Your car is the vehicle you trust to get you and your family to the places you need to go safely. Whether you’re driving to a business meeting, taking your child to college or heading out in a snowstorm, you depend on your car to get you to your destination. Therefore, where you take your car for repairs matters. In Newtown Square, you won’t find a more honest and trustworthy repair shop than Edgemont Automotive. Such a well-deserved reputation is due to Owner Lou Matteo and his hard-working team.
Born in South Philly, Lou Matteo was just one year old when his family moved to Glenolden in Delaware County. As a young child, matchbox cars and Tonka trucks were his toys of choice. Later, model cars became a fascination, along with helping his dad assemble any new household item. At 13 years old, Lou landed a job at a corner gas station in Clifton Heights. The more time he spent there, the more his fascination with all types of vehicles grew. He saved up his earnings to buy a 4-wheel ATV, making all the repairs and upgrades. “There is something about taking things apart and putting things back together that really interests me,” Lou said. During junior high, he played football until he had to choose between football or the automotive repair program in Folcroft and Marple Vo-tech schools. It turns out the love of cars and all things mechanical was just too strong.
In 1996, Lou started working at Edgemont Automotive, a primary automotive repair company. Lou’s skills helped him quickly move up, from technician to manager. He purchased and became owner of Edgemont Automotive in 2015. “We do everything, from repairs and engine performance to computer diagnostics. Anyone who has something with wheels needs us,” said Lou. Their state-of-the-art equipment and eight-vehicle service garage with four lifts at Edgemont Automotive means that Lou and his team can handle anything on all makes and model vehicles.
Lou said that winter is the best time to make sure your vehicle is up to date on general maintenance. “The key is to make sure all your maintenance is caught up,” he explained. “Be certain that fluid levels are full and always have a little extra washer fluid on hand because salted roads can make a mess of your windshield.” Winter is also the perfect time to change your wiper blades and have your battery and charging system checked. “Batteries hate extreme temperature changes, and if your battery is over three years old, bring it in for a visual inspection as well as a load test before you get caught in the cold,” Lou warned.
Lou also stressed the importance of having your tires checked for proper pressure and overall condition. “Safety inspection requires a minimum of 2/32 of an inch of tread to pass, but in winter weather, that is not enough space to clear slush from under the tire so it contacts the road as designed,” he explained. Finally, Lou said that the brine and salt used to clear our roads are hazardous to the underside of our vehicles. To help prevent rust and rot, Lou advises us to have the underside of our vehicles rinsed down with at least a garden hose every spring. “We are here to ensure that you stay safe this winter.”
Customers have described Edgemont Automotive as “family-style auto-repair.” Lou’s oldest son, Louis, has worked for the business for the past six years, and everyone else on Lou’s team has years of training and experience. “Being with my group of guys really makes the day enjoyable and fun. This isn’t just a business; it’s what I truly enjoy,” Lou said. The type of environment Edgemont Automotive has makes even the customers feel part of the group. “I’ve been seeing the same customers for the past 20 years,“ Lou said, “and many of them have become my good friends.”
Books, Louis Matteo, Louis Matteo, Jr., Jaeger Ungerbuehler
Lou currently lives in East Goshen with his wife Mirella, three children and their pit bull, Blue. Lou’s extended family is the team at Edgemont Automotive. Rich Books starts your auto repair process, taking your information and dropping you off at home or work. Lead Technician Chris Taylor is a mechanical wizard and Nick Massini brings the credentials and experience necessary to get the job done right. Jaeger Ungerbuehler is their newest part-time employee while studying at Automotive Training Center in Exton. Lou said he is a shop helper while learning and an excellent
customer service representative. This team’s automotive diagnostic and repair experience is only surpassed by the care and concern for customers’ safety and well-being. “These guys feel like my family. I couldn’t have done this without them.” Whenever a customer leaves happy with a working car, that’s a win for Lou. “It’s worth more than all the money, knowing you solved the problem and the customer is driving away happy.” The team at Edgemont Automotive’s motto is: Safety Comes First.
Edgemont Automotive is located at 5040 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square. They’re open Monday through Friday from 7:30am – 6pm. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit www.EdgemontAutomotive.com or call 610-353-9868.