Merced Firestone Tire and Auto Care

I am writing this review on behalf of my brother, who does not have a Unilocal account. THIS PLACE IS A HUGE RIP OFF AND THEY ONLY CARE ABOUT MAKING MONEY, NOT HELPING PEOPLE. If there was an option to give negative stars, this would be the place to give it to. He needed to get a smog check, and did not pass. This place charged him $ 100 JUST TO PLUG IN A COMPUTER for a diagnostic test, in which most places it would be free, hence the term «free diagnostic.» Then they start adding all of these things that were completely over priced, on top of the over priced labor which was over $ 200 to tighten what they listed as a «spark plug found loose» and replacing a gasket. After hours of waiting and no one updating him on the status of his car, it was ready for smog, and over $ 800 later, DID NOT PASS! We then took his car to another place, were told all he needed was a CAT, spent under $ 200 and was able to pass smog. If you want a fair price and good customer service, as well as people who care about your car, DO NOT COME HERE!!!

Horribly I mean horribly slow. I made an appointment, due to I had other things todo that day. Took then almost 6 HOURS I repeat 6HOURS to change 8 tires! I understand partly that they are 33 inch tire but Costco did it for me before an it took an hour an half not 6 HOURS! I will never return, and to think I had heard good thing and was referred here. So much for that.

NOT A «PARTICIPATING STORE». They will not take corporate Firestone coupons!

Great place to have your car smogged. They quoted me an hour and were done in 30 min. I walked across the street to
Barnes and noble and read while they did their thang. Also the smog was CHEAP! $ 30 including the cert.

I came here 3 times and was not able to get a smog check. The first time I called ahead to ask if they did smog checks, which they said they do, and what time they closed, which they told me 5pm. So I get there around 4:15pm and the guy at the front desk tells me that I can’t get a smog because «that car you see driving away, yeah that’s our technician.» Why they didn’t tell me that the tech was gonna be leaving an hour before they closed is beyond me.
So I came back a second time, but in the morning to make sure this would not happen again. I called before I came in to make sure the tech was there and he was. I get there and they tell me they are having problems connecting to the DMV so they can’t do a smog. Then the girl adds «yeah we’ve been having this problem all morning». Ok so why didn’t you tell me when I was on the phone with you not that long ago asking about the smog check? Once again I don’t understand this lack of communication.
So I came back a third time, a Monday, and they tell me their technician has the day off.
I’m sorry but that’s a little much. I don’t have the time nor money to be driving to you three times and still not get a smog check.
If you want a smog done fast GO TO SMILEYS!!! at the shell station on Martin Luther king and 13^th. Right next to in n out. These guys are fast and are open when they say they are open. Also if you bring a coupon from Merced sunstar (or you can get it online) the smog is only $ 29.75 CHEAPER THAN FIRESTONE!!! and if you don’t pass it’s free.

I vow on everything that I will never return to this place. If there was an option to give negative star ratings this place would have been a prime candidate for it.
A 30 – 45 min oil change turned into a 1 hr 30 min! It wasn’t even busy. This was my first time here and definitely my last. I usually do my oil changes in Turlock at 10 min Lube but was out in Merced and decided to stop in based on Unilocal reviews and boy was I disappointed. I’m a very patient person and can tolerate a wait if I someone atleast acknowledges the fact I am waiting and gives me updates on what is going on because that is what good customer svc is about, right?
Staff was nice at first when they took my info to get me set up but thereafter let me languish in the waiting area without ever giving me an update on my car. I checked in multiple times with the staff and each time was told its almost done. At 1 hr 30 min I told them to cut the BS I have places to go and was told that they had to send a runner to purchase the oil filter but the person was on their way back so my vehicle will be done soon. WTF? 1 hr 30 min to buy a filter? Honestly I think the mechanic was not familiar with working on a BMW x5. They were to do nothing else but change the oil… how could that take 1 hr 30 min?
Again I’m not a difficult person, but the customer service was ridiculous not to mention I had an appointment that I was going to run late for because they couldn’t buy a damn oil filter in the 1 hour that they were working on my vehicle.

I noticed my tire was looking a little flat so I filled it up at the gas station then headed over to Merced Firestone. Tire repair was quoted at $ 15, but turns out the rim had made a hole in the tire that was not repairable. The staff was friendly and I didn’t feel like they were trying to up-​sell me anything. They didn’t have my size tire in store, so I asked them to put on my spare since I wanted to shop around for replacements.

Professional and personable. I’m usually intimidated by auto shops, but the staff was very informative and welcoming; and that was after I made a miscalculation which caused a mini-​crisis. This is a great place to know about.

Smog check and Oil Change
I got a smog check and oil change here. I don’t like doing either, but the staff made the experience a nice one.
They were quick with the oil change and smog check, and the special oil filters I needed were quickly picked up at the local Kragen (200 feet away) without any hassles. (unlike Jiffy Lube)
The cost was fair and they were very friendly. I got to watch some logger’s documentary on the History channel while I waited. The waiting area is very comfortable.
The atmosphere was very clean and welcoming. No issues.
I didn’t get a chance to see their restrooms. I forgot to check those. I’m not even sure they had one.
Overall, the experience was excellent. I’m sure to come back here for oil changes and smog checks.
Great job Firestone!

I used to go to Toyotech but it’s way across town so I tried Firestone and I refuse to go anywhere else ever again.
The staff is extremely nice, courteous and knowledgeable without talking down to you or making you feel like you are being scammed for more money or repairs than you really need. They exude all the security and trust you are looking for in a car repair shop.
While «Firestone» might mean tires to most people, they are a full-​service auto repair with pick-​up and delivery service while your car is being worked on.

I’m pretty new to taking care of a car by myself without having my dad check things first, so I wanted to find someone I could trust in Merced. Someone who would make sure my car wouldn’t explode, and who wouldn’t over-​charge me because I’m not local.
Merced Firestone is that place. I go there for my oil change, when my tires are leaking, when my car is making a funny sound, stuff like that. Occasionally I go to the Toyota dealership for parts, but generally the guys in the service area there are not very friendly/​responsive/​helpful, and I end up feeling like I’m imposing on them by trying to spend money.
Anywho, go there. While you’re waiting (generally a pretty short wait), sit on the hard bench and watch tv, or walk to Lowe’s, or if it’s a long wait, ask if someone can drive you home/​downtown.

I just had the smog service done, which is a pain anyway. The staff was friendly and helpful, the service was good, and the price competitive. One perk to going there is that it’s located in a shopping center so you can spend your time shopping rather than sitting in a waiting room, which is what I did. I will go back again.