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We've updated our hours!
We are now open on Sunday from 9:00am to 4:00pm.… read more
Free Hotdog & Car Consults, Open to the Public!
Catch us for a free drive-in hotdog anytime you… read more
Come check us out in San Mateo.
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Eco-friendly
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Veteran-owned & operated
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Walk-ins welcome
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Review Highlights
“I spoke with Oscar and he told me they were pretty booked but if I came back around 11am that he would work with me.” in 24 reviews
“I had high expectations of the San Mateo Stress-Free Auto Care given my positive experiences in Menlo Park.” in 22 reviews
“Sanjeev was great in explaining everything and keeping me updated on the status of our car.” in 14 reviews
About the Business
Business owner information
![Photo of Sanjeev P.](https://s3-media0.fl.yelpcdn.com/buphoto/m_G0uh2vm3rDoHPj4BFGdQ/90s.jpg)
Sanjeev P.
Stress Free Auto Care was established to take the stress out of auto care with easy appointments, regular text updates, and extensive pictures and live video feed of your service. All invoices and inspections are emailed to you as well as and stored in the cloud for your records. Most importantly, our team is experienced, knowledgeable, and will always put the customer first. We are San Mateo's top-rated & trusted auto repair destination.Our Auto Service offerings include Brake Repair, Brake Pads and Rotors replacement, Brake Caliper replacement, Car Maintenance, Brake flush, Wheel Alignment, Air Conditioning repair, Engine Diagnostic, Check engine light diagnosis, Car Starter System Repair, Belts & Hose Replacement, Transmission repair, Transmission flush, Shocks & Struts, Battery Replacement, Tire Rotation, Wheel Balance, Oil Change, Tire Repair, Tire Installation. We also offer a large variety of tires that fit everyone's needs and budget, including Cooper Tires, Michelin Tires, BFGoodrich Tires, Yokohama Tires, Uniroyal Tires, Goodyear Tires, Bridgestone Tires, Continental Tires, Falken Tires, Firestone Tires, Hankook Tires, and Kumho Tires. We currently service customers from San Mateo, Burlingame, Belmont, Foster City, San Carlos, and surrounding area. We are proud to be known as a friendly, local and veteran owned auto repair business with deep roots in our community. At Stress-Free Auto Care, you are dealing with local people but with a nationwide warranty plan.
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Do you do wheel alignment?
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Overall rating
220 reviews
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- Greg P.San Mateo, CA1373724Jun 16, 2024
I originally had an appointment for a Sunday (father's day) but decided to take my chances with taking my vehicle in for a "walk-in".
I spoke with Oscar and he told me they were pretty booked but if I came back around 11am that he would work with me. True to his word, he did.
I realize that appointments are preferred, but when you're in a crunch and you have people who are willing to work with you then it makes for a good first impression.
I will definitely be back for future services with Stress Free Auto Services.Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 1Oh no 0Business owner information
Stress Free
Jun 18, 2024
Thanks for sharing your experience! It's great to hear that Oscar could help you out and make things work despite the busy schedule. We're thrilled that you had a positive first impression, and we look forward to seeing you again for future services. Thank you and have a wonderful Stress-Free day!
- Joel M.Belmont, CA014Aug 6, 2024
Had a coupon for an Oil Change at a great price.
They honored the coupon and did a great job. Kept me informed at all times via text.
Did not try and up sell me other services that I didn't need.
Recommended.Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0Business owner information
Danielle H.
Aug 7, 2024
We're so glad to hear you had a positive experience with us! It's great that you found the oil change to be a good value and appreciated our communication throughout the process. We're happy to know that we met your expectations without trying to upsell unnecessary services. Thank you for recommending us, and have a wonderful Stress-Free day!
- Chuck W.San Mateo, CA1589Aug 18, 2024
WARNING: THEIR ALIGNMENT MACHINE IS (ironically) OUT OF ALIGNMENT. AVOID.
First, I have to say that the people running the place are very personable and the webcam to watch your car being worked on is a neat, modern touch.
However, no matter how nice of an establishment this place may be, it can't be ignored that their inadequately maintained equipment ended up costing me hundreds of dollars in new tires and new alignment.
Of course I'll give the details, because it pains me to have to negatively review a place so I won't do it without good reason. To wit:
I came to Stress Free late last year to get a 4-wheel alignment for my AWD vehicle after rolling over some of the potholes left by the heavy rains from earlier in the year. As mentioned, the customer intake experience was fine, and while the cost of the service was arguably higher than average, they finished on time and provided the expected chart of results, stating that one of the aligning bolts in my car had been bent which meant that my car was left with a non-correctable slight pull. They offered (without any pushiness) to order a new part to fix this but stated clearly that a new alignment would cost the full price. No worries there, but I passed on the offer.
A short while later it started to rain heavily, as you may recall. My car was having traction issues (scary at freeway speeds) and when I got home I saw that one of the front tires had worn all the way to the wires! I quickly proceeded to freak out, chalked it up to old tires (20k miles? I want to say... not actually old at all), and went to the tire place to get 4 new tires (it's required for my AWD if the tires are worn). Good enough I thought, although that steering pull was annoying.
A couple months later, I noticed an abnormal amount of wear on the inside of the front tires. Remember, according to the post-service report, the alignment settings were supposed to be in line with factory spec, so this kind of wear was quite unexpected, especially since I hadn't hit any potholes or such in the time since. Bad camber setting?
I ended up taking the car to another shop (that's known for being more performance-oriented) and what they found led me to writing this review: The tires weren't mis-cambered; instead, the toe-in was wildly out of spec (over 1 degree, which is a lot) which caused the front tires to feather and wear abnormally fast, and also contributed to the steering pull. There was absolutely nothing wrong with that aligning bolt I mentioned above, and in fact this other shop mentioned that nothing would bend it short of a major collision.
Once this second shop performed a new alignment on their properly-maintained machine, my car started tracking straight again. At the conclusion of this service, this shop suggested that the only way my car could've ended up in this situation is if the previous alignment (from Stress Free) was done on a heavily miscalibrated machine so that an out-of-spec setting would give an "in-spec" reading.
In summary, despite Stress Free's efforts to provide a satisfactory customer experience, I cannot ignore the fact that their poorly-maintained equipment ended up costing me around $1000 in additional costs as well as leaving me with incorrect information about the state of my vehicle that took considerable time to correct. Furthermore, there is no guarantee that their equipment will be in good working order by the time any reader sees this review, so all I can really do is suggest that anyone looking for an alignment should "steer" clear of Stress Free in San Mateo. Sorry guys.Helpful 1Thanks 1Love this 1Oh no 0Business owner information
Sanjeev P.
Aug 19, 2024
Thank you for taking the time to provide such a thorough account of your experience. We sincerely apologize for the issues you encountered and the subsequent costs you incurred. Your feedback is invaluable, and we take it very seriously.
We strive to maintain all of our equipment to the highest standards, and it’s clear that we fell short in this instance. We are currently conducting a thorough review of our alignment machine to ensure that it is properly calibrated and functioning correctly, and we will take immediate steps to rectify any issues found.
We understand how frustrating and costly this situation has been for you, and we deeply regret that we did not meet your expectations. While we appreciate your kind words about our team and the customer experience, we know that this does not make up for the inconvenience you faced.
We would like the opportunity to make things right. Please contact us directly so we can discuss how we can assist you further and restore your confidence in our service. Your trust is important to us, and we are committed to addressing this matter to prevent it from happening again.
Thank you again for your feedback, and we hope you’ll give us a chance to regain your trust.
Sanjeev Pal
General Manager
Stress Free Auto Care - Felix W.South San Francisco, CA07Jul 13, 2024
The whole process from making an appointment to getting my car back was a super easy experience, truly stress free like their namesake.
The car only needed a brake fluid job, but they still took the time to perform a detailed inspection report that called out future maintenance items and potential/current problems, and they were still timely with the original job. This really impressed me as it shows their attention to detail and reassures me that I've put my vehicle in good hands.
While I was waiting for the car, I was able to get work done with their free Wi-Fi, and the waiting area was stocked with water and snacks. I also wasn't upsold on anything nor pressured or subjected to any shady tactics, which was pleasantly surprising.
Oscar, my service advisor, did a great job processing through an unexpected volume of customers that all came in within the first hour of opening, and Sanjeev, the general manager, was very courteous and professional when processing the car out back to me and answering my final questions.
Overall, this was very different from my other auto mechanic experiences, and I'm so pleased with my first interaction with them that I'll be a repeat customer with all my vehicles!Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0Business owner information
Danielle H.
Jul 30, 2024
We're thrilled to hear about your fantastic experience with us! It's great to know that the whole process was truly stress-free and that our team, especially Oscar and Sanjeev, made a positive impression. We're glad our detailed inspection and transparent approach reassured you that your vehicle is in good hands. Thank you for appreciating our waiting area amenities and for noting our commitment to honest service. We look forward to serving you and your vehicles again in the future. Thank you and have a wonderful Stress-Free day!
- Jun 23, 2024
Super straight forward and easy process, I'd completely recommend this location for people who need their car cared for.
I booked an appointment for an alignment after getting new tires online via their website; took less than 10 minutes. Confirmation emails and texts were sent to me. On the day of the appointment, I dropped my car off right at opening and I was the first one in line (I love to do things when there's less people, I don't know how busy this location gets in the afternoon). Sanjeev took care of getting all the paperwork done.
I originally scheduled my car to be picked up at 4PM, but I got a text that it was ready at 12PM. Gotta say even if they are busy, they get their work done! I received a detailed report as well outlining some basic checklist items (brakes, fluids, filters, etc). I didn't even know my Tie Rod needs to be replaced soon. This was all a courtesy check and they provided pictures for everything too. I really appreciated that.
Price seemed reasonable and detailed reports with pictures. I'd say this place does seem to honor their "Stress-Free" name. For someone who usually works on their own car (I cannot align my tires myself LOL), I think this is a place I'd still take my car to for bigger repairs!Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0Business owner information
Danielle H.
Jul 30, 2024
Thank you for sharing your fantastic experience with us! We're delighted to hear that the process was straightforward and easy, from booking your appointment online to receiving your detailed report. It's great to know that Sanjeev and our team were able to get your alignment done quickly and provide you with valuable insights on your car's condition. We appreciate your trust and kind words, especially coming from someone who usually works on their own car. We look forward to assisting you with any future repairs. Thank you and have a wonderful Stress-Free day!
- Miriam R.San Mateo, CA843Aug 11, 2024Updated review
Very good service and very satisfied with the work!! Nice hardwokers!!
I liked it because they estimate the cost and they always let you know what they are doing to the car!Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0Business owner information
Regional Support
Nov 2, 2023
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us this wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that you had a positive experience at Stress Free Auto Care.
Our team is dedicated to providing top-notch service and ensuring that our customers feel comfortable and informed throughout the entire process. We believe in transparency and want you to have full visibility into the work being done on your vehicle. We're delighted that you found our staff friendly and that you appreciated our commitment to explaining the service to you.Nov 2, 2023Previous reviewGood service!! Guaranteed work and the people who work there are very friendly! They check your car and are letting you know what they are doing!
- Barry R.Foster City, CA14476Aug 12, 2024
I had fantastic first and second experiences with them. They have invested in a state-of-the-art computer system that makes scheduling and repairing cars fast, high quality, and simple to experience. They also provide detailed documentation on current repairs and costs. Additionally, the company includes a list of other maintenance needed with the estimated costs. So far, I'm really impressed.
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Danielle H.
Aug 14, 2024
We’re so happy to hear that your first and second experiences with us have been fantastic! It’s great to know that our state-of-the-art system and detailed documentation have made things easier for you. We’re committed to providing a seamless and high-quality experience every time, so your kind words mean a lot. Thanks for sharing your experience, and have a wonderful Stress-Free day!
- Ronn M.Foster City, CA257478Jul 5, 2024
A full inspection report on my 2019 Mazda CX5. I can see under the hood what I don't even see before. With Michael Hoyt & Joshua O., I am at ease to say the least. I will be back with my wife's car.
Completely satisfied.Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0Business owner information
Danielle H.
Jul 30, 2024
We're so glad to hear that Michael and Joshua made you feel at ease and provided a thorough inspection report for your 2019 Mazda CX5. It's great to know that you're completely satisfied and plan to bring your wife's car in next. Thank you for your kind words. Thank you and have a wonderful Stress-Free day!
- Annie W.Burlingame, CA1385423Aug 6, 2024
I freaking love this place mainly because I'm a stress nut so finding this place is a blessing. They are so good with answering the phone, their lobby is super cute I would spend all day working there if I didn't have an eight month old. They have a refreshments area with a microwave, and even offered a ride home. Their pricing is very competitive and their inspection reports are A quality with photos. Absolutely love this place.
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Danielle H.
Aug 7, 2024
We're thrilled to hear how much you love our place! It's fantastic to know our team, cozy lobby, and amenities made your visit enjoyable. We're glad our inspection reports and competitive pricing met your expectations. Thank you for sharing such a glowing review, and have a wonderful Stress-Free day!
- Ravi S.San Francisco Peninsula, CA04Aug 14, 2024
My battery was buggy and had to be replaced. It was already end of business day and I had to get my car fixed as it was "Back to School" the day after. I called Stress-Free and they were courteous enough to bring me in quickly and replace my battery in 30 mins. Sanjeev was just amazing and the man who made it all happen. Thanks guys for such an great customer service.
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Danielle H.
Aug 15, 2024
We’re so glad we could help you out in a pinch! It’s great to hear that Sanjeev and the team were able to get your battery replaced quickly, especially with the "Back to School" rush. Thanks for choosing us and for sharing your experience. We’re always here when you need us. Have a wonderful Stress-Free day!
- onder e.San Mateo, CA2137Aug 13, 2024
Very nice shop for all your needs. They are not cheap but fair prices. Excellent reports that show you what needs to be done. Service advisor Michael was great guy and very helpful. Thanks all!
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Danielle H.
Aug 14, 2024
Thank you for the kind words! We're thrilled to hear that you found our shop to be a great fit for your needs and appreciated the detailed reports. Michael will be especially glad to know he made a positive impact on your visit. We strive to provide fair pricing and helpful service every time. Thanks again, and have a wonderful Stress-Free day!