How to Get the Most Out of Auto Repair Shops
After real estate, vehicles are the most expensive investments many people make. You need your car or truck to last, but just like your home, you'll need to make repairs both major and minor to keep it well maintained. From standard body work to collision repair, nearly everyone will be an auto repair shop customer at one point in their life. Unfortunately, automotive repair and new auto parts can be costly.
Consumers need to educate themselves about their vehicles and standard repair and maintenance prices to get the most out of their auto repair experience whenever they must take their car or truck to a mechanic. Here are a few tips auto owners should use to ensure they get the most out out of their vehicles for years to come:
Take it to the Dealership
If you think something may not be right with your auto, you should consider taking it to the dealership you bought it from. You may also take it to another dealership that sells the make of your vehicle if your vehicle is still under warranty. A dealership can save you time and money versus an independent auto repair shop.
Popular Mechanics notes the service center of your local dealership will have mechanics who are more knowledgeable about your car and will more likely have parts on hand to fix it. It's more likely that a smaller repair shop won't have all the parts needed and they'll need to order them before starting the job.
Mechanics at a car dealership are trained to know the workings of your vehicle while others who work at independent oil-change shops could harm your vehicle while trying to fix it. Sometimes, independent mechanics can use the wrong kind of oil or the wrong amount in a simple oil change, which can put more stress and unnecessary wear and tear on your engine, Popular Mechanics says.
Plus, many mechanics at chain auto maintenance shops are paid hourly and sometimes have only a general knowledge of your make and model. Make sure you ask your dealership or mechanic what their labor rate is. An auto shop will charge you depending on how long they estimate it will take them to fix your car, ABC News reports. Labor rates are also negotiable.
Regularly Scheduled Maintenance
Taking your vehicle into the dealer versus an independent shop for routine maintenance can also save you money. A simple oil change and tire rotation can cost almost double at a chain service station when compared to rates at your local dealership. Plus, taking your vehicle into the same people for regular maintenance gives you an opportunity to get to know the people working on your car.
Developing a working relationship with your auto shop gives the mechanics a better knowledge of your vehicle. Being a regular customer will also make your mechanic more loyal to you and possibly translate into cheaper service if they know you'll return.
According to Popular Mechanics, dealerships make less money performing warranty work than they do service repairs. When the dealer's auto shop sees you bring your vehicle in regularly for service repairs they'll be more apt to give you reliable help once your warranty expires.
Know Your Car
While some warranties can keep you from shelling out big bucks, there's no standard certificate when it comes to repairs, the Federal Trade Commission notes. So make sure you get your warranty in writing and understand what it covers before taking your vehicle into a dealership for maintenance.
Owner's Manual
Not only should you know the extent of your car's warranty, you must also read your vehicle's owner manual if you wish to get the most out of any repairs to your auto. Kiplinger advises customers to familiarize themselves with their manuals so they know what type of maintenance is needed, and when. This could save you from paying for unnecessary work on your vehicle.
OBD-II Tool
Having a working knowledge of your vehicle can save you from overpaying on repairs. If you're having car trouble, try diagnosing the problem yourself before you take your car or truck into the shop or dealership. You can use an on-board diagnostic scanner, otherwise known as an OBD-II, to help you determine what the problem could be. OBD-II tools can range in price from $5 to $100, but can also save you from paying a mechanic a diagnostic fee, Money Crashers notes.
Using an on-board diagnostic scanner can give you a better understanding of what's wrong with your vehicle, letting you know if the check engine light came on because of a serious problem or if it's just a glitch. Having it at your disposal can also give many repairs a faster turnaround by allowing you to communicate with your mechanic better.
Know Your Sounds and Smells
According to Forbes, communication with your mechanic is key to getting the most out of your auto repair shop. Knowing how to describe any odd sounds or smells emanating from your ride can help diagnose the issues quickly. If you hear a knocking sound or you feel your vehicle hesitating or bucking, let your auto repair shop know.
Know What You Don't Need
Many times, knowing what your vehicle doesn't need can save you a bundle. Unnecessary add-ons or services can pad your car repair bill. So, before you take your vehicle in to be serviced, educate yourself on what you don't need. It's also smart to always ask your mechanic questions if something is not clear or if you don't know what a particular part or service does to the overall performance of your car.
Get a written estimate of your service before agreeing to the work.
Don't be afraid to ask. Get a written estimate of your service before agreeing to the work. Then review it to make sure shop supplies aren't tacked on to your estimate or the end bill. Shop supplies may include lubricants for your car other than oil or even shop rags, Popular Mechanics notes. Some businesses also bill for disposing of your old motor oil. The magazine likens this to being charged for napkins and flatware at a restaurant. If you see these charges, you may dispute them since they're all a part of running an auto repair shop.
Second Opinion
One surefire way to get the most out of your car repairs is to shop around. Get a second opinion or estimate from a competing mechanic. You might find that one location is charging too much. Kiplinger suggests customers should take their vehicle in to another business without telling the other mechanic about the previous estimate. Once you find the best price for quality service, you'll want to hang on to the shop's contact information.
Whomever you decide to go with, have him or her show you the car part that needs replacing. Ask the mechanic to show you where it goes in your vehicle and what it will do to keep your car running right. If you ever feel uncomfortable or pressured into making a decision, move on to another auto repair shop or dealership.
According to ABC News, a trustworthy mechanic is just like a doctor in that he or she will diagnose multiple problems in just one visit. It's good to get a second or even third opinion before paying for expensive repairs.
Taking it In
Getting everything in writing, from the estimate to a warranty on your repairs, is necessary to getting the most out of your auto repair shop or experience. If you need the work done fast, there are also a few tips you can use to try to shave the repair time down.
Sometimes, there are other cars and trucks ahead of yours and there's nothing your mechanic can do to speed up the process. However, you can help your auto shop out and get the work done quicker if you take your vehicle in on Monday morning rather than Friday afternoon, Popular Mechanics reports. Friday afternoons are the busiest time for mechanics, as they're rushing to finish their work. Mondays are more organized and mechanics have fewer cars to fit in.
If you need your car back in a hurry, you must also give your auto repair shop your phone number and be available to them. After examining your vehicle, a technician will need to call you to give you an estimate and get your OK before starting his or her work. Make sure you answer your phone and return the shop's calls in a timely manner to ensure you get your car back as soon as possible.
You can get quality work done on your car or truck for an affordable price if you learn about your vehicle and do your due diligence by getting everything in writing and always getting a second opinion. Read your car owner's manual, compare repair prices and don't let a shop pressure you into buying services you don't need.