Sal’s Westheimer Auto Service

With great upset and disappointment I update my review of this shop for the third time since my initial review almost two years ago on January 16, 2014. I am doing so today because:
1. The shop unprofessionally mishandled a simple brake pad inspection/​replacement request back around January 16, 2014.
2. Upon seeing my negative review, the owner, Sal, called me to apologize and asked me to remove the post in return for complimentary service.
3. Giving the shop the benefit of doubt, I edited my initial negative review and replaced it with the redeeming 4-​star one you can see below dated February 19, 2014. Unfortunately, I was naïve and wrong about the shop after all. Today, I found that the «quality» replacement brake pads that Sal’s put on my car have already deteriorated. I have only driven ~13,000 miles under gentle condition since my last visit here two years ago. Also, I found a fake replica of my February 19, 2014 Unilocal review on Google under username «Owais Durrani». I highly suspect foul play and believe someone in the shop is engaged in serious conflict of interest to artificially boost the shop’s online ratings. I will attach a screenshot as a photo proof.
Back January 16, 2014, I visited this business when the brake pads on my 2010 Honda Accord started squealing. I asked the gentleman at the front desk to have them inspected and replace as necessary. After a while, he came back to inform me that the pads still have plenty of life left. When I asked why they were squealing, he rambled on about the inferiority of stock Honda brake pads and said they sometimes screech when heated up. While that sounded quite odd to me, I didn’t want to stir up a debate and left the shop with doubt in mind.
Shortly thereafter, I started hearing constant screeching from the vicinity of the brake pad even when the brake pedal was not engaged. I took the car back for a follow-​up inspection only to hear the shop flip flop and tell me that not only were the brake pads worn but the rotors also needed to be replaced. At this point, I was pretty upset and asked if the shop can replace using genuine Honda parts at no charge. However, not only did they refuse to fix free of charge but they also insisted on using «superior» aftermarket ceramic brake pads. Looking back at it now, I don’t know why I didn’t say good-​bye and go to another shop.
Upon seeing my negative review, the owner Sal called me and tried to make up for the mistake as described in #2 above. Giving the shop the benefit of doubt — believing that one sloppy mechanic employee may not be representative of the entire business — I gave the shop 4-​stars. Turns out I was wrong after all.
Thankfully, I now live in a different city and won’t have to cross paths with this place again. While some of the «shining» reviews here on Unilocal may be real, I am very suspicious about manipulated rating inflation.
Buyer beware.

I cannot say enough wonderful things about Sal’s, and I have referred numerous people here. I’ve had both my Prius and my Aztec serviced here over the past 7 years. Very thorough. They do an excellent job… their diagnostics are awesome. If they cannot help you, they will be honest and tell you that upfront instead of taking your money to perform work that isn’t necessary. I had my Prius completely die out on me electrically a couple of years ago, and they were upfront with telling me that they could not run any tests on the car if the Prius would not power on. I wound up getting it fixed at the dealership for free due to a recall on the water gasket that leaked into hybrid system. Sal’s could have easily charged me money for leaving the car with them for the day or ran erroneous tests that would have gone nowhere, but they didn’t. They have saved me a lot of money over the years, and most importantly– TIME! My boyfriend also took his car in to Sal’s after calling around, and this is the only shop that asked him diagnostic questions to narrow down the issue he was having. On top of that, since his car wouldn’t be ready for awhile due to the holiday week, they were gracious enough to let him use a loaner car in the meantime. You guys are amazing. Aside from my dealership, this is the only place I take any of my cars to if I’m having an issue.

I chose this place to get my annual state inspection because it had lots of glowing 5-​star reviews here, and it is close to home. While the state inspection was fine, Sal told me that my front brakes were «metal on metal.» I had just had my rear brakes done at my usual Volvo mechanic’s and they said nothing about it. Sal also asked if I had heard strange sounds from the front end. I replied that I wasn’t sure, maybe. He said that I had a strut that was going bad and needed to be replaced. However, even with these HUGE SAFETY CONCERNS, my car passed the inspection. I am so glad I decided to wait and did not have any work done.
The next day, I heard a few weird sounds from the front end. They got worse very quickly, so I took the car back to my regular mechanic, expecting the worst. They discovered that a small metal plate had been bent in such a way that it was contacting a rotor, and that was what was making the noise. He simply unbent the plate, the noise was gone. Struts are fine. No charge. OH, and he said the front brakes will need to be replaced, but not until my next oil change in about 3,000 miles.
SO – no noise before going to Sal’s. Sal plants the seed asking if I’ve heard a noise. Then I start hearing a noise. New noise after going to Sal’s. NICE TRY! I totally believe that they were setting me up, and created a false problem so that I would come back in a panic. Not going back, betrayal of trust. Their state inspection was perfectly adequate, but if you go there, hang on to your wallet and get a second opinion.

Got work done fast, checked everything thoroughly, very clean shop and professional treatment by Sal and Eddie. BTW 30 $ oil change is non synthetic. Synthetic is at 69 $.(approx)
Did not try to oversell and I would definitely recommend this place to a friend.

This guy has great service, amazing prices, and the best work. They stand behind their work and what great work it is. I had heard a lot of good things about them, but after going their, I can see that it was all true.

Now that I feel like a big boy who has screwed his car up a good amount of times and taken it to several places because of it, I can say this is the greatest place I’ve been.
No nonsense. Fast. Fair. Honest (as in doesn’t do crap that you dont need if you don’t want it).
They were referred to me by someone who has been in the area forever and she was right.
My mom goes there. My sister goes there. I send all my friends there. I signed up for Unilocal to write this.

Sal’s Automotive tucked behind exxon on Westheimer…
First of all this place has very good coffee. Been a customer since 2002 with my handed me down Nissan Maxima and these guys, particularly Sal and Roger, pinpointed the problem within a minute of hearing what the problem was. This place is professional, efficient, clean and the staff is the best in town. I highly recommend Sal’s Auto for your auto repairs or oil changes and you will drive away happy smiling and satisfied!

I have been going to Sals since 2012 for my Honda Insight. I was very very skeptical about his business after the nastiness I experienced at Russel and smith Mazda (see previous reviews) as well as at John Eagle Honda. Yes I know– dealerships suck!
Fortunately for all of you who like me are absolutely tired of being treated rudely by greedy insensitive car dealerships for maintainence work there is Sals! Sal himself is a very friendly guy and I have never felt disrespected or treated rudely. His prices are fair; they are not cheap if you want cheap work go elsewhere but he definitely will not eye gouge you. Quality work for a very fair price is what I have noticed I get at Sals. Just look at his reviews people!

I replaced the clutch on my car in another store and when I picked the car up the Check Engine light was on. They lied to me and told me the Check Engine Light came on before they did any work on the car, but they told me not to worry as they checked the O2 sensors and they were ok. They said that the light would magically go away after driving it for a while. The engine light not only didn’t go away, but stalled on me 3 times, it was idling rough, felt like it was choking, so I took it back. After 2 days, they gave up on me and told me the computer is bad because it thought the O2 sensors were bad.
Took the car and brought it to Sal’s. 30 minutes after I dropped it off, he called me and said to me «Whoever replaced your clutch, did a lousy job. When they put the transmission in, they accidentally cut the O2 sensor wires and instead of replacing them, they tried to clap them back together». My circumstances were that I needed the car to be fixed as soon as possible as I was shipping it overseas the next day. One day later at 8 AM, I got a call saying «Your car is ready».
Wish I had known Sal’s before.

I work at a major energy company a block and a half from Sal’s and I have been having my vehicles serviced there for years. The first time I went to Sal’s I had an older Chevy truck with a busted muffler. I had already gone to another mechanic that said I would have to have the entire exhaust system replaced including the, catalectic converter. When I had Sal look at it I didn’t mention the fact that I had already taken it to someone else. He told me that a hold was punched in the muffler and also recommended that I replace the rusted tail pipe. I took his advice and got the work done for way less then I would have paid the other guy.
I recently got a new car and went to the dealer for the first oil change because it was free. I had to make an appointment for the service. I got there a few minutes before schedule and still had to wait a couple of hours to get a simple oil change. I only go to Sal’s now no matter what offers the dealers send me in the mail. I just drop my car off and go to my office. Usually in a few minutes I get a call from Sal’s letting me know it ready.
Whenever I had to have a part replaced they take the time to find the best at the best price possible.
Sal’s let you know that they appreciate your business.

Had my car serviced here a few years ago and they somehow got a hold of my checking information and charged $ 600 bucks on god knows what. luckily, the bank was able to refund the STOLEN funds. Go around the corner to Danny’s. He’s much nicer and I’ve never been taken advantage of… because you know… I’m a woman at an auto shop and I know absolutely nothing about cars.

After some other reviewer so pathetically messaged me to try to call me shallow for not updating and suggesting that the CEL was a mere gas cap, I have to say that NO, it was not a mere gas cap but a failed catalytic converter. Luckily, I was able to have my father fix it for way less than I’d pay at any shop. Needless to say, my car is a piece of crap, Sal’s is amazing, and I’m lucky to have a dad that knows how to do small repairs on older cars.
I had to bring my beetle to Sal’s again in December and I told them to just do everything that needed to be done because I trusted them. When I got my car back, is was like I was driving a brand new ride!
And then three weeks later some monster made a left hand turn into my car without taking into account any oncoming traffic and now it’s been in a collision shop for a month. But when I get it back it’ll be like its super new!
Thanks Sal’s! This is definitely my go-​to place for car repairs!

Great place! I’m from Fort Worth, down here for the week and my water pump went out. Didn’t know where to go or who to trust. Went to Unilocal and found sals and let me just say this place is great! Very honest and reasonable. Thank you so much sal for taking care of me and my truck so quickly and professionally:) I wish I had a mechanic shop like this in Fort Worth!

I recently moved from NJ to Houston for a great job offer at MD Anderson.
So when I had to register my 1998 280C, for Texas sticker and plates, I googled this repair shop and took a chance on the reviews. Boy am I glad! Sal’s is the most reputable, honest, fantastically professional customer service car repair shop ever.
They have come to my rescue on several occassions, once on my way to work I had a flat on 610 in the pouring rain. I have never had flat tire in my life and I was scared. They sent a mechanic (David) within 15 minutes and he installed my spare took the flat back to the shop to fix, no charge.
When I got my new license plates they installed them and even changed the tailight bulb. Guess what no charge. Who does that in this day and age?
When your car is in the care of these professionals, best be sure you are safe and sound they check every bell and whistle. It is very comforting to know I can count on these guys, Edd Pickett, Sal, Raul the whole staff thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I’ve been working on vehicles for years and have always done my own work… relenquishing control and feeling comfortable with someone else and my vehicle has always been a problem from dozens of bad run-in’s with poor quality mechanics that are usually lazy, stupid, and extortionists.
This shop on the other hand is run the right way period. These guys reek of professionalism – they are truly masters of their craft, know how to treat customers and bust their ass like the folks do in the oil patch to get things done ASAP no questions asked, no excuses. Prices are reasonable, staff is friendly, and if or when they screw up, they own up to it and fix it. Sal’s is the only shop I’ll ever use in this city – and they deserve the credit where it’s due.

The Edd guy is a real idiot. I went here BC it’s really close to my place and read a lot of good reviews here. I went here two or three times for pretty standard stuff, inspection, oil change, checks. The first time, Edd told me my struts were dead I had to replace all four asap. I checked at my girlfriend’s friend’s auto shop and didnt even think they needed to be replaced. The last time he told me my back tires were slick like race tires. I got them about eight months ago and still had warranty if in fact they were as dangerous as he claimed, but he still kept yapping about how they were fake and that they wouldn’t guarantee my three year warranty like an idiot and that he could replace my tires on my 150k accord and would last 3 – 4 years. And mentioned nothing about my apparently shot struts. He keeps trying to sell me all this crap and I don’t trust him worth a lick. I started to argue with him the last time and just eventually stopped while he kept trying to sell me seemingly anything he could and yapping away like a chihuahua or something. Don’t trust him, and he’s always been super annoying and rude. I met Sal once when I picked up my car. Seemed super nice, and I wish I dealt with him BC all these good reviews I read have been about him. I’m not great with cars so take advice seriously, but after a few times, you realize this rude fool is just trying to sell anything out of his butt. I know I won’t be going back no matter how close it is, and unfortunately the apparently nice Sal can’t save me as a customer any longer after dealing with his a hole employees. I looked at my back tires. They were a tiny bit more worn than my front ones but dang ‘like race tires’? Nah. Don’t trust him. And yes they passed the penny test. Ugh…

I am very, very pleased with this place. I’ve heard people talk about the excellent service at Sal’s but I’ve never needed any repairs until recently. I needed the serpentine belt replaced on my engine and I also wanted to have the compressor for my A/​C replaced. I decided to take my car to Sal’s mainly because I live nearby and I didn’t think my car would be able to make it to any place else.
Sal, himself, helped me get checked in. I asked that they look at my car and to please call me with an estimate. I got the call about an hour later informing me that I had more than just the A/​C and belt issues. However, after going over the necessary repairs (and incredibly reasonable pricing!) I asked that they go ahead with the repairs.
They called a few hours later to let me know that my car was fixed and that it all came in right at the estimated price.
I have peace of mind knowing that I have an honest, dependable mechanic less than 2 blocks from my house. I look forward to using Sal’s again in the future!
I highly recommend!

It’s difficult to find an honest auto repair shop in Houston, and one that’s reasonably priced in the Galleria area is even more rare! Come here for all of your auto needs– They will take excellent care of you.

My 2007 Toyota Camry was having some issues and a local dealership was terribly incapable of finding the problem, so I ended up at Sal’s after checking reviews.
I am so glad I went there! They handled the maintenance recommended by the dealership at half the cost, and found several other problems that the dealership hadn’t found (seriously…they missed a broken alternator)
Sal’s called me with a total estimate before doing any work and talked me through the issues. I felt 100% comfortable that they would take any time necessary for me to understand what was wrong and how to fix it. They charged half of what the dealership quoted. The dealership recommended a power steering fluid flush, and Sal’s showed me that it was completely unnecessary (when they could’ve easily charged me for it). They also used an air gun to clean out my air filter so it will last longer instead of charging me to put in a new one. I dropped off my car in the morning and they had all of the work done by about 2pm!
On top of all that, they offer a 12,000mile/12month warranty on their service. I’m very happy with their service, their helpfulness, and their shop. I will definitely be back.

I was having trouble with my car (2002 Chevy Prizm/​Toyota Corolla), specifically a rough idle, poor acceleration, and decreased gas mileage (engine code: P0171).
I had brought it to both AAMCO and Firestone first to get it diagnosed. AAMCO gladly repaired the symptoms without fixing the root cause (so the symptoms resurfaced just a week later), and Firestone ran up over $ 1k in charges that didn’t help at all. When Firestone said I needed to replace my catalytic converter, at a cost of over $ 700, I decided it was time to try someone else.
Sal’s had my car for two days before they gave me a solution to the problem, and I’m glad they did. They checked absolutely everything: they did a smoke test to check for leaks, they read the voltage on my mass airflow sensor, they checked to make sure my oxygen sensor was actually reading the air/​fuel ratio correctly, and finally, they checked my fuel injectors (ding! ding! ding!).
Sal called and told me I needed my fuel injectors replaced at a cost of roughly $ 700, including diagnostic labor. Is this individual repair any cheaper than anywhere else? No, probably not, but a good mechanic isn’t about the cost of an individual repair, but whether or not they get their diagnosis right on the first try, and Sal’s is very careful about that second part.
In other words, you won’t save money on a specific job, but rather because they won’t charge you for work that doesn’t need to be done, and that’s what separates the good shops from the bad ones.
*********************NOTE***********************
My car broke down just a few days after I got it back from Sal’s. Do I think that they were responsible for this? Absolutely not. An ignition coil failed, and I don’t know how they could have rigged that, but in the interest of full-​disclosure, this did happen.
I had my car towed to Sal’s, they diagnosed the problem, and I had it fixed at a reasonable cost.
***********WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR********
I paid $ 90 each for two OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) ignition coils. This means that these are manufactured by the same company who made the coils the car came off the line with.
What I GOT, however, were O.E.M. ignition coils; as in, literally, the brand named themselves after this acronym to confuse people (the company is called Original Engine Management). These are cheap products, made in China, that I could have bought for $ 30 on Amazon.
I highly doubt that Sal’s did this on purpose, but rather that their parts supplier is ripping them off, so I’m not going to deduct a star. Even with cheap parts, my car has been running just fine. Still, though, watch out for this. If any parts you get have ‘OEM’ printed on them, they are definitely not «original equipment manufactured».