Cardinal Plaza Shell

Had my Toyota minivan serviced there in an emergency (replaced radiator and coolant hose).
Let’s start with the good:
— very friendly
— offer free shuttle service so you can drop your car off and they will drive you home.
Now the bad. On my way home from work (26 Oct), my car blew a coolant hose going into the radiator. Had to be towed since the engine overheated and went to the closest service station (Cardinal plaza shell). The next morning, I got a call with all the things wrong with my car and the cost for each — which ranged from $ 1,100-$ 5,000. I chose the cheaper end just to get me back on the road — replace the radiator and hose. Picked up the vehicle later that evening. Everything was fine until two weeks later. Engine was overheating again — all the coolant had leaked out. Have been refilling it in the morning before driving to work and again before heading home until I could get some time away from work to fix it permanently. This morning (18 Nov), the engine overheated and the coolant hadn’t leaked out.
So my take on Cardinal shell:
— extremely overpriced. Radiator ($ 443) /​labor ($ 584)
— temporarily fixed the problem and wants to charge again to fix the «new» problem.
Recommend going elsewhere for car services. I will not be back again.

My Family always takes our cars here. It started with first it being close, and my father had taken his newer Toyota for «free» service at the dealership, and was told there was 1500 dollars worth of things wrong. He took a print out of the list to Shell and they laughed… they showed us that 5 of the 10 things don’t exist on his model. They checked the rest, said, nothing is wrong, and said comeback if you need, no charge. This has happened many times with other issues, Toyota’s, dodge, Subaru’s, ford’s and a Honda. Each time a dealership would say that something is required, or that your warranty will be void if you don’t let us fix this expensive thing. Each time shell would look at it, contact the manufacture, prove the dealership wrong. 20 years later we have moved, and still return to Cardinal Plaza Shell. Chris and John have taken care of our automotive needs since they had just got out of high school.

I’ve used them for all of my repairs on 3 cars for 4 years now and have never had a problem. They will call before doing extra work as well as make recommendations, but if I chose not to have it done they are fine and don’t pressure me.
I use them for xx mile work on my Honda van and it now has 200,000 miles on it.

Im here to rave about their new BlackCard Service and George who got hired for this job. Basically, they will come and pick up your car to get it fix and will drop it off for you when its finish. This is awesome, i dont think even highend car shop will do this for their clients. Overall, they did a normal job on small services that i needed but their attention to custmomer services is better than most out there.

My car broke down near the station. Cardinal Plaza Shell fixed my car free of charge. Cameron was absolutely wonderful, professional, and helpful. I highly recommend this station.

I agree with Greg F on his review and if I could give this place a negative star, then I would. We trusted this place with our basic oil changes and inspections and then one year, we find that our inspection failed due to the brakes on a car that was less than 4 years old and less than 45K miles. Sadly and trustingly we had them install new brakes and ROTORs. seriously how bad could brakes be when the rotors too need replacing. I’m NOT an expert but I know enough about cars and car parts. Walked away with a ‘pass sticker’ that costs us $ 600+
Fast forward 2 years, and the SAME brakes need replacing along with rotors. Had to get to the bottom of this and went to our trusted and honest mechanic at KC Automotive. yes, folks, look at my review for KC, go there because you will get someone who cares and who is honest enough to educate you and go above and beyond.
I thought something was wrong when one of the brake pads was laying on my driveway. yup folks, why would a metal pad be laying on my driveway… all the while my rotors are being trashed. After calling and speaking to Cameron, who gave me the salesy script that they warranty 2 years or 24K miles and that they could not explain why a brake pad ‘fell off my car’ unless they looked at it. I explained my lack of faith in their work. I learned from my mechanic that sticky calipers were the cause of the wear/​tear on my brake pad. They kept getting stuck, so now we have to replace.
When I asked Shell why they didn’t notice this when they replaced it 2 years ago, I of course, got the song and dance that this only happened recently… really…I’m positive that they failed to detect this problem but instead just replaced pads/​rotors.
I talked to another neighbor who told me that she was given a quote of almost $ 3K at this Cardinal shell then she took her car to KC Automotive and got the same repair for $ 300…
We trust mechanics and trusting a gas station is probably asking too much. It’s an expensive lesson learned but I will be sure to alert others in my hood to either find an honest service station versus believing a gas station whose only priority is to make sure they get your money and keep you coming back.

Fast friendly honest service with great extended hours. Only issue is their gas pumps reject debit and credit cards at the pump. Then you have to go inside and pay. Hope they can fix this!

After spending several thousand dollars over the last 2 years at Cardinal Plaza Shell, I will never let them repair my vehicles again. Over the past year, they always seem to be trying to sell me unnecessary repairs and parts. Now I have proof that this is absolutely true.
I used to be a Fleet manager for 60 Delivery vans, because the vans routes involved considerable stop and go driving, we had to change brake pads every 20 – 25,000 miles, but we did not have to change the rotors until at least 50K miles. These vehicles were on what as known as «severe duty maintenance schedules».
A year and a half ago, my Toyota Highlander, needed new brakes and rotors, this was after 106K miles. Cardinal Shell did the work.
I asked them to replace the front brake pads, after 45Kmiles on 8÷3÷13, but this time I measured the rotors to make sure that they were in“Spec”, which they were. Cardinal Shell tried to sell me not only front brakes, but also rotors, when I told them not to machine the rotors and just replace the pads, they refused. Why? because machining would have put the Rotors slightly below «Spec», this way they could sell me $ 320 of rotors. It is not necessary to machine the rotors each time you replace the pads, unless you want to put the rotors out of «Spec» and sell additional parts and labor.
Two months ago I had my 2010 Toyota Corolla in for oil change and tire rotation, the car had 25K miles on it. The car was hardly driven over the last year, but Cardinal Shell told me the Transmission fluid was dirty. They then proceeded to sell me a Transmission service for $ 240. When I checked the Service manual, Toyota does not even recommend replacing the Transmission fluid until 100K miles. NOW I KNOW I WAS RIPPED OFF ON THIS SERVICE ALSO.
Cardinal Shell at one time used to be an honest shop, it is not anymore, the owner does not seem to care that the people he has running service are now in the business of RIPPING OFF UNKNOWING AND UNSUSPECTING CONSUMERS.

Sadly, I must disagree with Charles on this place. I am glad he had a positive experience here and wish I had as well. I did not though and here is my situation:
I brought the car in for an exhaust fix. I knew I had a hole in the tailpipe where a welded bracket broke off. To pass my emissions inspection this had to be resolved. That being said, I explained to the guy that within the past year my transmission had been flushed, my brakes were changed and my lines bled, my oil was just done and that I knew that I needed a new windshield and tires soon but all I was concerned about was the exhaust. I also stated that due to the fact the car is only worth between $ 600 and $ 800, I refuse to pay more than the car is worth for the repair. I also let him know that my exhaust system was replaced within the past five years and when they replaced it they welded the muffler to the piped on both sides. I would not pay for a new muffler, that they needed to cut the tailpipe and re-​weld if they would not patch the pipe.
So, the following day we get a call with the quote. $ 650 for a new muffler and tailpipe. They basically wanted to replace from the catalytic converter back as that is where the clamp was. They just wanted to loosen the clamp and apply a whole new setup under this thing. We already talked about that so now they are wasting my time… and theirs for that matter. On top of it, they quoted me a transmission flush, brake line bleed, and get this, battery terminal cleaning. Seriously? I had just replaced my battery in the past year, cleaned the terminals when I did (I worked in automotive before, common practice) and was deployed for a majority of the year so the car wasn’t even being used. All this came to well over $ 1000 and all I needed was a simple fix.
Bottom line, they tried to gouge me. Bad! I brought it to Midas and they fixed it up and did the emissions inspection and it was under $ 150 for both. I maintain my vehicle and I know what has been done and what needs to be as I have worked in automotive. On the flip side, the people were really nice. When I got frustrated the said no need to get upset, it’s just a quote and said other shops were around, just give them a call. Clearly they wanted my service, but they also didn’t want me getting upset so I will give them credit where credit is due.
Oh, my car also runs very well on Shell gas. It is more expensive so I rarely get gas here… but my car does appreciate and lets me know this by its performance.
This is a convenient location and to be honest, based on customer service… I would bring another vehicle to get a quote. If they were rude, no, but they were not. Based off all the other reviews I would be willing to give them a second chance as I can’t actually base anything off of quality of work.

I have brought my car here numerous times for various issues — every time the staff is consistent: friendly, respectful, up front, prompt. Oh yeah, they are also the same people year after year allowing you to develop a trust with them. I have never had a major issue, have had a minor problem once but the resolved it quickly and without charge.
This place is a great place if you need auto help, and check them out in the holidays because I think they must double the power bill with all the lights they put up!

Pumps look well maintained, quick service, but what really caught my eye was the well maintained surroundings. Landscaping looked pro and was beautiful — really made it stand out.

Easy to get in, find a pump, fill up, and leave.

Need an honest quote for your car? Then come visit the Cardinal Forest Shell Gas Station. The service department did not pass my VA state inspection. I was not surprised as I knew there were a few issues to my car.
They recommended that I fix my rear brake pads /​rotors. However, the repair quote (parts and labor) was expensive! Given the simple DIY fix, I was able to resolve the issue myself and save money!
As a result of their expertise my car is safer and I passed inspection upon re-​visiting the Cardinal Forest Shell Gas Station.

I’ve taken my car here for regular oil changes and they have always been quick and very reasonably priced. They also put new tires on my car for a fair price even though I didn’t buy the tires from them. They’re conveniently open late and on Sundays.

Do not come here for any car repairs… very unprofessional and overpriced. In the process of fixing an electrical issue with my power window, they scratched off a chunk of the window tint and did not issue any refund or compensation for their mishap. Furthermore, after one week that my window was repaired, it did not function again. They charged me addtional $$$ to have this repaired even though it should have been fixed the 1^st time.
STAY AWAY

We have been taking our cars here for years. They have always been honest, efficient and timely with our car repairs. They will offer you a ride home if you drop your car off for repairs, and they let you drop your car off for the safety inspection so you don’t have to wait in line. During the holidays, they have elaborate, eye catching decorations. All in all a reliable, honest place for car repairs. Oh yeah-​they also have free tire air so you don’t have to dig for quarters.

This Shell station should be rewarded as the most FESTIVE gas station in the area!
They seriously go way overboard on holiday decorations, from Halloween to Thanksgiving to now, Christmas.
I can’t imagine the amount of energy needed to sustain over SIX balloon displays on their roof and on their lawn plus yards upon yards of lights and other light-​up decorations.
Wasteful? Yes. Tacky? Maybe a little. Eye-​catching? Yes.
While summer may not be filled with holidays, but this Shell has water fountains flowing and flowers growing along the intersection of Old Keene Mill Road and Rolling Road. Perhaps the manager is also a landscape designer?
5 Stars for creativity and upkeep of the grounds.