Terms of Use

Agreement

This website is operated by Grote Auto Service Center ("Grote Auto Service," "we," "us," or "our"), 1949 S Bell School Rd, Rockford, IL 61112. By accessing or using this site, requesting an appointment, or communicating with us through it, you agree to these Terms of Use and to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy, which are incorporated here by reference. If you don't agree, please don't use the site — though we'd still be glad to help you by phone at (779) 888-5000. You must be at least 18 years old, or have a parent or guardian's permission, to submit a request through this site.

Using this website

You may use this site for your own personal, non-commercial purposes — to learn about our services, request an appointment, and contact us. You agree not to misuse it: no scraping for commercial resale, no attempts to breach security or access areas not intended for you, no uploading malware, no automated bulk submissions, and nothing unlawful. We may suspend access we reasonably believe is being misused.

Pricing & estimates

Prices shown on this site are typical ranges for most vehicles, published in good faith so you can plan. They are estimates, not binding quotes: your vehicle's exact price depends on its make, model, condition, and parts, and will be provided in writing for your approval before any work begins. Published ranges, specials, and coupons may change or end without notice; the terms printed with each offer control. Coupons and specials can't be combined unless we say so, have no cash value, and apply only to qualifying services.

Appointments

Appointment requests through this site are requests, not confirmed bookings, until we confirm them with you directly. We'll do our best to accommodate your preferred time. Service work itself is governed by the written repair order and invoice you approve at the shop.

Repairs & your rights as a customer

Before we perform repairs, you'll receive a written estimate and we will obtain your authorization. We won't perform work materially beyond what you authorized without your approval. You're entitled to the disclosures and protections provided under Illinois' Automotive Repair Act and related regulations, including a written invoice describing the work performed and parts supplied, and the return of replaced parts on request where required by law. Nothing in these terms waives rights the law gives you as a repair customer.

Warranty

We stand behind our work with a 24-month / 24,000-mile parts & labor warranty on qualifying repairs. The warranty that applies to your specific service — its scope, coverage, and exclusions — is the one stated on your written repair order and invoice, which controls over any general description on this website. Warranty coverage typically excludes normal wear, customer-supplied parts, damage from misuse or accident, and work performed by others. Ask us and we'll walk you through exactly what's covered before you approve the work.

Customer-supplied parts

If we agree to install a part you supply, our labor warranty does not extend to that part or to failures caused by it, and we can't warrant its quality, fit, or condition. We'll tell you in advance when a part you've supplied changes what we can guarantee.

Storage, liens & abandoned vehicles

Please pick up your vehicle promptly once we notify you it's ready. Vehicles left after completion may incur reasonable storage charges disclosed to you, and we may assert a repairer's (mechanic's) lien and pursue the remedies for unclaimed or abandoned vehicles available under Illinois law. We are not responsible for loss of personal items left in a vehicle — please remove valuables.

Repair information is general guidance

Our guides (Car Trouble, blog, make pages, FAQs) describe common patterns to help you make informed decisions. They are general information, not a diagnosis of your specific vehicle — that requires inspection. If a guide says a symptom is urgent (grinding brakes, overheating, a flashing check-engine light), treat it as urgent; when in doubt, stop driving and call. We're not responsible for outcomes of acting on general information without an inspection.

Calls & text messages (SMS)

When you give us your phone number — on a form, in person, or over the phone — you agree that we and those acting on our behalf may contact you at that number about your request, appointment, estimate, or vehicle, including by automatic telephone dialing systems, prerecorded or artificial voice, and text message. This service-related contact is part of doing business with us.

Promotional messages are separate and optional. We send marketing texts (offers, reminders, specials) only if you give us your prior express written consent — for example by checking the marketing opt-in box on our form. That consent is not a condition of purchasing any service.

For all text programs: message frequency varies, and message and data rates may apply. Reply STOP to any message to cancel, and HELP for help, or call us at (779) 888-5000. After you text STOP, we'll send one confirmation and then stop sending marketing texts to that number. Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages. We do not share your mobile opt-in or consent with third parties for their own marketing. Standard message and data rates from your wireless carrier are your responsibility. You can also manage email preferences using the unsubscribe link in any marketing email. See our Privacy Policy for how we handle the information you share with us.

Information you submit

You're responsible for the accuracy of what you submit, and you confirm that any phone number you give us is yours to provide consent for. Don't submit another person's information without their permission, and don't send us sensitive information you don't want us to have (we only need what's necessary to help with your vehicle). How we handle submissions is described in our Privacy Policy.

Our content

The site's content, design, and branding belong to Grote Auto Service Center or its licensors. Personal, non-commercial use is welcome; republishing our content wholesale is not. (AI assistants citing our guides with attribution: that's fine — it's why we publish them.)

Third-party links & services

Links to third-party sites and tools (Google, review platforms, AI assistants, our scheduling and financing providers, advertising and analytics services) are provided for convenience. We don't control them and aren't responsible for their content or practices; your use of them is governed by their terms and privacy policies.

Disclaimers

The website is provided "as is" and "as available," without warranties of any kind, express or implied, including implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement, to the fullest extent permitted by law. We don't warrant that the site will be uninterrupted, error-free, or secure. Nothing in this section limits the warranties we expressly provide on repair work in writing, or any rights you have under Illinois law that can't be limited or waived.

Limitation of liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Grote Auto Service Center and its owners, employees, and affiliates will not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising out of or relating to your use of this website. Our total liability for any claim arising out of the website will not exceed one hundred dollars ($100). This limitation does not apply to your service relationship with us, which is governed by your written repair order, and does not limit liability that cannot be limited under law.

Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold Grote Auto Service Center harmless from claims and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from your misuse of the website, your violation of these terms, or your submission of another person's information without authorization.

Dispute resolution & arbitration

Please read this section carefully — it affects how disputes are resolved and requires individual arbitration instead of court or a jury for most disputes.

Let's talk first

If you have a concern, contact us at [email protected] or (779) 888-5000 and give us 30 days to resolve it. Most issues are settled this way.

Binding arbitration

If we can't resolve a dispute informally, you and Grote Auto Service Center agree that any dispute arising out of or relating to these terms, the website, or our communications with you (including calls and texts) will be resolved by binding individual arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association under its Consumer Arbitration Rules, rather than in court. The Federal Arbitration Act governs the interpretation and enforcement of this section. Arbitration uses neutral arbitrators, allows for the same damages and relief a court could award to you individually, and is generally more informal than a lawsuit.

Class-action waiver

Disputes will be arbitrated only on an individual basis. You and we waive any right to bring or participate in a class, collective, consolidated, or representative action. The arbitrator may not consolidate more than one person's claims or preside over any form of a representative or class proceeding. Either of us may still bring an individual claim in small-claims court if it qualifies, or seek relief in court for intellectual-property misuse.

Your right to opt out

You may opt out of this arbitration and class-waiver section within 30 days of first accepting these terms by emailing [email protected] with your name and the statement "I opt out of arbitration." Opting out won't affect any other part of these terms or your relationship with us.

Governing law & venue

These terms are governed by Illinois law, without regard to conflict-of-laws rules. To the extent any dispute is not subject to arbitration, it belongs in the state or federal courts serving Winnebago County, Illinois, and you consent to that jurisdiction. If the class-action waiver is found unenforceable as to a particular claim, that claim proceeds in court; the rest of this section still applies.

Changes & contact

We may update these terms; the "Last updated" date above reflects the current version, and continued use of the site after a change means you accept it. You can adjust your cookie and tracking choices anytime through our cookie preferences. Questions: [email protected] · (779) 888-5000 · 1949 S Bell School Rd, Rockford, IL 61112.