Raise a Hood

Don't you wish every time you had a problem, an answer was just a phone call away?

Success Story of the week. Sometimes, all we need is a little guidance. Melissa was telling her friend about the time she felt completely stuck with her 2016 Chrysler 200. She had already poured hundreds of dollars into it—new tires, shocks, struts, and even a professional alignment. But after all this work, the car was pulling to the right, and it was driving her crazy. "I was seriously worried there was something major I was missing," she said. "The thought of spending even more money was really stressing me out." Out of desperation, Melissa decided to give Raise a Hood a try, not knowing what to expect. She was just hoping for some straightforward advice, something she felt had been missing from her previous experiences. "Within minutes, I was connected with a Telemechanic, and honestly, I felt the tension leave my body," she recalled. Her Telemechanic explained that all the work she had done was covered by a nationwide warranty—12 months or 12,000 miles—meaning she could have the car checked again without spending a dime. Core lesson: Ask questions and lean on experts when facing car troubles. Melissa found peace of mind with just a free 10-minute phone call "I couldn’t believe it," she said. "It made me wonder—would another shop have told me that, or would they have turned it into another expensive repair?" That experience taught her that sometimes all you need is a little guidance. A free, 10-minute phone call with Raise a Hood had given her the peace of mind she needed. "It’s like having a mechanic in the family.

We just published our annual "drive used" article for 2024. Take care of your vehicle and hold your depreciating asset longer. It's smart, and it will save you in the long run. https://lnkd.in/gtqQARRi

Our very own Dave Ware and the wonderful Cathy Droz join Frank Leutz this afternoon on WrenchNation.TV. Starts at 6PM CST, or check out the podcast version this weekend. It's three great people all working toward the same end goal; to make the broader automotive sector work smarter, more efficiently, and equally for everyone!

Success story of the week: Diane called us, she had been dreading the day her 2016 Nissan Altima would need major repairs. When the check engine light came on and displayed the infamous “Judder” code (P17F0), signaling a potential CVT transmission failure, she wasn’t sure what to do next. She called RaiseaHood.com for guidance. Telemechanic Jack carefully listened as Diane described the symptoms and shared the error code. Drawing on his expertise, Jack diagnosed a likely internal transmission failure and provided an estimated cost of $4,500 for parts and labor. Setting her expectations, Jack didn’t stop there—he referred her to Bridwell Automotive Ctr in Scottsdale for a professional assessment. As expected, Bridwell’s team confirmed that the transmission needed replacement. However, given the specific nature of the damage, they discovered that her car was still covered under the factory powertrain warranty. In an uncommon and honest move, Bridwell advised Diane to take her Altima to the Nissan dealership for a free replacement under warranty, turning down the repair themselves. Diane was overjoyed—what could have been a $4,500 expense ended up costing her nothing. Core Lesson: Leveraging Raise a Hood’s expertise and working with trustworthy shops like Bridwell Automotive Ctr can save you thousands. Thanks to Jack’s guidance and Bridwell’s integrity, Diane avoided an unnecessary financial hit and got her transmission replaced at no cost under warranty. Lane Bridwell, Dave Ware, Cathy Droz

I huge thanks to LocaliQ | USA TODAY NETWORK and The Arizona Republic | azcentral.com | La Voz for bringing our backstory to life. Special thanks to Bradi Johnson and James Maurer! https://lnkd.in/g6YaZAtF

We had a great event at the Dallas Startup Week. So much so, we're headed back next week to meet with more potential investors. Thanks to the Dallas Startup Week sponsored by Capital One for their amazing program, great program leadership and mentors, Especially Emily Burgess, Pooja Singhania, Jeff Lupinacci, Jeff Murphy & J. Denise Huginnie. https://lnkd.in/gkpTxPeN

Success story of the week.. Our Telemechanic Jeremy received an urgent call from a customer Nick; his 2017 Suburban was suffering from a well-known issue with GM's Active Fuel Management (AFM) system, which deactivates certain cylinders to improve fuel efficiency. While beneficial for gas mileage, the system is notorious for causing premature wear on lifters and camshafts. Nick's engine now needed a costly camshaft and lifter replacement, and the dealership had quoted him an eye-watering $5000 for the repair. Overwhelmed and unable to afford the dealership’s steep repair costs, Nick turned to Raise a Hood. Our Telemechanic got to work and guided Nick step-by-step through the entire repair process. From sourcing the right parts for around $800 to the key DIY steps such as aligning the timing marks. After a weekend of work, Nick completed the repair himself, saving over $4000 in costs. What had once seemed like an insurmountable expense turned into a DIY success story, all thanks to Raise a Hood's guidance. While DIY repair isn’t for everyone, for those who are mechanically inclined and have access to the right tools, it’s a viable and cost-saving option. For others, Raise a Hood is committed to helping customers find alternative solutions, including connecting them with vetted, trustworthy shops or arranging for a mobile mechanic to come to their home. Core lesson: With Raise a Hood, a quick phone call can make the difference between a financial headache and a manageable solution. Our expert Telemechanic advice not only helped Nick cut expenses but also boosted his confidence to tackle future repairs. It's a testament to how complex issues can be turned into straightforward solutions with the right support.

Occasionally, we share success stories about how we’re making automotive maintenance and repair more efficient, helping customers reduce their costs. We hope these brief but important lessons will be useful when unexpected vehicle issues arise... John always took meticulous care of his 2020 Ford Ranger, proud of its pristine condition for his weekend adventures. Unfortunately, after a routine oil change at a local shop, he began noticing a persistent oil drip in his garage. Believing it to be just residual oil, he didn’t think much of it until it continued for weeks. Determined to find the cause, John investigated one Saturday and was dismayed to discover that the engine oil filler cap was missing. Worried about potential engine damage, he rushed to the nearest Ford dealership. There, he learned his truck was only two quarts low on oil and thankfully had no internal damage. However, the cost to clean up the oil, change it, and replace the cap was a whopping $850. It was then John remembered Raise a Hood and our free second opinions offered through Telemechanics and reached out for advice. We reassured him that the likelihood of damage was minimal, but since the work had been done, there wasn't much we could do about the service charge. We did reach out to the dealership; as an act of goodwill they reduce the price $150, however had he contacted us first, he could have topped off the oil, replaced the cap himself, and used over-the-counter engine degreaser to clean up the mess—all for around $50. Core lesson: Always get expert guidance before heading to the shop. John could have saved over $800 and avoided the shop entirely, and the unnecessary stress, by making Raise a Hood his first call.

It's always great when our company receives recognition from industry leaders! Thanks to the Dallas Startup Week sponsored by Capital One!