Irvin Otto
This is the most amazing auto repair shop in the world. I was on my way from NJ to SC when stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic my Cadillac overheated on 695 near the Capital Building. Getting off into DC and not knowing where I was I called a tow truck and had my car towed to Capitol Hill Auto Service at about 9pm on a Thursday night. Walking to a hotel with my wife and desperate for a room we stayed the night waking and trying to call CHAS only to get the repeated message to email them. Finally I email them and their response was very fast. I did not know what was wrong with my car, I did not know if they could get to it right away for us or how much it would cost to repair. I walked back to CHAS leaving my wife in the hotel and approach Chris about my problem. The shop is obviously very busy and Chris was a little curt with me but I made sure he understood my situation and then went back to my car, where it was left the night before and stood by in hoping CHAS would come to my rescue but understanding that CMAS were working on current customers cars. I was not only out of state but they probably knew they would never see me again. About 20 minutes later a mechanic comes out to get my car and takes it into the shop. Was it the water pump? A broken hose? Or something much more serious? About 20 minutes late the mechanic comes out and tells me he can’t find anything wrong with my car, having pressure tested the cooling system. After testing the cooling fan he informs me that it is a 3 speed fan and it is only running on high. He said that a diode needed to be replaced and after checking said there where none available. He had refilled my cooling sysem and when I went to Chris to pay the bill, it was $60. Wow!! It could have been anything they wanted to charge me but being honest by nature Chris charged me what was the correct amount, considering he put me in front of other cars and the labor involved. In NJ this would have been a minimum of $300. Thank you Chris and thank you Mechanic. By the way, I tried tipping the mechanic and he refused to take a tip. This is the most honest, hardworking car repair shop you will ever bring your car to. Please, if you have any auto repairs, please give your business to CHAS and you will not be disappointed!
