Frequently Asked Questions

We are at 801 David Walker Dr, Eustis, FL 32726, right off US-441. We serve Eustis, Mount Dora, Tavares, Leesburg, Clermont, and all of Lake County.

Monday through Friday 8am to 6pm, Saturday 8am to 2pm. Closed Sundays.

We prefer appointments so we can give your vehicle the time it needs, but we do our best to accommodate walk-ins. Call us at (352) 250-3210 and we will let you know what the schedule looks like.

Always. We diagnose the vehicle first, then provide a written estimate covering parts and labor before any work begins. We call you if anything changes during the repair before we proceed. You will never be surprised by your final bill.

Yes. We stand behind our work. Warranty terms vary based on the type and extent of the repair. Ask us about the specific coverage when we go over your estimate.

We work on domestic, Asian, and European vehicles of all makes and model years. We also service diesel trucks including Ford Power Stroke, GM Duramax, and Ram Cummins. If you have a question about a specific vehicle, call us before making the trip.

Yes. Call us at (352) 250-3210 and we can point you toward towing services that cover your area. If you need to drop your vehicle outside of business hours, call ahead and we will make arrangements.

Robert J. Fox Jr. has been working on cars since the 1980s, giving RJ Fox Automotive over 40 years in the trade. Rob was born and raised in Eustis and has served the Lake County community throughout his career.

Yes. RJ Fox Automotive is an authorized U-Haul dealer. We offer truck and trailer rentals for local and long-distance moves. Call us at (352) 250-3210 to check availability and reserve your rental.

Yes. Most shops in Lake County send transmission jobs to an outside rebuilder and mark up the cost. We handle automatic, manual, CVT, and clutch work in-house. That means better quality control, direct communication with the person doing the work, and no middleman in the price.

That depends on what the diagnosis reveals. Common warning signs include slipping gears, delayed engagement when shifting from park to drive, rough or hard shifts, a burning smell, red fluid under the car, or a transmission warning light. We diagnose the full system before recommending anything and give you honest numbers on every option.

For most automatic transmissions in central Florida we recommend every 30,000 to 50,000 miles. Florida heat qualifies as severe service by most manufacturers' definitions. If you tow regularly or do a lot of stop-and-go driving, aim for the shorter end of that range.

We recommend against it. Driving with a slipping transmission puts extra stress on internal components and can turn a repairable problem into one that requires a full rebuild or replacement. The sooner you bring it in, the more options you will have.

Yes. CVTs require a specific fluid formulation that is different from conventional automatic transmission fluid. We verify the correct manufacturer-specified fluid for every CVT service and will not substitute a generic ATF where an OEM-spec fluid is required.

The check engine light means the vehicle's computer has detected a fault in one of its monitored systems. A steady light means a fault has been stored. A flashing check engine light means there is an active misfire severe enough to damage the catalytic converter and you should reduce speed and get it looked at right away.

Yes. Many drivability problems do not set a fault code. Live data analysis, compression testing, fuel system testing, and hands-on inspection can find problems a scan tool alone would miss. If your car feels wrong even without a warning light, that is worth diagnosing.

White exhaust smoke on a fully warmed engine, coolant that disappears with no puddle under the car, a milky residue on the oil cap or dipstick, the engine running hot repeatedly, or bubbles visible in the coolant reservoir. If you notice any of these, stop driving and call us.

Continuing to drive an overheating engine warps cylinder heads and blows head gaskets. What might be a manageable repair becomes an expensive one fast. Pull over, shut the engine off, and call us.

For most vehicles in central Florida we recommend every 5,000 miles with synthetic blend oil or every 7,500 miles with full synthetic. Florida heat and short trip patterns often put vehicles in the severe service category, which means tighter intervals than the standard recommendation in your owner's manual.

Once a year is a reasonable baseline for most vehicles driven regularly. Any time after a significant suspension impact such as a hard hit on a pothole or curb, and after any steering or suspension repair that changes wheel geometry.

Every two years is a reasonable interval for most vehicles in Florida. Brake fluid absorbs moisture over time, which lowers its boiling point and promotes corrosion in the system. We can test the moisture content of your brake fluid and tell you whether it needs to be flushed based on its actual condition.

Squealing when you brake usually means the pads are getting thin. Grinding means metal on metal and needs immediate attention. Pulsation through the brake pedal usually means warped rotors. Pulling to one side under braking often points to a sticking caliper.

No. Grinding means the pad material is gone and metal is contacting the rotor. Stopping distance increases, rotor damage accumulates with every stop, and the vehicle becomes progressively less safe. Bring it in as soon as possible.

The most common causes are low refrigerant from a leak, a failed compressor, a damaged condenser, a faulty expansion valve, or an electrical fault in the control system. Refrigerant does not get used up in normal operation, so if the level is low there is a leak somewhere. We find and repair the leak before recharging the system.

Once a year is a reasonable target in Florida, ideally in late winter or early spring before the heat arrives. Every shop in Lake County gets busy when the first hot days hit. Getting your AC checked in February takes an hour and can save you from being without AC in June while we are booked out.