The best way to avoid car repair scams is to be prepared. A good starting point is knowing how your vehicle works and knowing how to identify the most common car problems. It's also important to know how to select a good technician or mechanic, the types of questions to ask, and your consumer rights. Knowing this kind of information about your car can help you avoid technical errors.
Repair Information
How to prevent problems
How to correct the problems
Repair Information
How to choose a repair shop
What should I consider when choosing a repair shop?
Ask friends, family, and others you trust for recommendations. To avoid a hasty decision, find a repair shop before the need arises.
Shop around by phone and compare options to get the best deal, as well as compare warranty policies for repairs.
If state or local laws have any registration or licensing requirements for repair shops, ask for them and see if they are up to date. You can also contact your state Attorney General 's office or local consumer protection agency to find out if they have complaints about a particular repair shop.
Make sure the repair shop meets the requirements of your vehicle's warranty.
How to choose a technician
Is there one technician better than another?
Look for shops that display various certifications – for example, an Automotive Service Excellence seal of excellence . Certification indicates that some or all of the repair shop technicians meet basic standards of knowledge and competency in specific technical areas. Make sure certifications are current, but remember that certification alone is no guarantee of honest and well-done work.
Ask if the technician or shop has experience repairing the same make or model vehicle as your car.
Repair charges: How to solve the mystery
Before authorizing repair work, ask the shop how they calculate prices. Some shops charge a flat fee for car repair labor. This published rate is based on an estimate – independent or from the manufacturer – of the time it takes to make the repairs. Other shops charge fees that are based on the actual time the technician spent making the repair.
If your vehicle needs complicated or expensive repairs or you have questions about the work you are recommended to do, consider getting a second opinion.
Find out if you will be charged a diagnostic fee if you decide to have the repair work done at another shop. Many repair shops charge a fee for the time it takes to diagnose.
Shops that only do diagnostic work and don't sell parts or do repairs can give you an objective opinion on needed repairs.
If you decide to do the repair work, ask for a written estimate.
What things should a written budget include?
The budget must identify the problem or damage to be repaired, the necessary parts and the expected charge for labor. Ask to be given a signed copy of the budget.
You should also mention that the shop will contact you for your approval before beginning any work that exceeds the specified amount of money or time period. State laws may establish this requirement.
What should I know about the parts to be repaired or replaced?
The parts are classified as follows:
New – These parts are generally manufactured to the original manufacturer's specifications, either by the vehicle manufacturer or by an independent company. Your state law may require repair shops to tell you if they won't be using genuine parts to fix your car. The prices and quality of these parts are variable.
Remanufactured, Rebuilt, and Reconditioned – These terms generally mean the same thing: they are parts that have been refurbished and are in good working order. Many manufacturers offer a warranty that covers replacement parts, but does not cover the cost of labor to install them.
Used or Second Hand – These are parts that are used from other vehicles and have not been altered. In some cases, second-hand or used parts may be the only resource to replace a failed part, but reliability is rarely guaranteed.
What do I have to do when the job is done?
Ask for a complete repair order that describes the work done. The order must list all repairs performed, parts installed by the shop, the cost of each part, charges for labor, and the number of miles on the mileage meter when you took the vehicle to the shop and when repair work was completed. Ask to be shown or given all replaced parts. State law may establish this requirement.
Preventive Maintenance
What are the consequences of postponing maintenance?
There are various parts of your vehicle that are interrelated. Skipping maintenance service can lead to problems: specific parts could fail – or an entire system. Neglecting even the simplest routine maintenance, like changing the oil or checking the coolant, can lead to poor fuel economy, unreliable driving or costly repair failures. It may also invalidate your warranty.
What guidelines should I follow to avoid costly repairs?
Follow the maintenance program proposed by the manufacturer according to the use you give your vehicle and that is detailed in your car manual. Some repair shops have their own maintenance schedules that require more service visits than the manufacturers recommend. Compare the maintenance schedules of the workshops with the one in your manual. Ask for explanations in the workshop – and make sure you understand them – so that they clarify why they recommend doing more services than those recommended by the car manufacturer.
How to protect your investment in your car repair
What are the warranties and service contracts that apply to auto repairs?
Guarantee
There are no “standard warranties” for repairs. Make sure you understand what is covered by your warranty and have it put in writing.
Be aware that warranties may be subject to limitations, including factors such as time, mileage, deductibles, dealers authorized to perform warranty work, or special procedures required to collect reimbursements.
To find out what your warranty rights are, read Warranties or ask your local consumer protection agency .
service contracts
Many vehicle dealers and other dealers sell option contracts – service contracts – operated by vehicle manufacturers or independent companies. Not all service contracts are the same; prices vary and are usually negotiable. To decide whether or not to purchase a service contract, consider the following:
Its cost.
Covered repairs.
If the coverage of the contract overlaps with the coverage offered by another guarantee.
The deductible.
Where the repairs will be made.
The procedures required to file a claim, for example, prior authorization for specific repairs or compliance with vehicle maintenance schedules.
Whether the company pays the repair shop directly for repair costs or whether you must pay first and file a claim later.
The reputation of the company offering the service contract. Check with your state Attorney General 's office or local consumer protection agency .
How do I go about resolving a problem related to billing, quality of repairs, or warranties?
Document all transactions as well as all of your experiences by noting dates, times, expenses, and names of people you dealt with.
First talk to the boss, manager or owner of the repair shop. If you can't resolve your problem, contact your state Attorney General 's office or your local consumer protection agency for help. These offices may have information on alternative dispute resolution programs available in your community. Another option is to file a lawsuit in small claims court. For these types of lawsuits, it is not necessary to hire an attorney.
How to prevent problems
The more you know about your vehicle, the more likely you are to prevent repair problems. You can detect many of the most common problems using your senses: looking at the area around your vehicle, listening for unusual noises, noticing a change when you drive your vehicle, or even noticing unusual odors.
looks like a problem
The appearance of small stains or an occasional leak of fluid under your vehicle may not mean much. But more widespread liquid or fluid stains deserve attention; check the composition of the drip immediately.
You can identify fluids by their color and consistency.
Yellowish green, light blue, or fluorescent orange stains indicate engine overheating or coolant leak caused by a faulty hose, water pump, or radiator leak.
A dark brown or black stain of oily fluid means the engine is losing oil. The leak may be due to a defective gasket or sealant.
A red oily stain indicates a transmission, power steering, or power steering fluid leak.
A clear puddle of water usually does not indicate a problem. It may be due to normal condensation from your vehicle's air conditioning.
smells like trouble
You can discover some problems with your nose by detecting them by their smell:
The smell of burnt toast – a mild but pungent odor – usually indicates an electrical short and burned insulation material. For added safety, try not to drive the vehicle until the problem is diagnosed.
A rotten egg odor – a persistent odor of burnt sulfur – usually indicates a problem with the catalytic converter or transformer or other emission control devices. Do not delay in making the diagnosis and repair.
A heavy acidic odor usually means burnt oil. Look for signs of oil loss.
The smell of gasoline after a failed start can mean that the engine is “flooded” with fuel. Wait one minute before trying to boot again. If the odor persists, there may be a fuel system leak – a potentially dangerous problem that needs immediate attention.
A smell of burning resin or an acidic chemical smell may be an indication of overheating of the brakes or clutch. Check the parking brake. stop. Wait for the brakes to cool before repeating hard braking on hilly roads. If there is a little smoke coming from the wheels it means that the brake is stuck. In that case, the vehicle must be towed for repair.
A sweet odor indicates a loss of coolant. If the temperature gauge or warning light does not indicate overheating, drive carefully to the nearest service station checking your temperature gauges. If this smell is coupled with another metallic smell and some smoke or steam is visible under the hood, the engine is overheated. Stop immediately. Continuing to drive under these conditions could severely damage the engine. You have to haul the vehicle to repair it.
sounds like a problem
Screeching, screeching, rattling, roaring, and other kinds of sounds are good clues to identifying problems and maintenance needs. These are the most common noises and their meanings.
Screeching – A high-pitched whirring or buzzing sound, usually related to engine speed, can indicate:
Loose or worn steering, ventilation or air conditioning belt.
Clicking – A slight high-pitched noise related to engine or vehicle speed may indicate:
Loose wheel cup or rim.
Fan blade loose or bent inward.
Blocked starting valve or low engine oil level.
Squeak – A high-pitched, stabbing metallic sound that usually occurs when the vehicle is in motion:
It may be caused by brake wear indicators telling you it's time for maintenance.
Roar – A deep rhythmic sound can indicate:
Defective exhaust pipe, transformer or damper.
Wear on the cardan joint or other driveline or steering component.
Metallic Sound – A high-pitched metallic knocking sound related to engine speed:
It is usually caused by using a lower octane gasoline than recommended. Check your car manual for the proper octane rating. If the problem persists, the engine ignition timing may be faulty.
Loud hammering – A rhythmic hammering sound can be due to:
Worn crankshaft or displacement of tie rod or connecting rod.
Loose or detached transmission torque converter.
Knocking Off – An occasional knocking or pounding can indicate:
Loose shock absorber or other loose suspension component.
Loose muffler or exhaust pipe.
feels like trouble
You may notice some symptoms while driving your car, you might notice rough ride, vibration and poor performance. These symptoms almost always indicate a problem.
Direction
Misaligned front wheels and/or worn steering components, for example, the drive gear or wheel or joint articulation can cause steering drift or difficulty keeping the vehicle in a straight line.
Yaw – the vehicle's tendency to yaw to the right or left – can be caused by something as routine as flat tires or tires or by something as serious as a front end failure or front end misalignment.
ride and handling
Worn shock absorbers or other suspension components – or improper tire or tire inflation – can lead to poor cornering ability.
While there is no set formula for replacing shock absorbers, try the following: Bounce the vehicle hard up and down on each wheel, then let it bounce on its own. Check how many times the vehicle bounces. If the shock absorbers are worn out the vehicle will bounce only once or twice.
In general, the elastics or springs of a vehicle do not wear out and there is no need to replace them unless one of the angles of the vehicle is lower than the rest. Overloading your vehicle can damage the suspension.
Have the wheels or tires properly balanced. An unbalanced or improperly balanced tire causes vehicle vibration and can prematurely wear steering and suspension components.
Brakes
Brake problems have several symptoms. Schedule a diagnosis and repair if:
When you apply the brake, the vehicle pulls to one side.
The brake pedal gets stuck to the floor when you maintain pressure on the pedal.
Hear or feel a grinding or grinding noise during braking.
The “brake” indicator light on the instrument panel comes on.
Motor
The following symptoms indicate an engine problem. Diagnose your vehicle and schedule repair,
Engine starting or starting problems.
The “check engine” indicator light on the instrument panel comes on.
It stalls abruptly or turns off.
Poor or insufficient acceleration.
Low fuel efficiency.
Excessive oil consumption (more than a quart of oil between two changes).
The engine continues to run after the ignition key is removed.
Transmission
If your car's transmission is malfunctioning, it may be due to a component failure or simply a disconnected hose or clogged filter. Make sure the technician checks the simplest things first; Transmission repairs are typically expensive. Some of the most common symptoms of transmission problems are:
Abrupt or hard gearing between gear changes or speeds.
Delay or lack of response when shifting from “neutral” to “drive” or “reverse”.
Shift failure during normal acceleration.
False acceleration. The engine revs up but the vehicle does not respond.
How to correct the problems
When your car has a problem, it doesn't always mean you have to do a big repair. Let's look at some of the most common causes of problems and techniques to help you and your technician find and fix them:
Alternator – If the alternator wires are loose or dislodged it may appear that your car's alternator is bad. Before replacing the alternator the technician should check for loose connections and perform a test.
Battery – If the battery terminals or posts are corroded or loose it may appear that your car's battery is dead or bad. Before replacing the battery, the technician should clean the terminals and perform a functional test.
Cranking – What appears to be a faulty cranking or ignition may actually be due to a dead or poorly connected battery. Before repairing the starter, have the technician check all connections and test the battery.
Muffler – A loud roaring noise under your vehicle indicates that a new muffler or exhaust pipe needs to be installed.
Tune Up – The good old “tune up” may not be relevant to your vehicle. Most modern vehicles have few parts that need replacement except for belts, spark plugs, hoses, and filters. Follow the recommendations detailed in your car manual.
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