The Mechanics Insight

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Helpful Hints

Should I wait for my car to be repaired?

Just like you and every other person you can't do you best work when there is pressure to do your job. When you wait for your vehicle the foreman/service manager is breathing down the Technicians back, to get your vehicle done. Please remember that your not the only person waiting and the folks with appointments are still showing up. Leaving your car after scheduling an appointment or just walking in to have repairs done will allow your technician to thoroughly inspect your vehicle. The inspection and recommended maintenance or repair suggestions, are the basis of the estimate given on the repair order. Just like any type of transaction, you should always review the estimate (no matter how well you trust your technician) and have a copy of the signed estimate before any repairs are performed. In most states an estimate is not the price you will pay, but an estimate only, again most states allow a 10% adjustment after the repair is made.

I know how to drive my car

Everybody knows how to drive their vehicle, right? Well maybe not.

1. The 2footed driver (one on the gas and one on the brake). If you rest your 'brake foot' on the pedal -even if its just lightly- will cause a drag on the brake pads/shoes and may wear them out prematurly.
2. The 2footed driver again using the clutch pedal as a foot rest - can cause the clutch plate to slip, which may cause it to wear prematurly.
3. You should always use your parking brake with a standard transmission. If you have a Standard or an Automatic transmission, its best to use the parking brake
4. Traffic jams/backups and tailgating, always add to brake wear. These conditions add excessive heat to the brakes and braking surfaces leading to 'brake fade' making you use more pedal effort.
5. One common but not understood problem is the ignition tumbler/switch. Excessive weight from too many keys or trinkets, and the bounce/sway of the vehicle weeken the springs in the tumbler. Lighten up on the keychain!

The cost is too much!

Comparison shopping for your automotive repairs will save you money. Just remember that the lowest price is not always the best service, and the highest is usually marking up their prices. In areas where there are more than a few large shops get an estimate and visit a few of them, and tell them that soandso's garage can do it for a little less. They will usually try to get your business, with the prospect of you becoming 'their customer'. Try to determine what they are using for repair, using OEM (Original Equipment Manufacture) is usually the best way to go although there are a lot of aftermarket manufactures that stand behind their product.

Specials of the week!

Special, THIS WEEK ONLY! These are usually a good deal if thats all you get. The specials are designed to bring in the customer and find more repairs needed, real or imagined. This is called upselling, or add-ons. If your told that you nead something more ask to look at the problem, there should be no hesitation from the manager or technician, but be careful there are ways to show and still be fooled. Not all garages are shadey.Its best to find a good shop and technician, feel free to ask for a specific technician to do your repairs, as with all people if your asked because somebody feels you are the best, they tend to try even harder to please the customer.

The Shadetree Mechanic

These are people that you know or somebody you know, knows. They typically are mechanically inclined and can do the basics, but even so you should have a liscenced technician perform the repairs at an establis