“Service Engine Soon”
Just this past weekend our truck broke down on the interstate around Fairfield. And to this I must make a confession, I am not a skilled mechanic nor a natural do-it-yourself troubleshooter. Give me a computer and I can probably diagnose most any software and hardware problems. Let the engine cut out on the I-95, and I’m good for popping the hood and looking with an empty intensity. Just ask the state trooper who stopped for assistance, to which he was appeased when I replied, “I have a cell phone and roadside assistance.” Thank you sir for the concern, but, I’ve got this under control?!
After letting the engine sit for a few minutes it finally turned over. Now glad that I didn’t have to implement my primary plan (see cell phone + roadside assistance), we headed into Waterville for help. Seeing my windshield sticker indicated we were due for an oil change, and it was a Sunday afternoon, we went to Walmart. While they didn’t have the equipment to read engine codes they were kind enough to point out another local business who could assist us that day – the Auto Zone.
Free Engine Code Readings
I pulled into the Auto Zone on KMD in Waterville and headed inside for help. I was greeted by the store manager Jamie French who gladly offered to assist. After a couple basic questions of the vehicle make & model, and what light was notifying, he got the engine code reader. Then we headed out to see what the suspect had to say.
After a quick hook up under the dash, Jamie was able to give us several codes to research further. Note: going home later and researching those codes, we found there was a simple $5 solution (fuel injector cleaner) over the potential several hundred dollar fix (throttle actuator replacement). A BIG thanks to Jamie and the team at the Auto Zone for their free service offer to read engine codes!
So why the promotion?
In the end we we had one local business provide good customer service in pointing out another local business that could offer what we were asking for in this case. To me that’s great customer service all around from within our community. And at a time when we needed it the most.
So why the promotion of Auto Zone? Is this a paid advertisement? No, it isn’t at all. The reason I’m so appreciative of the service of the Auto Zone is that it represents the type of service we hoped to provide when creating ExploringWaterville.com. Our goal is to provide content and features that are useful to the community, so that people will keep coming back to the site. For example, we currently provide an online “Quick List” of 2400+ businesses in the greater Waterville area. And are nearing completion of launching a FREE online business directory, stay tuned! So, if you want be proactive and confirm your info early, you can always send it on our contact form!
We look forward to providing a valuable resource to our community and spotlighting so many of the people, places, things to do & businesses that make the Waterville area such a great place live in and visit!
Submit Your Ideas for a Business Spotlight
Know of a neat business in Waterville or one of the surrounding communities? Send the idea in to dan@exploringwaterville.com or the contact form with a few sentences about why you think others would want to know about it, and it might just end up as one of our Business Spotlights. We can’t guarantee we’ll write about it, but if we do, we’ll be sure and give you credit for the idea.
