Auto Skills Center helps Sailors save big bucks

"People need to realize that they can come in here and not know how to do something and we can help them do it. We the All Data System which offers information on how to fix just about everything and the steps needed. And, we have a certified ASE mechanic on the floor to help our customers out," said Community Activities Director Bret Tracy, who runs the Auto Skills Center.

"The nice thing is that our mechanic doesn't get paid by the jobs he does and he can advise people on what they need to do. If a customer can't fix the problem themselves here, they can then take it to a shop and tell them what's wrong with their vehicle and save themselves some money on diagnostics."

Mike Gordon gets a little messy while working on the suspension on his vehicle. The Auto Skills Center allows customers to work on their own vehicles eliminating labor costs charged out in town.

"The Auto Skills Center really is a great deal for military personnel, their families, retirees and Department of Defense (DoD) employees because you are the labor rate so the cost is your time. You pay for parts and have expert help available," added Tracy.

The center features seven above ground lifts including a 30,000-pound lift (a motorcycle lift is being added soon), a specialized tool room, diagnostics services and basically anything else offered in a commercial auto repair facility. They also offer air conditioning services, engine analysis, brake service, computerized wheel balancing, welding services, transmission, brake and radiator flushes, fuel injection cleaning, a hydraulic press and a paint booth (by reservation only).

"I use the Auto Skills Center because it's convenient and has everything here so I can do what I need to do. I work on all my vehicles here; change the oil, tire rotation, etc. You just can't beat it. A shop out in town will charge about $80 an hour but you can come here and do the labor yourself and just pay for the parts. They provide everything you need," said ADC(AW/SW) Gary Singleton of the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit Jax.

"Do you know the different between cheap and frugal? I'm frugal. I don't mind spending a little money on my vehicle, but I hate to spend $300 for someone to put a part in when we can do it ourselves. I'm here all the time. I'm probably their best customer. It's really a good deal. Short of my medical coverage as a retired Navy pilot, this is next on the list," added Lon Brugh, who was replacing a timing belt with is his son, Michael. "And Terry (the mechanic) offers us some adult supervision on projects like this. He has all the answers on how to fix vehicles. We provide the dirty fingers and he tells us what to do."

ADC(AW/SW) Gary Singleton of the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit Jax works on a lugnut as he rotates the tires on his son's car during his lunch hour.

The staff here consists of a certified mechanic, two recreation aides who issue tools, lend an extra hand and keep the place clean and safe and two office staff members. "Our office staff also handle check-ins to the recreational vehicle (RV) park on base, the Autorama Resale Lot and deployed vehicle storage area," stated Tracy.

The RV park features 50 sites with full hook-up, partial and primitive accommodations. The cost is $14 a day for full hook-up, $12 for partial hook-up and $8 for the primitive area. There is also a bathhouse and a free laundry room. Reservations are taken four months in advance.

The Autorama Resale Lot allows military members, their families, retirees and DoD employees to sell their vehicles on base. The cost is $17 for two weeks for military and retirees and $22 for DoD employees. "We require them to have registration, insurance and an ID card. The vehicle must be in their name or they must have power of attorney to sell it," said Tracy. "We assign them a space on the lot. It's really a good avenue for selling vehicles because of all the people who work here and drive by each day."

Recreation Aide Elliot Herbert helps customer AE1(AW) Chris Schleben of VP-30 at the Auto Skill Center.

The deployed vehicle storage lot is available for anyone going on deployment. "They just need to bring in a copy of their orders, proof of insurance and ID and they can store their vehicle here for free as long as they are gone. If they have an additional vehicle, we can also store that for $40 a month. It is a secured area and we are the only ones who have access to it," continued Tracy. "We also maintain a storage area for RVs, boats and trailers. The cost is $50 for military and retirees and $60 for DoD employees. And, if they pay a year in advance, one month is free."

For those looking to keep their vehicles looking good, a car wash behind the center features three bays and vacuums for a minimal cost.

The Auto Skills Center is open Monday, Thursday and Fridays from noon to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and holidays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays although a staff member is always available to check people into the RV park and handle emergencies. For more information, call 542-3227.

ADAN Steve McCafferty of VP-30 vaccums his truck out at the base car wash Sept. 14. "This is a great deal. I use the car wash all the time. It's much cheaper than out in town," said McCafferty.