Customer Testimonials

Customer Testimonials

“Since I’ve seen you guys last, I’ve put 23,000 miles on my truck, driving to Alaska and back (all the way up to the Arctic Ocean) including a side trip to Northern California, six weeks in British Columbia and several weeks in the Yukon. Believe it or not, I didn’t have ANY car troubles, except for two flat tires. I have you guys to thank for that, as you’ve taken very good care of my beat-up old truck.”

“Thank you for the service you performed on my car. This worked beautifully for me. I left it one night and picked it up the next. Your person dropped me off at work and picked me up that night, and I was really never without my car.”

– Linda

“I’m glad I took my stepson’s Suzuki to you guys for the professionalism I’ve grown to know and respect.”

– Rene R.

“I wanted to say thanks for the work performed on my 1992 Mazda 929. It is running great (knock on wood), I had forgotten how well this car can perform.”

– Dave

“Thanks for the work on the Range Rover Defender. The increase in performance was immediately noticeable. I’d love to take you up on your offer and see if we can get the rack cheaper than going through their distributor in the US.”

– Clay

“I just want to tell you how much I enjoy your web site. I printed out a lot of helpful information. In doing the 30,000 mile service we discussed, does this include changing/reverse flushing antifreeze? May need this done as I don’t think my daughter Lindsay has had this done. Lindsay’s safety on the road is my primary concern, so please don’t hesitate to contact me to let me know what, if anything your technician finds after going over the car. Once again, thank you!”

– John

“Thank you for your generous care of our Neighborhood Networks families in the service you provide.”

– Marilyn Bursch, Tonja Guzy

“We thank you for sending your check for our old and faithful Volvo. We hope your son is enjoying it. Most of all, thank you for your kind words. We have appreciated your fine service over the years. If we return to Reston, please know we will be coming back to R & R!”
– Bernadette and Michael Monroe

“Over the weekend, I had an opportunity to drive my newly repaired Windstar for the first time and just wanted to tell you how great it handles since you made all those structural repairs to the sub-frame. No noises from the front end or the brakes, and no burning oil smell either. Jeff told me he saw the old rusty parts, and is amazed that it didn’t leave me sitting by the side of the road – or worse!”

“Thanks again for all the work you did on my van. Great job! I’ll have no hesitation about driving Michigan in September.”

“Thank you for your car and for being my pit crew. I had a great time taking my new Beetle out on the track at Summit Point and it was nice to know you’d checked the car out for me before I left.”
– Laura Strand

“Troop 3570 would love to thank you for all the work you put into our Car Sense activity. It was very kind of you to open up your shop for our use. Al the work that you and your mechanics put into our activities made them very successful and I know that our troop and all the other scouts really learned a lot and had a fun time doing it. Again, we are very grateful for all the time and effort you put in and without you, the day would not have been such a stand out day.”
– Troop 3570

About Us

Our Mission

R&R wants to be your trusted family mechanic. These days, earning trust isn’t easy, we know, but we’re up to the challenge. For more than 35 years, R&R has built relationships in Loudoun and Fairfax counties one family at a time by providing honest, straightforward car repair advice and service.

We understand that different people have different expectations when it comes to their cars. You may want to maintain the warranty on your truck, keep your used Toyota serviced for your college student, or obtain expert repair for your prized Jaguar. R&R Auto Service makes sure we understand your car needs, so we can deliver on our promise of great auto repair and service.

In the summer of 1972, Robert and Richard graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with degrees in Physics and Computer Sciences, respectively. Both had had enough of college for the time being and wanted to do something completely different. Combining Rob’s love of British sports cars and Rich’s interest in locks and knowledge of business, R&R Auto Service, Lock & Security was born. After a short time, the repair side of the business burgeoned, and we dropped the “lock and security” part.

We soon outgrew our Arlington facility and relocated to Tyson’s Corner in early 1975. This is back when Tyson’s had only one car dealership, few office buildings, and no traffic! Our facility was 6000 square feet and had four lifts. No longer did we have to remove Jaguar engines with the car-on-jack stands. Richard had become proficient in tracking down the elusive British part and decided to stay at our original location in Arlington, which was renamed Rich’s Imported Auto Parts. Those old timers who had English cars during this period probably purchased their parts from Richard.

In 1978, Rob’s brother David, who had a degree from Yale, joined R&R as service manager with his seeing-eye dog, Christie. In 1981, after the demise of two revered British marquees, MG and Triumph, we decided to add Saab, Volvo, and Japanese cars to our service offerings. Saab and Volvo were just quirky enough to appeal to the British masochist–er, we mean mechanic–in us (Did you know that the Saab 99/900 engine block was derived from the Triumph TR7 block?), and the Japanese cars were definitely here to stay.

In 1990, we opened our second location in Sterling, Virginia, managed first by David’s wife, Sue, and then by Rob. In 1997 David and Sue retired, and Rob made the decision to close our Tyson’s operation after 22 years. Rob could have hired someone to run one of the locations, but not to his satisfaction. Repairing cars is not like making hamburgers, and we are not the McDonalds of car repair.

In 2001, the R&R neighborhood in Sterling was the sticks. We had almost as many trees here as Tyson’s Corner did in 1975. Now we are one-half mile from the Dulles Greenway and much too close to rush hour gridlock on Route 28. That’s progress, we suppose. Now if only there was some place with cars, but no traffic…

Certification

Our Technicians are ASE Certified:

  • Two are ASE Certified Master Auto Technicians
  • Two are ASE Certified Advanced Level Specialists in Engine Performance
  • Two are Virginia DEQ Certified Emission Repair Technicians

Rob Carter and Your R&R Team

British Cars

British Cars

It was 1966, and I was just 15 years old when my Dad bought me a Jaguar XK150 for $200. From that moment, my course in life was set. There followed other British cars–Triumphs, MGs, and Austin Healeys–and at R&R Auto Service we take good care of them all, but my first love, the Jag, has always remained my passion. Jags have character and personality. They are graceful. They are a superb blend of performance and luxurious refinement. Nothing drives like a Jaguar. And nothing drives me like servicing them. I have specialized in Jags since 1972.

Know Your Car

Know Your Car Section

Tips for Improving Your Gas Mileage

With today’s high gas prices, it’s worth taking a few minutes out of your day to make minor modifications that will improve your gas mileage. ASE certified technicians have developed 22 effective tips for reducing the amount of gas you use while driving your vehicle:

Vehicle Tips

  1. Keep your tires properly inflated, and check them frequently. [1]
  2. Keep your front suspension and steering in proper alignment.
  3. Use the thinnest viscosity oil that your car’s manufacturer recommends (5W-30 for most newer cars.)
  4. Keep your engine in proper mechanical condition.
  5. Keep your engine in tune and make sure the air and fuel filters are clean.
  6. Make sure your brakes are not dragging.
  7. Repair body damage. That crunched front fender adds aerodynamic drag – just ask any racecar driver.
  8. Don’t use premium fuel if your car does not require it (check your owner’s manual); using it is an unnecessary expense.
  9. Don’t waste your money on those late night “as seen on TV” products that are supposed to increase your mileage.

Driving Tips

  1. Avoid excessive warm-up time. Modern engines do not require it.
  2. Don’t idle your engine for long periods. Turn off your engine when you leave the car or have to wait a long time. [2]
  3. Avoid jackrabbit starts.
  4. Keep your speed at 55 miles per hour or less whenever possible. [3]
  5. For newer vehicles with aerodynamic designs, close the windows and turn on the A/C when driving on the freeway.
  6. For older cars with inefficient A/C compressors, use the ventilation system and close the windows, temperature permitting.
  7. Anticipate merging traffic and stoplights – decelerate and accelerate smoothly.
  8. Plan your trips wisely. If you need to go several places, plan a route that allows you to run most or all of your errands in one outing.
  9. Empty the trunk! Extra clothes, overdue library books, tools and the bag of aluminum cans that you have been meaning to take to the recycler all weigh down your car unnecessarily. [4]
  10. Carpool whenever possible or practical.
  11. Listen to radio reports for alternate routes around congested areas.
  12. Drive in the highest gear possible (without lugging the engine).
  13. Try to keep your speed constant. Use cruise control when on long stretches of road.

Acknowledgements

  • [1] According to the U.S. Department of Energy, Americans could save nearly four million gallons of gasoline each day for every one pound per square inch (psi) of tire under-inflation, compared to the mileage if ALL vehicle tires were kept inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure.
  • [2] The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that for 145 million passenger vehicles idling five minutes per day, they consume approximately four million gallons of gasoline without going anywhere.
  • [3] According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, a vehicle loses about one percent in fuel economy for every one mile per hour driven above 55 mph. A passenger car that averages 30 miles per gallon at 55 mph. could typically get 28.5 mpg at 60 mph, 27 mpg at 65 mph. and 25.5 mpg at 70 mph. Remember, however, that for different speeds, the changes in fuel economy will vary by vehicle model.
  • [4] Each 100 pounds of needless weight will cost up to one-half mile per gallon, on the average.

Services We Provide

Services We Provide

*Ask about our Family Service!

  • Axle Shafts
  • Brakes Service
  • Check engine light services
  • Clutch
  • Cooling systems
  • CV joints
  • Drivability problems
  • Electrical problems
  • Exhaust system and mufflers
  • Factory maintenance
  • Failed the State Emission test? -We are a Virginia DEQ Certified Emission Repair Facility
  • General maintenance
  • Heating and air conditioning systems
  • Lights and accessories
  • Oil Changes
  • Pre-purchase Inspections
  • Seasonal checkups
  • Starting and charging systems
  • Steering and suspension
  • Timing belts
  • Tires – we sell and install tires at competitive prices. We can give you recommendations on the best tires on all price ranges
  • Traction control, brakes and anti-lock brake problems
  • Trip checks

While-You-Wait Service
We can provide while-you-wait service for those times when you have a relatively small job and it would be more convenient not to leave your car at our facility. Just ask for while-you-wait service when you make your appointment, and we’ll make sure a technician is ready and waiting for your arrival.

Advice Line
If you need help with any question related to your vehicle’s care and maintenance, just call Fred, your R&R team service manager, at 703-430-0770 during our business hours. Fred keeps your vehicle’s service records at his fingertips, including its unique quirks and personality, and his extensive knowledge about car care is always at your service.