Clive Automotive

Attached to the glitzy show rooms and sports-car-stuffed lots of BMW Des Moines, European Motorcars keep automobiles in top condition with meticulous detailing packages. Technicians treat wheels and paint jobs with coats of Black Magic Tire Shine, wax, and clay-bar treatments that remove blemishes to create a bright, glossy sheen that dazzles friends and blinds enemies.

Tuffy Auto Service's ASE-certified technicians repair or maintain foreign and domestic cars, trucks, and SUVs. They use computerized engine analysis to peer into each vehicle's mind and ensure that all systems operate correctly, from its brakes to the part of its brain that makes jokes about being “tired” of driving. For routine maintenance, the team can rotate tires and refresh engines with Castrol oil.

Tuffy's staff adds convenience to the experience with after-hours drop off and free WiFi. A free shuttle also ferries customers to and from their homes.

The ASE-certified technicians at O'Brien's Auto Repair pride themselves on the quality of their service and the strength of their Code of Ethics. Technicians use NAPA parts to expedite oil changes, brake repairs, and engine rebuilds, and offer a 12-month or 12,000-mile Peace of Mind warranty on their work. Technicians also work to help drivers survive the winter, offering free load testing for batteries and tiny Snuggies for exhaust pipes.

With more than 175 locations nationwide and more than 35 years in the business, Car-X Auto Service has earned a prime spot in the parking garage of quality car care and customer service. Started in 1971 by a team of seasoned muffler-shop owners, the service centers have blossomed from their beginnings as specialty exhaust shops to providers of nearly any repair or maintenance service imaginable, from installing performance-enhancing accessories to treating cars to therapeutic trust falls. In addition to promoting safety and long, healthy engine life with brake services and speedy oil changes, Car-X Auto Service reaches out to the surrounding community with regular philanthropic activities, such as recycling drives and participation in the American Heart Association’s Heart Walk.

At Tuffy Auto Service Center, manager Chris Reynolds and his seasoned, ASE-certified technicians squeeze peak performance out of weary roadsters with an array of comprehensive services. With more than 30 years of tradition in the auto-repair industry, Tuffy franchises are hotbeds of technical wisdom and ancient car lore. Each shop's mechanics are entrusted with the task of passing along this cumulative knowledge to their customers, as well as to the future mechanics that the staff grows in pools of synthetic oil.

The first Tuffy Auto Service Center touched down in Detroit in 1970. The shop flourished, and today it has extensions in 15 states. Its ASE-certified technicians tend to all manner of repairs and maintenance services, from basic tire rotations and oil changes to more complex tasks, such as getting all the gummy bears out of the cassette deck. Between visits, car owners can consult Tuffy's list of car-care tips, which includes advice on how to stay on top of seasonal musts and how to keep an ear out for early signs of trouble.