By Norine Longo
Cars have always been Jeff Acolia’s business. The 1987 Steinert High School grad began work as the service manager and head technician at the family-run Acolia’s Sunoco station in Trenton, where he worked for seven years.
Jeff’s father, Jim Acolia, Sr. retired in early 1995, and they made the decision to move the business to a location closer to home. They purchased a property in Robbinsville at the former site of a truck and trailer repair business owned by local businessman Sonny Parker, which they rebuilt before opening.
Acolia, 40, owns the accredited business, now called Superior Automotive, which specializes in Asian and European cars and trucks. They also work on domestic vehicles.
Superior Automotive is a member of the Better Business Bureau and National Federation of Independent Business.
Acolia said the business offers a one-year, 12,000-mile warranty that applies to all parts and labor at the shop.
Acolia said all technicians who work at Superior Automotive are ASE certified. ASE, a 30-year-old industry standard meaning Automotive Service Excellence, is something most customers look for, Acolia said.
Technicians at the facility often attend seminars throughout the year to keep up with changes and advances in the industry.
Superior Automotive’s specializations include antilock brakes, airbag and tire monitoring systems, alignments and custom pipe bending. They also do state inspections and reinspections and have a large stock of tires.
“We’ve kept up with the technology for computerized vehicles,” Acolia said. “We have all the latest high-tech equipment.”
Acolia said one of the shop’s strong points is the check engine light issue, which is common. “What we have found with a lot of chain stores is that they’re not really strong in the electronic areas,” Acolia said.
Superior Automotive’s equipment includes a certified emission repair center, two Hunter computerized 4-wheel alignment machines, a custom pipe bender for exhaust systems and three scan tools. They are looking to add computer reprogramming equipment.
Acolia said having great scanning equipment allows technicians to get in and look at the various voltages for sensors and see what all the parts are doing. “It gives you code numbers that send you in the right direction,” Acolia said. “If you don’t have them, things are more difficult and can be much more expensive for the customer.”
With the addition of computer reprogramming equipment, Superior Automotive will have the ability to reprogram a car’s computer if the factory determines that there are software issues with that year, make and model by linking up with the manufacturer online.
Acolia has lived in Robbinsville for 10 years with his wife Jennifer and attended Mercer County Vocational School and Pennco Technical School.
Superior Automotive is located at 1137 Route 130 in Robbinsville. The shop is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. They offer a 10 percent discount for Robbinsville seniors, township employees, firefighters and policemen. For more information, call (609) 208-0111.
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