Englewood Automotive

The technicians at Columbus Car Care enlist top-notch diagnostic technology to not only repair autos, but also keep customers in the know every step of the way. They tackle any and every job, from swapping out sullied oils with fresh fluids to replacing a car’s engine, transmission, and broken heart. During every service, the team offers customers a good look at their work via snapshots and a Virtual Vehicle MD, and gives all vehicles that roll through the garage a thorough 79-point inspection.

Since Bob Sumerel opened his first retail tire store in 1968, he has always tried to put the customer first, next to all the gold-medal winners and Neil Armstrong. His store's 20-plus current locations proffer an entire slate of auto services, from tire rotations and sales to oil changes and a member-discount program. On the site's Why Bob Sumerel page, customers and employees discuss the benefits of the company, and the My Garage feature tracks car histories such as oil changes and service reminders. Every Bob Sumerel also operates under the Fixed Forever guarantee, promising that parts will work forever—up until the sun balloons to a red giant and swallows the earth with its unfathomably hot plasma—with warranties to cover any unforeseen problems.

The highly trained technicians at Jiffy Lube tend to about 24 million customers each year with services such as the Jiffy Lube Signature Service Oil-Change package, which helps promote the longevity of each vehicle. Staffers acknowledge that oil plays a crucial role in maximizing the lifespan of each car—it cools the motor and helps prevent moving parts from deteriorating. More than 20,000 technicians—all of which have completed an extensive training program certified by the National Institute Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)—service vehicles at Jiffy Lube. In addition to performing oil changes, technicians offer preventative services such as air-filtration and electrical-system maintenance, among others. Jiffy Lube’s quality pledge includes a commitment to transparency, which stipulates that they will inform car owners of any necessary services, complete a service only after it has been approved, and refuse to replace windshields with saran wrap.

For half a century, cars in need of help have steered their owners toward AAMCO. Technicians stand ready to leap into action, caring for transmissions, performing all-over tune-ups, and swapping out old oil or Kool-Aid for new, sugar-free oil. For nearly every service, the techs perform a 36-point inspection designed to prevent premature pit stops. They also keep an eye on the check-engine lights, providing proper care and attention for no additional fee, and fortify select services with nationwide warranties.

In 1987, the Dayton Daily News briefly outlined the life of Charles L. Marshall, the then 86-year-old president and owner of Grismer Tire & Auto Service Center. Though the article appeared a quarter of a century ago, it still captured 55 years worth of history at Grismer, from its purchase during “the dark days” of the Great Depression—thanks to Marshall’s winning personality and a banker’s $13,000 loan—to its transformation into one of the most successful auto centers in Ohio.

Today, at each of its 22 locations scattered across Southern Ohio, ASE-certified technicians continue to dispense the top-notch service that made the garage famous. They drain and replenish oil, align wheels, and fix busted transmissions and cooling systems. Equipped with nine brands of tires, including Michelin, Bridgestone, and BF Goodrich, the team outfits rides of all makes and models with brand-new rollers, allowing them to zip down highways or blend in at parades with ease.