For some people, turning 40 can be a traumatic experience, but not for Gatto’s. That’s right, Gatto’s Tires & Auto Service is moving into our fifth decade of serving Brevard County. Remember the ‘70s? Yeah, me neither, I was just a child! Ha! But throughout the coming year we’ll be taking a look back at the way things were. What hasn’t changed in 40 years is that we work every day to earn your trust.

To our long-term customers, thanks for sticking with us. To those of you who haven’t yet made our acquaintance, come on in and see what keeps us going and going and going—and what keeps our customers coming back, again and again.

Gas prices are about a dollar a gallon higher than they were a year ago and although the pain at the pump has eased a little, the wisdom of getting full value from every tank full of gas has never been clearer. If you commute then you need to get smart about saving fuel – and proper tire inflation can save you money.

At Gatto’s, we have always tried to look out for you and that means we’ll check your tires for free and make sure they are properly inflated. But you also owe it to yourself to learn about your tires so you can keep the right amount of pressure even when a Gatto’s location is not handy (sometimes people travel outside of Brevard County – don’t ask me why, they just do!)

Below is an excerpt from a column by Editor Jim Smith of Tire Review magazine:

Complete article

And speaking of wasting fuel, as we close out the 10th annual National Tire Safety Week, the RMA offers these facts from its annual survey of drivers and tire care:

• 60% of drivers wash their car at least once a month, but only 14% check their tire inflation pressure once a month

• 62% of drivers do not know where to find the correct inflation pressure for their vehicle…53% say it’s the tire sidewall while 14% do not know at all.

• 43% of drivers do not know that tires should be checked “cold” – before driving.

• 52% of drivers do not know how to tell if their tires are bald.

• Nearly 70% do not check the tire pressure in their spare tire.

• 75% cite checking tire pressure as a top fuel saving tip.

• 20% of male motorists and 9% of female motorists properly check tire pressure.

Click here to view the email.

Did you see the editorial in Florida Today on April 21? It was talking about new legislation that will eliminate regulations in some industries, including motor-vehicle repair. Read more here.

Now, I’m not a big fan of regulation. I think that most people can do just fine without the government getting involved. And, of course, at Gatto’s you don’t have to worry, because we will continue to give you a fair shake on every deal. We want you coming back, time and again, for years to come.

But read this summary from the editorial:

“Mechanics will no longer be required to register or be inspected by the state or give you a written estimate for repairs costing more than $100, so the onus is on you to insist on one. Smart consumers obviously should, but another loosened rule could smack them in the wallet.

“Mechanics also no longer will have to notify you before fixing something else they find wrong under the hood that jacks up what you owe 10 percent or more.”

Now if you didn’t know these rules had changed, an unscrupulous business could take advantage of you and you might not even know it. After all, if you assume that there are rules that force shady people to play fair, but someone changes those rules without telling you… That’s not what I call a level playing field.

Anyway, as long as you keep coming to Gatto’s you won’t have to worry about these changes. Because we don’t plan to change.

You have my word on it.

See you at Gatto’s.

Pam

Click here to view the email.