Wheel Works

I began coming to Wheel Works with my little blue Versa since I attended UCSC. These guys have seen my car a lot because I was putting some heavy mileage for my work commute. Everyone is very honest and takes the time to explain things to me. Enrique frequently explains repairs and even takes me to my car to show me what needs to be fixed. They are really fair with pricing and will try to help you out with cost as much as possible. I had a serpentine belt replaced by them back in December and it turned out to the faulty. Enrique let me know that they would not charge for the replacement since it was under warranty and he gave me a discount on labor due to the inconvenience. People are usually hesitant to go to a «chain» shop, but I always give Wheel Works high praises to friends that ask me about repairs in Santa Cruz. Thanks guys!

I called ahead and spoke to Enrique. He ensured me if I could make it there in 30 minutes that he’d have my car’s oil changed by 6 PM. I take off from home and arrive at Wheel Works in 15 minutes. Enrique informs me that the spot he’d offered me has been taken by 2 walk ins. No apology just an offer to waste my time with an appointment the next day. This is the 2^nd time this has happened to me at Wheel Works. I like there service and there prices are good but this is a very stupid way to do business. I’ve recommended Wheel works to a lot of friends. I’ll have to take back that recommendation and ensure I don’t make that mistake again.

Took my car back to Firestone to get a second inspection for alignment after Wheel Works did the work to make sure it was done properly. Well it wasn’t, so I had Firestone perform the alignment again, thinking I’ll have to prove to Wheel Works, not only did they miss a nail in each back tire, they did poorly on the alignment.
Surprise to me, Chris at Firestone told me no charge because Wheel Works and Firestone are owned by the same company. Wheel works would pick up the tab.
Very cool. To avoid poor service highly recommend Firestone!

I agree with Ashton W. I have yet to have an entirely positive experience at this shop on Front Street. Staff seems to want to nickel and dime you for service that should already be covered under warranty.

So far i have yet to have an entirely positive experience with this shop. I generally do all my own work on my car and therefore have very high expectations of quality of work done by shops on my car. So far this shop has chipped 2 sets of brand new wheels, Improperly balanced a set of tires causing steering shake, and improperly aligned my car on two occasions. The easiest part of the alignment, Making the steering wheel strait was even to much for them. Terrible place.

My wife and I have been bringing our vehicles here for many years, long enough to see almost an entire change of service people. Its not always convenient to get down to Santa Cruz for the recommended tire rotation but we seem to make it work and we opt to have an oil change at the same time. Occasionally the techs find something else that needs attention like an air filter or dead lamp which we have them take care of for us at the same time. We opted for lifetime alignment for both of the cars on their last service dates, which, to me is a deal of a ‘lifetime.’ Free alignment check and altering every time they rotate the tires… how can you go wrong with that? Recently we had some great experiences at the shop and I am writing this review because they really do care about their work, which I appreciate. We take our cars to another shop for more serious mechanical/​engine work, but for anything concerning our tires, routine maintenance and the like — these guys are more than qualified. Thanks Bill, Liam, Enrique, (Rodrigo, Josh and all the previous service techs at the shop.) Do yourself a favor and set up an appointment to save yourself some time… and remember a car is a luxury not right of life — let the techs do their job without hassling them about getting your precious ride back.

Unprofessional con men. Went there for a tire rotation and was told it would take 1 – 2 hours. They later would not do it because one tire was too low on tread. This was the whole reason we went there to put that tire on the rear of the vehicle.
They obviously wanted to sell us new tires rather than help make the situation safer. Don’t go there!

Had an awful experience and walked right out. Visiting for the weekend and had a tire leaking air. Was told that I could leave my car all day and they would try to get to it but if I went home to get my other car, I would lose my place in line. I even offered to leave my credit card as I was planning to come back but the guy behind the desk was extremely rude and told me that wouldn’t help. I took it to another tire shop in SV and was so happy I did! Won’t ever go back here, even if I’m desperate!

Great customer service. Rodrigo V helped me get my truck squared away after an unfortunate warranty issue (not their fault). Needless to say, they turned a less than great situation into a positive experience. Thanks again for all the help Rodrigo!

I come here for all our automotive needs. The prices are fair and the guys are honest and the work is good. Enrique takes good care of us on the weekends. Weekends tend to get busy so best to make an appointment during the week if you can.

I will never go anywhere else to get my car stuff done. They are sooo friendly and reasonable prices. Keep in mind that the shop is small so it might take a while to get your car out of there but they def let you know in advance how long it will take so it shouldnt be an issue. I am always satisfied when i leave and when my boyfriend leaves with his car too. They call you and lets you know what going on. Theyre never rude over the phone and happy to answer any questions. Love this place!

I have been going to Wheel Works for about four years and with different cars.
Bill, Liam and Rodrigo have always been honest and don’t have you pay for things that are not necessary. I really appreciate their help and efficiency.
Susie H. (the one with the 300) :D

They do a fabulous job. They are extremely welcoming, fully inform you on everything, and really value their customers. I wouldn’t go anywhere else.

Great job with tires, alignments, lube oil and filter. Timely, informative, quality work. They have always been incredibly courteous whenever I have been there.
Where else can you go and be out before your appointment time?

BEWARE! Avoid this place AT ALL COSTS!!! Take your business elsewhere. Only reason they get one star is cause I can’t select 0 or negative!
Went in for an oil change, decided to take a walk while they worked on my car. Came back about 40 mins later, saw that my car was parked in a peculiar way but brushed it off. Went inside to pay came back out, my passenger and I went to get in the car. Upon opening the passenger door, my passenger noticed and brought to my attention that the door was difficult to open. I walked over to the passenger side and checked it out and there was damage to my car that was previously not there. They somehow banged up my car where the passenger door opens (along the hinge side). The side panel was pushed underneath the door and my door would not open unless it was FORCEFULLY pulled. At that point, it made complete sense to me why they parked my car the way they had; my car was backed up with the passenger door facing away from the business’ front door. They were not aware I had a passenger with me and assumed I’d get in my car and drive away not noticing any of the damage they did to my car. I don’t understand why they wouldn’t just tell me instead of trying to hide the damage!
So I go inside and bring the damage to the store manager’s attention. We walk outside and examine the damage. He proceeded to claim that the damage didn’t happen at his store and began to use excuses to as why it didn’t happen there, at that point he was insinuating that I was a liar. He obviously was just trying to cover his ass from holding any liability. I asked if he noted the damage he claimed was already there when the car was dropped off and to show me the paperwork but he could not and would not show me any paperwork, obviously cause the car had no damage to that area upon leaving it with them!!! Store manager was a complete asshole, I felt that he was trying to belittle me. Kept skirting me when I demanded his superior’s contact info and info to the claims department.
CLEARLY the damage occurred at his store because I recall no damage upon dropping off the car and my passenger recalls very clearly getting out of the car and the door opening perfectly fine. I contacted their claims department and have yet to hear a decision on the matter. I have replaced my passenger side tire since then (which I had bought 6 months previous to the damage) because the dented side panel began rubbing against the tire and wore it out along the outer edge. I hope they reimburse me for that as well! This happened in July 2015 (almost 4 months ago). Lesson learned I’m NEVER coming back here. I’ve told many people I know to avoid this place at all costs. Now I stick to Jiffy Lube on Soquel, never have had an issue with them. Moral of the story: get your oil change done at Jiffy Lube!

Paid them to do a coolant flush twice. Rust was still prevalent and by the way, 2000 GM cars use dex-​cool guys, not ⁵⁰⁄₅₀.
Also got tires from them which was done quick and look great. Immediately glad I bought roadside because a week later one of them blew out. Puncture was outside the tread zone so I didn’t have to pay for a new tire, but you do have to pay for the new warranty on them, which was new to me.

Quick, fast, legitimate. Came here for an oil change and was in and out in 30. Would recommend!

July 5, Sunday morning, picked up a bolt in the front tire of my BMW X3. Came in to see about getting it fixed. Enrique was friendly, but told me it couldn’t be fixed and I would need a set of new tires. These are the run-​flat style.
Figured it was worth a second opinion, so I drove carefully over Hwy 17 to San Jose where I searched Unilocal for a tire repair place. Saw Tire Merchants, with over 300 five star reviews and decided to check it out. They pulled the tire off, applied a patch, tested it and reinstalled it in 20 minutes. Checked the air in all the tires and we were on our way. Cost? $ 25. I tipped big.
Tire Merchants looks sketchy when you first roll in, but they were friendly, honest, hardworking and cared more about doing the right thing, than selling a new set of tires to someone who didn’t need them.

I have been getting my oil changed here since I bought 4 new tires for my car at the Los Gatos location a few years ago. They rotate for free with the oil change. They take appointments and are very accommodating even without one. The employees are very friendly and helpful. The only drawback I had at my last service was that they wouldn’t fix one of my tires that was loosing air since it was fixed previously. In fact I was told I needed all four new tires since the front ones were getting low on tread. I think I will go to Sears which is much closer to me for tires in the future.

I take my car to wheel works whenever I have an issue. The guys at the counter are always so welcoming and generous. I take my car in for an oil change all the time since I commute daily. The guys are always honest with the time they say my car will be completed. It never exceeds an hour!
Last time I went in they let me know that I’ll be needing new tires in the next couple months. I called in to schedule an appointment to get new tires, the guy at he front desk let me know that they will running a deal during the summer and that I could really save some money if i waited until then, so that’s what I’m doing!
Most companies want to sell, sell, sell but Wheel Works SC wants to save ME money. :)