Service Terminology
What’s it all mean? Scroll down for a list of offered services and details on what we can do for your car.
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WE DO IT ALL
You need it, we got it. From A to Z, we cover it all. Air Conditioning, ABS Service, Audio Systems, Auto Body Restoration, Belts, Brakes, Cooling Systems, Detailing, Diagnostics, Electrical Systems, Exhaust Systems, Exterior Lights, Fuel Systems, Glass Replacement, Lubrication Service, NYS Inspection, Oil, Lube, and Filters, Parts Department, Precision Welding, Program Tests, Rebuilds, Road Test, Software Download, Suspension, Tires, Rims, and Wheels, Transmission Repairs, Tune-ups, Upholstering, Winterizing, Zero Hassle.
THE ESSENTIALS
AIR CONDITIONING | When the days heat up, The Little Garage will ensure that your car's AC blows cold. Don't be caught the first hot day unprepared.
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM | Regardless if you're on the Laguna Seca or on a side street, the integrity of your car's Anti-lock Brake System is the key to the safety and performance of your car. At The Little Garage, we will ensure that your car's ABS system is in peak condition.
AUDIO SYSTEMS | Whether it is your 2002's radio, or the intricate infotainment system in the M5, we will ensure that your car's audio system is crisp and clear.
BELTS, ALTERNATORS + BATTERIES | Check all belts and adjust all belt tensions. Check all cables and grounds to alternator and battery. Replace or repair if necessary. Check battery terminals. Check battery electrolyte level and replenish if necessary.
BRAKES | Brake feel and performance can impact a driver's confidence in their vehicle. Let The Little Garage keep the calipers and rotors stopping the way you expect them to. Hitting the track? The Little Garage will find you the perfect performance upgrade for your car.
DIAGNOSTICS | See a Check Engine light on your dash? Let The Little Garage figure out the source of the problem.
LUBRICATION SERVICE | BMWs, Audis, and Porsches require a level of know-how and experience that goes beyond the typical quick oil change. The Little Garage will make sure all of your moving parts are in order.
TRANSMISSION REPAIRS | The Little Garage will rebuild or replace transmissions to ensure that your gear ratios are giving you the most out of your car.
TUNE-UPS | Preventive maintenance is essential in maintaining your performance machine. With regular tune-ups at The Little Garage, your car will keep on running for many more years into the future.
Adjust valves if applicable, replace valve cover gasket and rocker shaft seals. Replace spark plugs set gap to factory specification. Replace distributor cap, rotor, points, condenser for all models prior to 1980. Check motronic cap and rotor. Replace only if necessary. Check ignition wires, boots and connectors for cracks, dryness and wear. Add Techron and dry gas additives to fuel tank. Use engine analyzer to set timing, fuel mixture, emissions to specification.
AUTO BODY RESTORATION + REPAIRS
Accidents happen. The Little Garage can restore life's unpleasant surprises with the workmanship that comes with years of experience since 1974. Just bought a fixer upper? Let us restore your find to its former glory.
SYSTEMS
COOLING SYSTEMS | The Cooling System ensures that the excess engine heat is being removed from the engine. Reduce wear and the threat of overheating in traffic by letting The Little Garage take care of your cooling needs.
Check all hoses (engine cooling and heater) for strength. Replace where necessary. Check coolant quality, replenish or flush. Check thermostat and radiator cap for operation. Check engine fan, fan clutch, and auxiliary fan for condition and operation.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS | German cars are known for their electrical gremlins. Luckily, The Little Garage has the experience to ensure these intricate systems are functioning properly.
EXHAUST SYSTEMS | Ensuring your car is breathing properly means that you're getting the most power out of your engine. Not enough growl from the tailpipe? Let The Little Garage recommend performance upgrades that will increase your vehicle's horsepower and presence on the street.
FUEL SYSTEMS | Gas isn't getting any cheaper, but you can squeeze every last mile (and horse!) out of your engine by letting us ensure the fuel system is operating efficiently.
EXTERIOR LIGHTS
Check headlights, tail lights, stop lights, and side markers for operation. Check 4-way hazard flasher lights and turn signals for operation. Check all light lenses for cracks and damage. Check fog lights (if equipped), aim for optimum performance.
GLASS REPLACEMENT
Pockmarks accumulate over the years on windshields, decreasing visibility and the integrity of the glass. We will make sure that all of your glass is as clear as the day you bought the car.
NYS INSPECTION
We provide NYS inspections and emissions tests.
PARTS DEPARTMENT
The Little Garage has the relationships with vendors to ensure that your car is getting original, factory spec parts. Perfect for the enthusiast whose needs go beyond the typical chain auto parts store.
PRECISION WELDING
Need metalwork? Who better than LI's premier German automotive shop to fabricate hard to find and obscure parts, or to do repairs?
PROGRAM TEST
Thinking about upgrading your brakes or pursuing an aggressive weight reduction? The Little Garage will be able to tell you the impact that each upgrade will have on your vehicle's performance.
SUSPENSION
The handling needs of an Audi TT are much different than those of a BMW 325. The Little Garage will keep your car riding smoothly, or if you'd like, help you upgrade to a stiffer suspension setup to increase cornering performance.
Should you replace your shocks with after-market performance parts? We know what needs to be done to ensure that the springs, bushings, and anti-sway bars are compatible and won’t be damaged.
Check all components for excessive wear or damage. Check all ball joints, bushings, motor, transmission, and differential mounts. Treat all under-body rubber components, bushings, covers, boots, and mounts to prevent damage from moisture and contaminants. Check tire tread for uneven wear and to discover potential alignment problems or suspension failure. Check all tire pressures and adjust (including spare).
DETAILING
Protect your investment. Routinely detailing your vehicle preserves the look that made you fall in love in the first place.
Since 1974 quality of workmanship and attention to detail has been our personal commitment to our customers. Our policy is to maintain the highest standards, and we use only the finest materials and polishes.
The Detailing
Degrease and wash engine compartment.
Treat all hoses, wires, and plastic components with preservative.
Wash exterior, including tires, wheels, wheel wells, and rocker moldings.
Vacuum and shampoo interior, seats, floor mats, and trunk.
Treat all interior surfaces with preservative. Also treat tires, grills, and exterior moldings.
Polish all painted and bright metal surfaces, buff to a high gloss.
Clean all windows and mirror glasses.
Inspect. Check all edges, door sills, rain gutters, trunk, and hood ledges for dirt or polish residue.
The Process
Wheel wells and exposed areas of the undercarriage are powerfully sprayed to remove deposits and road grime.
Exterior is then washed using top grade automotive soaps.
Tires are scrubbed so that they appear clean and uniformly black.
Wheels and/or wheel covers are washed so that stains are removed.
The entire exterior is then dried including all door edges, entrance ledges, luggage compartment, and engine bonnet borders.
Leather upholstery is cleaned and treated.
Instrument panel is cleaned and polished.
All painted surfaces are polished, as are bright metal surfaces like chrome or stainless steel.
The Techniques
Using only the finest soaps, polishes, creams, and treatments, we clean an automobile completely both inside and out.
We bring out the natural color of the painted surfaces to produce a deep and lustrous appearance.
Other Detailing Services
Show and exhibit preparation
Engine detailing
Accessory installation
Pin striping
Carpet shampooing
Our detailing services will be quoted on an individual basis, and rates will vary according to services wanted. Please call us to schedule an appointment. We all know that a clean, shiny car runs better than a dirty one.
REBUILDS
The Little Garage has the knowledge necessary to capture the intricacy and nuance of engineering of German engines in their rebuilds. Drive with peace of mind knowing that The Little Garage rebuilds, and the years of experience that comes with it, serves as the power plant under your hood.
SOFTWARE DOWNLOADS
Do performance chips or software upgrades really increase output of your car's engine? What are the tradeoffs of changing your car's default CPU settings? The Little Garage can help you answer all of these questions to see if this approach to increased performance is right for you.
TIRES, RIMS, WHEELS
Tires are one of the most effective ways to change the feel and performance of your car. Is it worth pursuing a plus zero, plus one, or plus two upgrade? The Little Garage has the expertise to determine if a wider tire is right for your car.
Need a replacement or to repair an existing rim? Would you like lighter rims for higher performance or sleeker looks? The Little Garage has you covered with a wide selection from both factory and aftermarket vendors.
UPHOLSTERING
The Little Garage specializes in leather, cloth, and vinyl repair, and reupholstering that ensure your car's interior is as luxurious as the designers intended. Headliner repair and replacement is also available.
WINTERIZING
Service According To The Season
A harsh winter on you can be even harsher for your car. Prepare your vehicle for those long, cold months by letting us make sure your car is ready. The changing seasons affect more than our dress codes. We put away lawn furniture, the barbecue, install storm windows, and order heating oil, all in preparation for winter. Your car needs to be prepared, too. Changing climate conditions impact on your car's performance. At The Little Garage we have developed a program of service to help get your car ready for the cold weather ahead.
Engine Oil
Replace with a lighter viscosity oil grade. Oil filter and drain plug seal replaced with every oil change.
Antifreeze
Checked to prevent cooling system from freezing to -40º. Replenished or replaced if necessary.
Battery and Charging System
Checked to ensure that the battery, alternator, and belts will perform to the maximum during this season when the most is required from your car's electrical system.
Fuel System
Dry gas and Techron added to the gas tank will help prevent condensation and freezing within the fuel system. These additives should be used at least once each month during cold weather. More often if weather becomes severe.
Heater, Defroster, and Defogging System
Check for peak operation. Hoses and thermostat checked and replaced if necessary.
Windshield Wiper and Washer System
Washer fluid and antifreeze added. Wiper blades checked for condition and replaced if necessary. Wiper motor, washer pump, switch, hoses, and nozzles checked and repaired where required. Washer nozzles aimed for optimum cleaning and coverage.
Exterior and Interior Lights
Headlights, tail lights, fog lights, and side marker lights and lenses replaced if necessary. Fog lights aimed. Interior dash and instrument lights checked and repaired or replaced.
Tires and Spare
Tire tread checked, snow tires (if equipped) installed, air pressure adjusted to specifications.
Interior and Exterior Detailing
Optional but recommended. Interior seats and carpet shampooed, exterior paint and chrome washed and waxed. These precautionary steps can protect your car against the harmful effects of road salt, sand, and contaminants that cause rust and dull the finish.
Winter is the most taxing time of the year for your car. It is also the time of the year when you need it to perform at its' best every time you turn the key. Don't expect the most out of your car unless you give it some help in advance.