Ferris Shell Service

I actually stopped into this Shell station last night to fill up a tire since the low pressure warning had popped up. When I was filling it I realized there was a screw stuck in it, luckily air was leaking very slowly. I came back this morning to see if they would be able to patch the hole. I arrived at 9am and was able to pull right in. Within 15 minutes I was on my way with a freshly patched tire and only $ 20 poorer. The gentlemen that helped me was very efficient and friendly. I would have rated five stars but I have since been told $ 20 is high compared to other tire repair places, but since I live just down the street this was super convenient. May have to stop back for other routine maintenance, will update if I do.

This is the second time I had to stop by this place. The first time was when I had a flat tire that needed to be fixed. I was in and out in no time.
Today, I came in and said that my ac might need freon and that my front light is out. The guys said it might take him an hour to get everything done but he then checked my freon and said he wouldn’t fill it just yet, that it’s just too hot out but that the air is blowing just fine.
He checked my light, got it to turn on and said it was a bad connection. Considering how clueless I am I really appreciate the honesty. I walked out with a working light and knowledge that unless something breaks with my ac, it should be running well for at least two more years! I will definitely be coming back here the next time something is wrong with my car/​I need an oil change.

It drives me bat crazy that gas stations charge for air to fill your tires. Think about it: gas costs a bloody fortune and then they gouge you for what used to be a freebie. And the irony – bike shops, where purchases are far more sporadic than they are at gas stations, still have an air hose, often placing it so it is accessible ²⁴⁄₇. Free, totally free.
But I digress. I stopped at Ferris to fill the tank and then pay three coins for the pleasure of filling my tires. Lacking a pressure gauge, I decided I’d ask one of the mechanics if he would help me. He had me to swing the car over to a service bay, filled all four and told me to come back in a week for a check up on the pressure (aluminum rims can be an air suck). No charge, just friendly, helpful assistance. I left there so pleased and grateful for a taste of the old-​timey feel of a neighborhood place. Haven’t had under the hood work done here but would consider it based on the nice factor.

Dave was super helpful! I just needed the latch on my hood tweaked. I dropped in and he helped me right away, didn’t charge me, and was super friendly. I will definitely consider coming back if I have bigger issues in the future!

Man, it ain’t glamorous, but this garage just gets it done and is as honest as they get. I’ve had numerous flat tires fixed within moments of arriving, batteries replaced quickly and tires installed while we waited. Glad to have this station in my neighborhood.
Not a big fan of the inflated gas prices, but that’s the downside of living in the city.

Update: I took the car to Perillo BMW to look at the brakes issue. Result: The rear brakes had the wrong brake pads on them so they replaced them (under warranty). It ends up that Ferris Shell NEVER trimmed down the rear disks. They just charged me for it (Justice!!!)
Thank God for Perillo BMW their awesome staff and warranty work by BMW.
I will be disputing/​reversing half of the charges that Ferris Shell charged me (Go Chase!!!)

During the 2011 Blizzard, my unfriendly neighbor shoveled out his car, which was parked in front of me, and then knocked off my front license plate while shoveling. I put things off until today when I found a ticket for not having a front license plate on the car. I drove to the Shell at Western & Montrose where I go to put air in the tires and asked if they could help me. Within 15 minutes, my plate was restored to its original glory on the front of the car. The attendant was not even going to charge! I am impressed, shocked actually.
I was also shocked when four Chicago firemen shoveled me out of my parking space, a couple of days after my «neighbor» shoveled out his space, damaged my car and then took off. I have duly noted that he is parked now on the street immediately east of my street. I will be looking for parking violations like the one he left me. Living in Chicago, there is always «good» news and «bad» news.

3 stars only cause gas prices all over SUCK!
3 stars for the friendly workers inside. They always seem nice and friendly and actually speak English! Hip Hip… Horray!!!
I don’t know how the service garage is, I’m just ranking this place based on convenience… and service.
Thanks for being in the neighborhood… and for many years of great service!

I would add my accolades to this place. If they can fit me in, I get immediate, high quality and reasonably priced service. I’ve used them many times and they always come through!

When it comes to having cars worked on, there is nothing more I appreciate than honesty and no bullshit. With the temperatures as far below zero as they have been in over a year, tires were getting busted left and right today. When my boy’s tire went flat quickly, it was not how we envisioned spending our Sunday afternoon.
We were able to make it here, fortunately, and had the mechanic let us know that yes, he was swamped, but we could get it fixed. Since my boy is already driving on his spare (with another flat tire), we were kind of SOL when it came to getting another tire. We couldn’t make it anywhere like PepBoys to get a new tire.
At $ 140 for a Wrangler tire, the price wasn’t cheap, but I convinced him for today, with arctic temperatures, it was better than the alternative of walking back to my house, losing some toes, getting my car, going to buy a new tire, and returning to have it changed out.
As luck would have it, the tire didn’t have a hole, the tire had just broken away from the rim. We were able to get it taken off, cleaned out, and put back on. The mechanic told us, thank goodness, he hated anyone having to pay such a premium for tires when they didn’t have to. At so many other places, we would have just had to buy a new tire and wouldn’t have gotten an honest diagnosis.
I was SO appreciative were weren’t taken advantage of, and treated like people and not idiots (I was asking questions since I don’t know a whole lot about cars). Total bill $ 10. It was amazingly fair. I was beyond appreciative.

ferris is a garage full of block headz!!!
i had the worst experience at ferris shell. my car had broke down on the express way. i had it towed to ferris (i was giving my neighborhood shop a try). pedro met me at the door. he said he could fix it. it took him a week to figure out the ignition modules and coil needed to be replaced. this after giving me two other possibilities of what it could be. did i mention they never gave me a written estimate!
not only are they unprofessional but uneducated too. pedro returned the car and the radio didnt work. i asked them to check the fuse. after an hour of searching and staring at the manual they couldnt find it. i went home. next day i took the car to my guys at pit bros in evanston… they found it in two minutes flat. it clearly explained all three fuse boxes and where they were in the book!!!

ferris shell is the light of my life. i live right down the street from it and visit it daily for essentials like gum, diet coke, and newspapers. they also have a fair candy selection, mmm, but no choclate milk or ice cream, which is unfortunate. the people who work there are super friendly. my boyfriend and i love them (he also visitis daily). they’ve fixed my car in record time, too.

This is my service station. I stumbled across it when I needed to get an oil change for my car. I’ve been going to them for 3 years now. I just had some major car work done and I had done there. Sure I could have probably found a place that was a bit cheaper, but to get my car worked on and finished in the same 6 hours, is incredible. I also like the fact that I don’t think they’re trying to cheat me. Yes, I’m a girl and I know very little about cars, but I just have a guy feeling that they’re not trying to one up me.
These guys are great and the best part is, they send you a thank you note for coming into their service station.