Back to all

Service Center Standard and Procedures

June 20, 2016

All Michigan pilots have checklists for every aspect of flying. They always use their checklists even if they only have two steps on them. They do this simply because a checklist is a great way to not forget steps. It is also how they can assure a predictable outcome.

That is why Sterling Heights automotive service centers including Sterling Tire & Auto have procedural standards for each service they perform. Sterling Tire & Auto technicians are trained step by step. And they perform the procedures step by step, the same way each time. By training to procedural standards, Michigan service centers can assure a quality outcome. The job is done right every time and Sterling Heights customers leave happy with how their vehicle performs.

Each company trains its technicians to standards. The Michigan automotive industry as a whole is very committed to standards of excellence and encourages individual Michigan service center operators to apply them to every vehicle they service.

An example is how Sterling Tire & Auto grades problems and communicates their recommendations. If your service advisor tells you that a repair or replacement is required it must meet the following criteria:

The part no longer performs its intended purpose
The part does not meet a design specification
The part is missing

They may suggest repair or replacement:

If the part is close to the end of its useful life - just above discard specifications or likely to fail soon
To address a customer need or request - like for better ride or increased performance
To comply with maintenance recommended by the vehicle manufacturer
Based on the technician's informed experience

Here are some examples:

An exhaust pipe has rusted through and is leaking. Replacement is recommended because the part has failed. If the pipe were rusted, corroded or weak but not leaking, the technician may suggest it be replaced because it is near the end of its useful life and replacing it now may be more convenient for the customer.

Suppose a customer wants to improve his car's handling, but his shocks haven't failed. The may suggest replacement of the shocks to satisfy the customer's wishes.

Under these guidelines the Sterling Heights car repair shop must refuse partial service of a required repair if the repair creates or continues an unsafe condition.

Let's say a customer has a cracked brake rotor. This is a dangerous condition that must be repaired. If the customer does not want to replace the rotor but instead just wants new brake pads installed, the shop must ethically refuse the partial repair. That can be an upsetting conversation, but understanding that Sterling Heights service centers operate under service standards and procedures is comforting. You want your service to be done right and to have confidence in your technician's recommendations.

The Michigan automotive service industry and Sterling Tire & Auto want the best for you and for you to keep coming back.

Sterling Tire & Auto
34701 Van Dyke Rd
Sterling Heights, Michigan 48312
586-264-7775

 

Need Service?

Request a Quote

More articles from Sterling Tire & Auto

Losing Your Cool (Why is My Air Conditioning System Not Working?)

January 25, 2026

When you turn on the air conditioning in your vehicle, you expect cool air to come out of the vents. You depend on it, especially in hot weather, but it can also be important in humid weather when you need it to help defrost your windows and windshield. The air conditioning system has a lot of p... More

Why Maintaining Your Windshield Wipers and Washers Matters (Windshield Wiper and Washer Inspection)

January 18, 2026

What do mud, bird droppings and frost all have in common? When theyre covering your windshield, they can temporarily obscure your view of the road, leaving you driving blind. And when you cant see the road clearly ahead of you, it can be really scary. Thats one of the reasons its important to m... More

Why is My Brake Pedal Hard to Push?

January 11, 2026

When you push on your brake pedal, you should find your vehicle easy to stop. But at some point, you might notice stopping takes much more pressure on the pedal than it used to. When it gets to that point it becomes a safety issue, and you should bring your vehicle in so we can track down whats... More