!) #ShopLocal 

Cutshaw Automotive serves many fleets in Richmond and we'd be happy to add your fleet to our happy customers. We serve these fleets: Automotive Resources International | Corporate Claims Management | Donlen Fleet/ Management | Emkay, Inc. | Enterprise Fleet Services | Fleet Response | Fuelman  | GE Capital Fleet Services | Glesby/Marks Leasing | GSA | Lease Plan | Leasing
Associates | Maps, Inc./Wheels, Inc. | Merchants Leasing | PHH Vehicle  Management Corporation | Qwest Business Resources | State Fleet Management of  Colorado | Ultea | Union Leasing, Inc. | Voyager | Wright Express (The Wright Express Card streamlines payments for your fleet services).