Incheon garage: beginner driver's overdue oil change at Smile Auto

What kind of car repair shop is Smile Auto in Mansu-dong, Incheon?

Smile Auto (스마일자동차공업사) is a car repair shop in Mansu-dong, Namdong-gu, Incheon, and it's the writer's regular garage. This time the engine oil change interval had come around, so the oil change was done at Smile Auto.

It's far from home, but they treat the writer so well every visit that it's always worth the trip. The price is also about ₩10,000–20,000 cheaper than other places, so the value is really, really, really good. You can book ahead on Naver Booking, and also through the Michael app. Maybe that's why it felt like a smart car shop :)

Smile Auto in Mansu-dong, Incheon, does all kinds of maintenance: vehicle diagnostics, repairs, oil changes, coolant changes and more. Every visit, you can genuinely feel how honest they are with you, which makes it even easier to trust them. This time only the engine oil was changed, but earlier the engine oil, brake pads and other things were replaced too, and the car has run without any trouble ever since :)

It turns out Smile Auto is also a Himang Pungcha (희망풍차) sharing garage, part of a charity program. The owner has a really kind face, and he seems to do a lot of good things too :)

What services did the writer get with the engine oil change at Smile Auto?

With the engine oil change at Smile Auto, the writer got the air filter and oil filter replaced and washer fluid, plus engine bay cleaning and a tire pressure check. When the hood was opened after a long time, there was a lot of dust piled up, and they said they would clean the engine bay at the end :)

An oil change came with all sorts of extra services: air filter, oil filter, washer fluid, engine bay cleaning and a tire pressure check. The price is low and the services keep coming, so it felt like a really good-value oil change, and the writer was so, so happy :)

Air filter replacement

The old air filter was very dirty, so it was great to get a new one. The mechanic also explained carefully that if the air filter isn't replaced on time, engine intake efficiency drops, which can mean worse fuel economy and less power, so replacing it on schedule matters.

Oil filter replacement

The oil filter was replaced too. It was also very dirty, and getting a new one felt fantastic :)

The oil was past its change interval: how was the old oil removed?

At Smile Auto the old oil was drained, and it was wine-colored. The car had been driven a bit past the point when the oil should have been changed, and the mechanic caught that the moment he saw the oil color...! (He even guessed roughly how many thousand km it had gone...)

Smile Auto in Mansu-dong, Incheon, removes the old residual oil thoroughly and reliably. While the oil was draining, the mechanic kindly explained things to the writer, a beginner driver, and since no other shop had ever explained this much, the writer was really grateful.

Because the residue was removed so carefully, more new oil could go in as well. It's a really conscientious Incheon garage. Apparently, if the oil left inside the engine isn't properly removed, it mixes with the new oil and the new oil works less well. At Smile Auto, you don't have to worry about that :)

Which engine oil was used?

This time the oil was changed to Hyundai XTeer. The Smile Auto mechanic also explained the product name of the oil being used.

After filling the oil, the mechanic carefully checked and showed how much had gone in. He showed the level on the dipstick, explained that the level can drop once the engine runs and the oil circulates, started the engine briefly, checked the dipstick again and topped up what was missing. Can anyone be this thorough..♥

They even replaced the cap with a new one...! It was just one engine oil change, and the service was the best.. They also checked the tire pressure, and luckily it was normal :)

They did some other service too, and even though it was explained, I'm the one person who can't remember what it was...T_T The kind mechanic did that for free as well T_T.. I only went in for an oil change, and they looked after me so well, so I was really thankful.

Do they also do washer fluid and engine bay cleaning?

Smile Auto also topped up the washer fluid as a free service. I happened to need washer fluid and had even put some in my Coupang cart :)

The finale was engine bay cleaning. My car, nicknamed Ningning, had an engine bay full of dust. You can wash the outside of a car, but not the inside, so I'd always wanted it clean. Smile Auto in Mansu-dong, Incheon, even cleaned the engine bay, which made me really happy :)

The mechanic cleaned the engine bay carefully, using a dedicated product.

It looked so clean and felt so good. Hardly any other place does this much.

Can beginner drivers trust Smile Auto?

Smile Auto also told the writer about other problems with the car, with photos. When it's only explained in words, you wonder whether you're being ripped off (?), but because they took photos of each issue to show, it felt trustworthy. I'll have to visit again soon :)

Smile Auto in Mansu-dong, Incheon, is perfect on value, service and friendliness. It took the writer 50 minutes to get there from home, but if it's near you, trust me and go try it!!!! I bet you won't regret it :)