Cars Troubleshooting: Car Problems: Avoid Being Ripped Off

Automotive Guide Car Problems: Avoid Being Ripped Off

By: Jim Mcdonald

Automotive Guide

Everyone who drives will eventually have problems with their vehicle. The model, make or age of the car is not a factor. Eventually--like it or not--you will have to take that car in into a repair center to get it repaired.

Car problems in it’s self is bad enough but sometimes getting it repaired correctly can be even worse. Cars are a lot more complicated today than they were just a few years ago. I remember in the early days of my years as a mechanic diagnosing a car problem was usually very simple…sometimes you could know what was wrong just by listening to the car drive into the service aisle.

Those days are long over and diagnosing a problem can take up much more time than actually repairing the car. Labor rates are high… you probably pay $65.00-$100.00 an hour or more…and it is projected to get a lot more expensive in the future.

What is worse… the chance of being ripped off are running rampant. How many times have you paid for something that did not fix your car only to be told it needs something else to complete the repair

You need to have some idea what is wrong before you hit the shop.

It is far better for you to tell the service writer “ I need to check the rear wheel bearings on my car. I think one of them is making noise”

Than to just say, “my car is making a funny noise”

The first scenario does several things: It tells the service man you know something about cars and it also helps zero in on the problem. This also saves a lot of time. The job dispatcher can give the job to the right mechanic that works on wheel bearings. Yes, mechanics are specialized just like doctors. Some work on brakes, some work on front ends and so on.

“My car is making a funny noise” gives no clue to the problem except “there’s a noise” Someone will have to go drive the car and decide where the noise is coming from. It might be hours or even days before the car gets to the right mechanic to do a one-hour’s job.

Knowing what needs servicing and when on your car can save you thousands of dollars. If you have an idea of what is wrong…you do not leave yourself open for needless services that are only money in the pocket for the shop.

For instance: You do not need an air conditioner service if your air conditioner is working properly. This is just money thrown away and leaves you open for buying a lot of parts etc. that are not necessary. Yes, some mechanics will say there is a problem when there is no problem and take off a perfectly good part and put on a new one…just for the labor.

Service writers (that’s the person that writes up your repair order) particularly at dealerships work on commission, usually five or ten per cent of the ticket total. The more service they can sell the more money they make. Many mechanics prefer to work on commission also for the same reason.

When the service writer asks “how about a free brake check” you can bet the he will do everything he can to make it “not free”.

You should know when your brakes might need servicing or when it is time to change the transmission fluid or the timing belt. Check your owner’s manual

Do a little research and save a bundle.

Jim McDonald is a freelance writer and writes articles for the automotive and housing industry.

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Automotive Guide Tag : Cars Troubleshooting   My Car Wont   About Car Problems

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