It is not often that I recognize a business. But when a local business excels at what they do, I feel compelled to recognize them. Liberty Lube is one such business among many great local stores here in Liberty Lake.

I always take my vehicles to my dealership for service even when out of warranty. However, one day I decided to take my 2010 Forester to Liberty Lube and check out the local service and compare it to the big box maintenance shops. I was really surprised at the level of service, facility and price. The facility is well maintained and purpose-built. The technicians access your car via a lower bay and do a multi-point check. The waiting room is clean and warm with complimentary water, coffee and tea. Seating is comfortable and a TV is there for your distraction.

You meet with the technician to decide what is to be done, they compare what lubricants were used previously, and then confirm the service. If they find any deficiencies, they bring it to your attention along with cost to repair. In my case, they found a light bulb not working and it cost $3 for a new one. The total cost of service was perhaps 60 percent of a similar service at a dealership.

Where Liberty Lube really differentiates itself from other "quick" lube stations is their commitment to service, pricing and no misleading maintenance issues or scare tactics. This is a big deal and I am so proud to have them here in Liberty Lake. Liberty Lube performed head and shoulders above other vehicle service providers and they captured my future business. And fellas, I would have no hesitation sending my better half, who is less mechanically inclined, to have her vehicles serviced with no hesitation! (No offense intended for the mechanically-inclined ladies out there!)