Car Care Tips for College Students

Rudy Schmid
August 10, 2020

When you think August, do you think Back-to-School? We do!

This is an exciting time of the year, especially in the Syracuse area. Young adults from across the country travel to the 315 every year to broaden their horizons, meet new people, enjoy some soda pops and have the best four years (or longer) of their lives.

What they shouldn’t have to worry about is an auto shop ripping them off.

Whether you are a student relocating to the Syracuse area or a parent moving your student you both want to know there is a trusted auto body shop near, should one be needed. We’ve been servicing the Syracuse area since 1930. For you youngsters out there, that’s most likely before your grandparents were even born!

There’s a reason we’ve been around so long: our loyal customers. These customers have become loyal over the years for a few reasons. One being our outstanding service and expertise. Rudy Schmid is a Honda/Acura ProFirst and an I-CAR Gold Class Professional Shop. This means that our technicians and repair specialists have received the top level of training available. Only about 10 percent of shops throughout the country have reached the I-CAR Gold Class certification.

Next, our customer service cannot be beat. Take a look at our reviews, our customers do the talking for us. In a tight-knit community like Syracuse, we embrace the feedback we get and strive for those great reviews from our customers! Over the years, we’ve accumulated over 100 Google reviews and currently stand at a 4.6/5.0 star rating. Not a bad GPA if you ask us.

Check out some of our customer testimonials! 

With our central location (228 East Hiawatha Boulevard in Syracuse), Rudy Schmid is fairly close to all the Syracuse colleges and universities.

  • Bryant and Stratton – 2.1 miles
  • Syracuse University – 3.2 miles
  • Crouse School of Nursing – 3.2 miles
  • SUNY ESF – 3.6 miles
  • Le Moyne College – 5.5 miles
  • SUNY Empire – 6.0 miles
  • Onondaga Community College – 7.8 miles
  • Our Auto Body Services

There’s a reason “Total Car Care” is in our name. Any repair or service you can think of, our certified technicians can do. From collision repair to brake work, from NYS inspections to tires – we have it all! You can also schedule general maintenance appointments to ensure your vehicle runs as smoothly as possible for a long period of time.

Rudy Schmid is also proud to offer Rust Check corrosion protection. Rust proofing your vehicle is essential when dealing with our harsh New York State winters. Be sure to set up your appointment before winter comes (and we all know how early that can be!).

Do Your Research

It’s no secret that some auto repair shops will overcharge students. They prey on young people who may not know much about their vehicles, and especially if their parents are fronting the bill. Not here at Rudy Schmid.

We encourage our customers to do their research. Write down the noises you may be hearing or the symptoms your car may have. Be ready to explain to us the changes you have noticed, although it is not a must, it will help us to diagnose your vehicle more accurately.

Insurance

Unfortunately, accidents happen. We know that students are always on their phones (hopefully not while driving, of course). The insurance company may offer a smartphone option to submit the claim damage. That’s logical thinking, but can be extremely costly.

Schmid Snaps is our accident claims assistance program. Rather than taking pictures yourself, we encourage our customers to bring their vehicle directly to us. Our technicians are experienced with collision repair and know exactly what to look for. We take the pictures for you to make sure everything – no matter how small it may seem – is documented.

We then work directly with insurance companies to ensure you get a thorough repair. Being a local Syracuse business, we’re familiar with the local Syracuse insurance companies. They trust us and we trust them. Working with us streamlines the process, meaning you get a warranted repair and the insurance pays to do it right.

The common saying is “a picture is worth a thousand words.” We say: “don’t let a bad picture cost you thousands of dollars!”

Rudy Schmid is committed to the Syracuse area because it’s our home. That includes students. We strive to provide affordable, high-quality vehicle services to everyone including those we have just met. Five Star, Friendly & Fair!