Automotive
Domestic Car Repair – 5 Ways to Make Sure You Don’t Get Screwed
Written by admin on May 19, 2010 in Automotive
Today’s cars are becoming increasingly more complex, meaning that domestic car repair requires advanced expertise now more often than not. Unfortunately, this also means that as the general public is less likely to have the knowledge necessary to fix their own cars, some domestic car repair shops are more likely to take advantage of their customers’ ignorance.
As it turns out, not knowing much about domestic car repair can end up costing you quite a bit if your mechanic recommends unnecessary repairs. The Internet abounds with complaints and lawsuits alleging that auto repair shops charged their customers for unnecessary repairs. Here are 5 ways to protect oneself from being a victim in a similar case.
1: Research every domestic car repair shop you are considering. Thorough research is your number one best weapon against devious mechanics. This means checking out a repair shop through ever means available to you: word-of-mouth, the Internet, and resources such as the Better Business Bureau.
Ask around to see if anyone you know has used the repair shops you are considering, and whether their experiences were good or bad. You can also search for each repair shop’s name on the Internet, as there are many forums online where people can post complaints, or praise, about their mechanics. Resources such as the Better Business Bureau can be found online and offline, and offer a way to check a business’s standing and whether there are any unresolved complaints against them.
2: Ask for recommendations. This isn’t quite the same as independently researching domestic car repair shops. If you don’t even know where to start, or you would rather go to a shop with which someone you know has had personal experience, you can ask around for recommendations. Rank recommendation according to how long your friend has been taking their car there for example, if they have been using the same mechanic for fifteen years, their recommendation means more than someone’s who has just used that mechanic once.
3: Ask lots of questions. It’s perfectly fine to ask lots of questions before making a final decision to take your car there. For instance, you might want to ask about their prices, their guarantees or warrantees, how much experience their mechanics have, whether they have won any awards, and how they handle customer complaints.
Another thing to ask about is the repair work you need done. Asking many thorough, intelligent questions about the repairs that will need to be done, and any related systems, indicates that you are interested in knowing more about your car. It also indicates that you are not an easy person to take advantage of. Finally, a repair shop that is unwilling to answer your questions should indicate that you are better off taking your car elsewhere.
4: Show an interest in your car. When you take your car in for repairs, it is best not to leave it alone while you go to work or shop. Waiting for your car makes it harder for the repair shop to get away with unnecessary repairs. The shop needs to ask for approval before performing any work other than what you originally requested, and if you are right there waiting it will be easier to request a detailed explanation of the repair and why your car needs it.
On the other hand, in cases where the repair shop calls to request permission, the customer usually requests less information before approving the repair and repair shops know this. Leaving is a sign that you are too busy to care about keeping tabs on your car’s repairs.
5: Request to see the problem. You often have a legal right to see the damaged part. This ensures two things: One, that the repair shop actually did replace the part, and didn’t just clean the original part up and charge you for a replacement they never installed, and two, that the part did in fact need to be replaced.
When asking to see a damaged part, always request that they show you the problem, that is, why the part needed to be replaced in the first place. Also ask to see the new part if they have it on hand, on the grounds that you would like to see the difference or see what an undamaged part looks like. If you are waiting for your car when they ask your permission, ask to see the problem before approving the repair work.
The reason why domestic car repair shops get away with making unnecessary repairs is usually because the customer is too lazy to verify the need for the repair. You may have heard that a thief or rapist is more likely to choose a victim whose body language indicates that she is an easy target. The same goes with domestic car repair. The more interest and intelligence you show when dealing with an auto repair shop, the less likely a dishonest mechanic is to try to push unnecessary repairs on you. Your best method of protecting yourself is therefore to be as informed, and as involved, as possible.
By: Andy West
About the Author:
Andy West is a freelance writer for DAE, which offers valuable domestic car repair [http://www.domesticautoexperts.com/] and domestic automotive maintenance [http://www.domesticautoexperts.com/articles/domestic-asian-import-repair-maintenance.htm] in the Houston area.
Car Repair – How to Change a Flat Tire
Written by admin on May 19, 2010 in Automotive
Introduction:
There are two different ways that you can use to approach changing the tires on your car. One way is to take your car to a professional automotive repair shop and spend a great amount of money for their services. Another way is to learn how to do it yourself by following these quick easy to do steps that I am about to show you right now.
Steps:
Step one — All vehicles today should be well equipped with a personal car jack and a personal tire iron hidden some where in the car. Reading your car manual usually located in the glove box should show you where to locate these items.
Step two — After you have found your personal car jack and tire iron you are now ready to do this next step. There is usually a specific spot under your car where your personal car jack is suppose to go. You should make sure that you find the spot where your flat tire is located.
Step three — Always loosen the lug nuts on the tire you are about to change first before you start jacking up your car. You would turn your tire iron counter clockwise just enough to loosen the lug nuts so that the lug nuts would come off easier when you jack the car up.
Step four — You can now start jacking your car up just enough to where the tire is about one inch off of the ground.
Step five — Start taking off every lug nut that you started to loosen earlier. You can also remove the flat tire from the car and put on your spare tire all with in this same step.
Step six — Put all your lug nuts back on and turn your tire iron clock wise just enough to make sure your tire is on tightly. Start jacking your car back down until all of the weight of car is on the tire and not your jack.
Step seven — Grab your personal tire iron again and with all your might start to fully tighten each one of the lug nuts on your tire.
Conclusion:
All these steps should help and teach you how to change your own flat tire. I hope these steps i have shared with all of you would give you a better vision on how to do it yourself.
By: Keleboy Kalawa
About the Author:
I would always hate it when my tire would blow out or my car would break down in the middle of no where. Then i would have to sit and wait there for about two to three hours until a tow truck would show up just because i never learned how to fix it myself. Does this sound like you or someone you know that could use a little help. I have a website at http://www.kelkala.blogspot.com/ that will teach you many different secrets on how you can troubleshoot your own car. You will also learn how to fix and repair it yourself at http://www.kelkala.blogspot.com/ so that you can save money and time.
A Car Brake Repair Primer
Written by admin on May 13, 2010 in Automotive
The security of your car is vital, whether it is a Mercedes or a Mazda – even the safest vehicle on earth can have brake failure. If your car’s brakes don’t work properly, the consequences could be fatal. Thus, the brakes are probably the most important part of your vehicle. Car brake repair knowledge is always good to have because you never know if or when your car’s brake system will let you down. If this happens while you’re driving let’s say in the desert, miles away from the nearest garage, you should be able to
Perform a brake inspection and troubleshoot the problem Know what it takes to do a car brakes repair If possible, do the fix yourself If not, be able to describe the problem to someone who is able to repair your automobile brakes.
To become able to perform the work listed above, the first thing you need to know is how a car’s brake system works.
A drum system is utilizing hydraulic pressure to press a pad against a brake drum to slow down the speed of the vehicle. Here is how it works:
press the brake pedal the piston in the master cylinder sends pressure via the brake lines held by the brake shoe to the wheel cylinders inside the brake drum the friction caused by the shoe pressed against the drum is stopping the wheel from turning
A brake drum is a flat-topped and heavy cylinder, that you normally find somewhere between the wheel rim and the drive wheel. When you press the brake pedal, the friction material held by the brake shoes is pressed against the brake drum. This will slow the rotation of the wheels. A wheel cylinder contains pistons utilizing hydraulic power from the master cylinder to force the brake pads against the brake drum.
Another brake system, called disk brake system is using hydraulic pressure to press a pad against the rotor. This way it slows down the vehicle. Here is how it works:
press the brake pedal the piston in the master cylinder is activated and sends pressure via the brake lines to the calliper when the pad makes contact with the rotor, friction is created and this stops the wheel from turning
A rotor is nothing but a circular plate that is gripped by the brake pads for slowing down the vehicle. A brake pad is a pad made of friction material. When pressed against the rotor it stops the wheel from turning. This pad is held by the calliper, which straddles the rotor by using hydraulic pressure from the brake lines. With help from internal pistons it forces the brake pads against the rotors.
Performing this process, the breaking system needs brake fluid. The master cylinder provides this by distributing the brake fluid under pressure, to the entire breaking system of your vehicle.
The description above gives you the knowledge of how two different car brake systems work. These are the first things you need to know when troubleshooting and fixing any problems regarding your vehicle’s brakes. Brake problems can occur in a Cadillac, a VW or even in the safest vehicle brand. There are plenty free resources online which give you step by step instructions on fixing any brake problems that your vehicle may incur. I recommend that you go online and do a search for ‘car auto brake repair’. You’ll be amazed of the list of brake fix resources that will appear within seconds.
By: Terje Ellingsen
About the Author:
Terje Brooks Ellingsen is a writer and internet publisher. He runs the website cheap-used-cars.w-eland.com Terje gives advice and helps people with automotive issues like car brake repair and other auto repair issues as well as buying cheap used cars online.
Auto Repairs to Prepare For Northern Winters
Written by admin on May 11, 2010 in Automotive
In the north, the winters months are not only hard on the body, but hard on the automobile as well. When the winds start howling and the snow starts falling, cars tend to work harder to warm up and travel to your normal destinations. It is important to keep your auto repair up to date, especially when being stranded could mean the difference between being safe and not being safe.
Essential Winter Auto Repairs
There are a few essential winter auto repairs that you need to make sure you complete before the height of winter. Those repairs include antifreeze, tires, wipers, brakes, batteries, spark plugs and the auto body.
Antifreeze is the liquid of life for an engine in the north. When the winter temperatures reach subzero levels, the antifreeze keeps the car from freezing and refusing to start. Antifreeze should be mixed with 50% water when added to the engine.
Tires and tire tread can mean the difference between grabbing on to the slick road and slipping into a bank or hill. Tire tread refers to the depth of the grooves in the tire. The more tread the tire has, the more grip the tire will have on the road. When tires wear below 3 mm of tread, the time has come to replace those tires. In order to even the wear of the tire tread, rotating the front tires to the back and the back tires to the front helps even the weight of the vehicle on the tire.
The windshield wipers are the tools most important in snowy parts of the north. When winter snows collect on the windshield, the visibility will reach 0 in no time flat. Good windshield wipers should be in place before the winter begins in order to increase safety on the road for both the driver and the passengers.
The battery is the heart of the engine. The colder the air, the more juice needed to start the engine. When winter appears, replacing an old battery will ensure a fast start when time is of the essence. Batteries can be tested at any local auto shop before replacing.
Spark plugs work with the car’s battery to start the engine. If the spark plugs are old or the efficacy is reduced, the spark produced will not be enough to turn over the engine. During northern winters, having a quick start is important during the coldest of mornings and most frigid of nights.
The Importance of a Great Auto Body
While the car or truck engine is important during northern winters, the auto body is just as crucial. If there are nicks or scratches in the auto body paint, the salt used to melt away the winter snows on the road can collect on the body of the car and rust out the spot. Once a spot of rust begins, it will grow to an unsightly bit of damage by spring. Auto body paint repairs do not have to require an entire repaint job.
Keeping your car in top condition leading up to a northern winter is essential for winter safety and winter driving.
By: Jordan McPelt
About the Author:
Jordan Mcpelt is a professional author who specializes in Utah auto body repair and car repair. For more information please visit http://www.cascadecollision.com
Auto Repair – Choosing the Right Automotive Replacement Parts for Your Vehicle
Written by admin on May 09, 2010 in Automotive
For most laymen, having a vehicle repaired involves several elements of risk. Are you getting a fair deal? Could there be a cheaper solution? Is your car going to be okay? Acquiring a little bit of basic knowledge before taking your car in for repair can help to put these kinds of questions at ease. From obtaining an estimate to getting the best automotive replacement parts, here are a few tips to help you get the most from your car repair.
1. Understanding Automotive Replacement Parts – OEM vs. Aftermarket
O.E.M. stands for Original Equipment Manufactured, and refers to vehicle parts that are made by a car manufacturer itself. I.e., Toyota OEM parts are made by Toyota, and so on. You may also hear the terms O.E.S. and OE; which mean Original Equipment Supplied and Original Equipment, respectively. While many times the terms OEM and OES are interchangeable, OE is a term more generally referring to any original equipment on the car. Some of OE car parts and components are not actually made by the car manufacturer, but are purchased and assembled by the automakers.
After Market auto parts are bought and added to a vehicle at the dealership or after the vehicle left the dealership, and are not made by car manufacturers. Aftermarket parts are most often used as automotive replacement parts, but can also function as specialty add-ons to increase both look and performance.
Original Equipment is often times more durable as compared to stock parts, but can come with a substantial markup to cover the labor and shipping costs of the manufacturer. However, there are many auto shops that offer affordable, yet well-made ‘to automotive standard’ parts such as http://www.partsplusautostore.com. To assess which type of automotive replacement part will be the best for your repair, consult with the mechanic after initial inspection. Knowing the type and degree of damage to a part can help to determine a clear discourse.
2. Receiving an Estimate
Below are four tips to help you get the most for your money:
o If you know the types of repairs needed, make a list before you arrive. The repair shop can then inspect your car and estimate repairs more efficiently.
o Make sure you obtain a written or verbal estimate for repairs; the final bill cannot exceed more than 5% of the original estimate, as required by law.
o Always ask to see the damaged or worn part and ask that it be returned to you in the box of the new replacement part at the time you sign the work order. After inspection, have the repair garage dispose of parts as needed or retain for further inspection.
o Request quotes from several sources, including your dealer. While replacement parts from your dealership will usually be a bit more expensive, it helps to receive a quote from as many sources as possible to avoid getting duped by the ‘low ball bid.’ Some repair shops under bid to get you in the door, only to add on unneeded services later.
3. A word about new vehicles
In a few unfortunate cases, a new vehicle that seemed to have driven off the lot in good condition ends up needing repair. If the dealership is not as helpful as they should be, you can contact the manufacturer of the vehicle. Major manufacturers have a customer help line that will connect you with a representative who can help to get the needed parts and repairs done quickly. Because most dealerships are independently owned, it’s difficult to assess which will be responsive and which will not. Contacting a manufacturer’s representative will help you get the leverage you need to resolve the problem promptly.
By: Tony DiFiore
About the Author:
Tony DiFiore is the vice president of Parts Plus Auto Store, based in Cleveland, Ohio, which offers a full line of import and domestic auto parts online. With more than 25 years in the car parts store business, we have expertly and consistently served our clients only with the unsurpassed level and trusted automotive parts in the market.
How To Negotiate Car Repairs
Written by admin on May 07, 2010 in Automotive
Everything is negotiable, it just comes down to if you want to put forth the effort to negotiate. In my life I have owned no less than 15 cars , that means car repairs. When your car is in the shop for repairs it’s a unique situation, you have no control or true knowledge of what REALLY is needed and what isn’t. There have been several “special reports” on news programs with undercover cameras showing mechanics damaging or lying to customers about repairs that are needed. The fact that it is even possible creates a situation that should also be taken advantage of by the consumer. Chances are pretty good that your mechanic is over charging you for something, if you take a good look at your invoice after you have had a major repair it has to be somewhat of a surprise that the gizmo that controls your anti lock brakes is $1700.00. There has to be a huge mark-up on the price of an item that is a must have, and you can only get it from the dealer.
Car repairs can be negotiated just like anything else, more so even. Your mechanic or service manager at the dealer, knows for a fact that you are being over charged, that means that all you have to do is ask for a discount. If your mechanic is worth his salt he calls you before he does any work on your car, that is when the negotiation should start. When your mechanic tells you that you need a new “flex capacitor” and it cost around $800, your first reaction should be “Can you give me a better price?”
Or better yet “Can you do it for $700″ . You need to make it clear from the very beginning that you want a discount. A ten percent discount is always a good starting point, you are only trying to get a small discount, which is better than nothing. The biggest mistake you can make is to wait until your car repair is finished. At that point he basically is holding your car hostage until you pay him, so that means he is in full control of the negotiation. The very little control we do have is before any work is done, because we still have the ability to say no thanks I’ll take it somewhere else.
Most people want a discount, but most people don’t like negotiating. Let’s face it, it’s not for everybody. The reason car repair is set up for negotiation is because your mechanic or service manager knows that he can give you a discount but he certainly is not going to offer it. You’ll be surprised to see how easy they will give you 10% just for asking. The next time your you need a car repair follow these steps to get a 10% discount::
1. Make sure you tell the service manager or mechanic to call you BEFORE he does any work to your car.
2. Always ask for an estimate when he tells you what repairs you need.
3. What ever amount he says, ask for at least for a 10% discount. It’s much better saying a specific price instead of 10%, so make sure you have your math ready.
That’s it. No one said it was complicated, you just have to be willing to ask. Your’e going to be surprised how easy it is, and wonder why you didn’t do it sooner. Now take your 10% and do something for yourself,…. you earned it.
http://www.ClickForInfo.net
By: Todd Robinson
About the Author:
Todd C. Robinson is webmaster for http://www.ClickForInfo.net
How To Avoid Costly Auto Repairs
Written by admin on May 05, 2010 in Automotive
Many automobile owners know two things about their car. You get in it, turn it on, and drive off, or, you get in it, turn the key, and it doesn’t crank or is running very badly.
Here is a comprehensive checklist that every auto owner can follow to avoid having the car break down.
Keep your car’s maintenance on schedule. This means everything from tuning the car up to tire pressure check. Below is a full list of things that should be done to maintain your auto.
Get your car tuned up on schedule. This ranges from one auto to another, so check your owner’s manual, it will give you a schedule of when to tune the car up.
Change your car’s oil and fluids on schedule. This is vital to your car’s health. Make sure that you not only have the oil changed but have all of the fluids changed at the specific time the manufacturer states. Your brake fluid, power steering fluid, coolant, and transmission fluid are very crucial to the efficiency of how your auto runs. Also, the coolant should be tested regularly. If it should go bad and the car overheats, you could be looking at a blown head gasket, cracked head(s), cracking the block, or burning your transmission up. Most people don’t realize that the transmission is cooled by the same radiator that cools the engine. Regardless, if any of these occur you can look for at least $1000-$3000 on your auto repair bill. Better to spend the $39-$99 to have it checked or replaced, or better yet, check it yourself.
Also get your differential oil checked/changed on regular intervals. I think for most autos it is a standard rule to have it checked every ten-fifteen thousand miles and changed every 60,000 miles. This doesn’t cost much and will save you a costly break down in your gear-boxes. You would look at about $400-$1500 to rebuild a rear/front end on an automobile.
Have your brakes checked/ replaced when needed. Most service shops will inspect your brakes free of charge and will let you know when they need to be replaced. If you don’t replace the brakes, you are going to spend more money when you have to turn or replace the brake drums and rotors.
If the check engine light comes on, get the vehicle scanned immediately. The check engine light indicates a minor issue with a sensor on the engine or even a cylinder that isn’t firing properly. The majority of my customers think that it is the oxygen sensor, however, the reality is that the oxygen sensor rarely fails. Most auto parts stores such as Advance Auto Parts or Autozone will gladly scan your automobile at no charge and can tell you what the fault is.
You should have any belt squeals addressed. You can buy a can of belt dressing from the parts store for about $4 and spray it on the belt itself. If this doesn’t correct the problem, take it in and have it checked out. There is a chance that it isn’t the belt squealing but rather a bearing on one of the components of the engine.
Clean your battery terminals regularly. This is the leading cause of premature battery/ alternator failure. Case in point, one of my customer’s brought me a 2000 Chevrolet S-10 with a bad alternator a few years back. He told me the battery terminals were severely corroded so he cleaned them. Three days after cleaning them the alternator went out. The reason for this is, the alternator had worked hard to charge through the corrosion and had actually worn itself out. Once the corrosion was gone and it had a ‘full load’ from the battery again, the alternator burnt up. You can purchase a can of terminal cleaner and a wire brush at the auto store, or you can make a mixture of tap water and baking soda and rub on the terminals and scrape off with a wire brush.
The best advice that I can give is to be proactive instead of reactive. It will save you a lot of money in the long run.
By: Scott Daugherty
About the Author:
Scott Daugherty is an A.S.E. certified technician and mechanical engineer with over 14 years auto repair experience under his belt. He has performed contracts for GM, Ford, Chrysler, CNH, Hyster, Caterpillar, and International and has worked many government contracts. He also operates an independent repair shop. You can check out his blog, http://www.askthecartech.blogspot.com for more auto tips or to ask your own auto related question.
Auto Body Repairs Can Help the Environment!
Written by admin on May 03, 2010 in Automotive
Being a responsible citizen can mean a wide variety of things. However there are more ways to help out than you think. One of the best ways to be a responsible citizen is to take care of the earth that we live on. We need to make sure that we try to preserve its resources, not pollute it or fill it up with trash. There are many different ways that we can help the environment some may come easily and others you may have not even thought of. One of the ways you can help the environment that you may not have thought of is auto body repairs.
By getting auto body repairs completed on your vehicle you can actually help the environment. When your vehicle needs repair and you opt to get it replaced instead all the broken material is sent to the dump to fill up the earth with trash. Also there are more materials needed which can add more debris to our dumps. When you get your auto body repaired they trained technician simply works with the existing materials, that way less unused material makes its way to the dump. This is a great way to reduce waste. You might be surprised what a highly trained professional auto reconditioning specialist can do to your existing car to get it looking great.
Also if you decided to repair your vehicle and getting it looking better with a few repairs and enhancements instead of trading it or dumping it for a new one there are less cars that will get smashed up and left at the dump as well.
When choosing to get an auto body repair or service for your vehicle make sure you choose an auto body shop that is making an effort to help the environment as well. There are many materials that can be recycled instead of sent to the dump to sit. Find an auto body shop that recycles materials that can be recycled. That way at least if they do have unused materials they can go to creating something new. Also some materials that they use may be harmful to the environment. Try to find an auto body shop that doesn’t use harmful materials or that make a good effort to reduce their effects on the environment by containing them. This is a great solution for the environment and for your personally since repairs almost always cost less than replacements!
So, even if you are not a huge tree hugger it is important to care for our planet earth. After all we do live, breath, and eat here. We should want it to be a great place to live now and in the future. You can do your part by simply getting your vehicle’s auto body repaired instead of replaced. Not only will you be helping the environment but you will be saving time and money as well. These are two things that no one can deny being concerned with today. So, find an auto body repair shop to work with in protecting our planet!
By: Samantha Mccartney
About the Author:
If your car is in need of auto reconditioning start looking for a qualified professional to handle your concerns. Look for an auto body professional to take care of your ride from head light restoration to fixing the major auto body repairs.
Auto Repair Manuals
Written by admin on May 01, 2010 in Automotive
If you are an amateur auto mechanic who loves to dig in the car engines until the wee hours while most people are under their blankets, entails the spirit of the “do-it-yourself” -doer and are not afraid to get grease on your hands or if you are in an emergency situation, a very handy resource is the availability of the right auto repair manuals.
There are two types of car repair manuals:
Online downloadable manualsPrinted manuals
Online Manuals
The best thing about online manuals are that whatever manual you’ll need for whichever car brand, it is only a few mouse clicks away; you can load it down from the internet in no time.
If the time is a significant factor for you, for instance if you are in a situation that requiers repair information immeadeatlY and your knowledge about the specific problem is limited, the fastest and cheapest solution is to go online to find high quility vehicle repair manuals.
Some of these manuals include not only repair information, but also updated technical service information and some of them even include aproximate business hours. This is valuable info if you decide to take your car to a mechanic: You’ll know in advance how much you could expect to pay for the repair. Most of these websites charge a minor fee for their service, but compared to what you’ll get back, it is worth it.
Good vehichle repair manual sites also features updated diagnostic and maintenance information. Their manuals are Original Service Manuals Written by the manufacturers and contains the original workshop repair descriptions. Therefore many professional auto technicians are using quality downloadable manuals. .
Good manuals contain thousands of pages of diagrams and all the necessary detailed information for the specific vehicle and car part repair.
Printed manuals
I have chosen to make a breif review of three of the best printed motorcar fixing manuals available on the market today. If you chose these instead of the online alternative, expect some time for shipping and handling.
Bentley
the target is the experienced mechanic, and is considered by many experts as the hands-down best reference. probably the most detailed car repair book available Unfortunately, Bentley focuses on European models mostly, not US models.
Factory
The target for these service manuals are factory certified mechanics, and unfortunately not amateurs may require access to special tools only available to authorized mechanics.
Chilton
Simple step-by-step procedures, easy-to-follow standard format their targeted audience is the average, general backyard mechanic focusing on maintenance and basic repairs containing lots of sequential photographs and graphics to simplify maintenance and thus make the job easy and fun. new cars are treated with thorough attention. Older cars however, get lumped together and the instructions for these are a little more generalized.
By: Terje Ellingsen
About the Author:
Terje Brooks Ellingsen is a writer and internet publisher. He runs the website cheap-used-cars.w-eland.com Terje gives advice and helps people with automotive issues like auto repair help and car fix manuals
Avoiding Expensive Car Repairs
Written by admin on April 29, 2010 in Automotive
Most car owners dread taking their vehicles to the auto repair shop. Many people have gone to auto mechanic shops and ended up paying a lot of money for a vehicle repair that they initially thought would be relatively inexpensive. While a few repairs are going to cost a large chunk of money regardless of the precautions that you take, there are a few things that a car owner can do to avoid being overcharged for the average car repair.
When a trip to the car repair shop becomes unavoidable, it is important that all car owners research local repair shops. Try to choose an auto repair shop that a friend or acquaintance has previously had a positive experience with. In some situations auto mechanics will give referred customers a discount. In many cases word of mouth referrals are one of the best ways to save money on repairs. Friends, coworkers, and family members will give a more honest and accurate overview of the service and prices. If you’re on your own this time around, feel free to stop by a repair shop and having something generic done, like an oil change. Pay attention to their treatment of you as a customer as well as the quality of the work that they perform on your vehicle. If you feel like they’ve done a good job, then you might feel more comfortable bringing your vehicle back in the future.
Most importantly, before taking your car to a repair shop, try to find out the general problem and the average costs of labor and parts in your area. The Internet will often provide you with an accurate idea of prices for new and used parts. Also, find out what is the average cost of a part made by the manufacture versus other, generic, parts. When your vehicle is being worked on, stay with your car as much as possible and be aware of what parts are being used on your vehicle. Many unscrupulous auto mechanics will attempt to use cheap parts and then charge the car owner for the price of a more expensive, manufacture vehicle.
By: Brenda Williams
About the Author:
