Richmond Automotive

The ASE-certified technicians at The Car Shop of Richmond refer to themselves as "the car guys," modestly masking the fact they tune up racecars in their spare time. In addition to servicing high-performance vehicles, the crew repairs electrical and mechanical components, and soups up the aesthetics of 44 makes from the globe's four corners and three slimming pin tucks. Out of respect for their work and those who fund it, they make sure to keep their unassuming brick-and-cinderblock garage tidy and WiFi enabled. Pickup and dropoff services represent another nicety, as does the option of a complimentary online profile that aggregates your car's service history, manufacturer recalls, and maintenance reminders.

With participating locations nationwide, Auto Care Special lets customers reach out to their local garages for a grab bag of free and discounted maintenance services. Cards may be redeemed for multiple vehicles over the course of one year for services such as oil changes, safety inspections, and engine-light diagnoses. Those who move or create alter-egos over the course of the year can scan the locations page for participating garages in their new cities of residence to receive a complimentary maintenance bundle.

Readers of Richmond magazine have voted Car Pool Car Wash the Best Car Washing/Detailing business in the city multiple times over the last decade. Stepping into one of its facilities, it’s easy to see why. In addition to making autos look and feel like royalty, Car Pool Car Wash also cultivates a stress-free environment with sleek waiting rooms that resemble modern hotel lobbies and emit free WiFi. After grabbing a complimentary cup of coffee and receding into plush leather chairs, visitors are served a visual feast that may include floor-to-ceiling windows or a stone fireplace. Rocking chairs outside of the car wash enable car owners to wait under the open sky while flipping through a book or magazine.

Locally owned and operated since 1977, the automotive salon company has focused on advanced car-cleaning methods while expanding its outreach to include six full-service wash facilities, two exterior-only wash facilities, and a full-service detail shop. Many of the car wash's specialty packages cater to specific vehicle needs such as comprehensive interior cleaning or professional exterior waxing, services that enlist products from Simoniz and Rain-X to safeguard paint jobs.

Car Pool Car Wash strengthens its bond with repeat customers through its frequency rewards program, which makes participants eligible for future discounts after they sign up online or in person. The shop also carries Duck Bucks gift cards that allow recipients to prepay for regular car washes. In their efforts to foster a tightly knit community, the owners of Car Pool Car Wash regularly support local charities and organizations in their initiatives.

Four full-time certified mechanics tend to domestic and foreign vehicles at All Tune and Lube, a full-service auto maintenance and repair center. These mechanics can investigate engine troubles with computer diagnostics, ward off road trip delays with preventative maintenance, or repair air-conditioning units that have transformed speedy coupes into imperceptibly slow-moving icebergs. All of the mechanics’ handiwork comes backed by a warranty valid for 12,000 miles or 12 months.

The skilled car whisperers at Grease Monkey perform rejuvenating miracles on all areas of motorized horseless carriages. They'll gladly tackle a full-service oil change ($38 and up), radiator flushing ($90 and up), or automatic transmission servicing ($100 and up). The same professional care given to your car's inner workings carries over to its exterior. Relight a busted headlight or taillight ($10 and up), rotate a set of weary tires ($22), or clear the way for better windshield clearing with a wiper-swap (starting at $13 each).

The technicians at C&J Auto Sales give cars all the care you'd expect from a NAPA AutoCare Center. All makes and models, both domestic and imported, are welcome to visit the facility for an oil change and tune-up, safety inspection, computer diagnostic, or any other service they need to succeed in today's fast-paced traffic jams. The technicians back all of their work with NAPA's 12-month, 12,000-mile warranty. Furthermore, they provide 24-hour towing services, and can drive customers to the office or back home while their cars are stuck in the shop.