By Mike Leidemann
Advertiser Transportation Writer

With all the extra cars on the road the past two weeks because of the bus strike, you might think auto-repair businesses would be thriving. And you'd be right — up to a point.

Some Honolulu mechanics say they've seen a slight uptick in business because of the strike. Drivers worried about overheated engines and worn-out brakes caused by extra stop-and-go traffic are starting to show up at some local service shops.

On the other hand, some repair places say they're suffering because owners who would normally bring in their vehicles for routine servicing and repairs are putting off visits.

Reason No. 1: The drivers don't have any other way to get to work when they leave their car at the shop.

Reason No. 2: Drivers need their cars more than ever without the buses on the road.

"Everybody I know is hurting a little bit," said Gordon Nishiki at Brake Service & Supply on Beretania Street. "People are putting off the little things because they need their cars more now. They're still coming for the emergency jobs, but don't want to leave their cars if they don't have to."

Some drivers who do drop off their cars want to be sure that they'll be ready for pickup at the appointed time, Nishiki said.

"That's more important than usual," he said. "If we say it will be ready by 2 p.m., that's what they expect because they don't have any backup to pick up the kids or whatever."

At Toguchi Service in Kalihi, business is down quite a bit.

"They can't do anything else, so they're kind of stuck," said secretary Grace Keliikuli, who has to scramble to find a ride to work daily.

While some people have called with overheated or broken-down cars, "it doesn't make up for all the cancellations we've had," she said.

Ken Tamashiro, owner of Pacific Automotive & Performance Centers on Queen Street, said he had a shop full of autos waiting for brake repairs yesterday, but he didn't know if that was strike-related or not.

Still, the extra traffic could be putting more strain on some cars, he said.

He suggested that owners check their oil and brake fluid levels more frequently while the strike continues and look for signs of wear whenever their cars are serviced.

Others said oil should be changed more frequently when there's a lot of stop-and-go traffic, and owners should switch to a heavy-duty brake fluid designed for extreme driving conditions.

A few other mechanics said they've noticed only minor differences in their business since the strike began two weeks ago.

"I've had two customers who have had to buy cars because of the strike," said Yowan Kim, manager of Barr's Muffler Shop in Kane'ohe. "They brought them to me to check out first."

Kaka'ako mechanic Kyle Metcalf said he hasn't seen any change in his business, but "I do see a lot more people riding their bicycle down the street now."

Reach Mike Leidemann at 525-5460 or mleidemann@honoluluadvertiser.com.