Preparing Your Car for Summer

The month of June is here, and summer is just around the corner. While the months of winter require a lot of prepping up for your car, the months of summer have their own set of demands. Be sure that your car is summer-ready to avoid unnecessary trips to the auto repair shops. Below is an outline of the things that you must do to prep up your car (and yourself) for the heat:

1. Keep your cooling system in top shape.

The first part that you need to secure during summer is your engine—it can easily overheat under the sun. So, be sure that your entire cooling system is in good health, capable of cooling the engine at all times.

2. Keep all your automotive fluids at the correct level.

This goes especially true for the coolant and oil in your ride. The coolant is crucial for engine heat collection and dissipation while the oil is vital for reducing friction and heat among working metal parts.

3. Keep your AC system in good shape.

While your engine needs to be cool, you need to remain cool as well. And for that, your only hope is the AC system. Be sure that all AC parts are working well and that the lines are okay. These will guarantee proper refrigerant circulation and sufficient cooling inside your vehicle cabin.

4. Try a heat shield.

If you’re parking your vehicle in a public area under the heat of the sun, you may want to get a heat shield to keep your ride from turning into a gigantic oven. This is a cheap addition that will help a lot in keeping your drive comfortable.

So, are you ready for summer? Check your car now while the heat is not yet in full blast.

Choosing the Right Auto Repair Shop 101

We’ve been talking about auto repair rip-off avoidance in the past as a better option compared to having the need to fight off a rip-off after it has occurred. And, I’ve also stressed out several times how important finding a good shop is—it’s still the best way to have a good auto repair experience and avoid repair problems.

Here, we take a look again at the things you need to consider when looking for a good shop to entrust your car to:

1. Certification

Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) is a basic seal or certification that you need to look into when it comes to the mechanics handling your car. If you’re looking at the entire shop, check out for the ASE Blue Seal of Excellence, a proof that at least 75% of the techs working in the shop have ASE certification. Next week, we’ll look at a list of certifications that you can look into as proof of a shop’s excellence and reliability.

2. Record

When it comes to shop records, the Better Business Bureau is an institution that can help you. Whereas the certifications mentioned above will give you proof of excellence and skills, institutions like the BBB will tend to provide you with a complete picture that considers the overall attitude of shop mechanics. Any complaint about the shop, you will find here.

3. Specialty

We’ve already talked about skills and attitude, now let’s move on to expertise. I remember mentioning once that auto repair shops are not know-it-all. Even the most general shop will have shortcomings in terms of the automotive systems that they can handle. So, if you have a car problem that requires specialty, choose the shop that can deal with the problem well.

With these three things in mind, you’ll be a step ahead in your search for the right auto repair shop.

Coolant Flushes: How Necessary? How Often?

Next to an oil change, a coolant flush is probably one of the most commonly offered services in an auto repair shop. And, it is one service that sometimes lends itself as a tool for a rip-off.

For one, many shops charge a very high rate for a coolant flush. I’ve heard of a shop that charges around $115 for the said service, saying that the job consumes a lot of time to finish. In reality, it’s a pretty simple job that even average car drivers can easily accomplish on their own. Of course, you just have to be careful in handling the coolant.

In other instances, some shops would recommend the service even if it’s not yet time to flush the coolant. They’ll look at your car and inspect it according to the problem that you mention, and just tell you that you also need new coolant. As a car owner, it’s your responsibility to know when the correct interval for changing coolant in your vehicle is. The absence of knowledge can easily lead you to take on the suggestion of your mechanic even if it’s not yet really time for a coolant flush.

Aside from the knowledge of the correct coolant interval in your car, you also need to be familiar with the type of coolant that is in your vehicle. There’s a new “breed” of coolant nowadays that requires a longer time to flush, unlike the usual ethylene glycol. If you have the coolant whose change interval is 100,000 miles, you will need less frequent coolant flushes. Check out the information in your car manual to learn more about the correct flushing interval. This knowledge can help you save a lot on car maintenance and automotive services while also making you less prone to automotive rip offs.

The Secrets Surrounding Auto Repair Shop Work Set Up

Money is the driving force behind all (or most) of the auto repair rip-offs taking place today. And sad to say, many auto repair shops are even promoting an environment that makes rip-offs one of the easiest options for its technicians and mechanics.

Most of us are familiar with the flat rate, a paying system that demands consumers to pay according to the number of hours that the book says, regardless of the actual number of hours consumed in the repair. Although this is reasonable (after all, a good, experienced, and fast-working mechanic deserves a good pay), it is often abused by mechanics who want to earn more, rushing the work, which results in poor repair.

And, with some (or most) shops requiring quota from their technicians, these individuals are even more tempted to rush the job just so they would reach their target and not get in trouble with their boss. In many instances, the said quota doesn’t consider the skills of the technicians—it stands the same whether the tech is skilled or not. So, woe to the customer who is assigned a technician who is unskilled, and whose only hope at meeting the quota is to rush the work even though the result becomes poor.

If you think these are serious enough, then wait until you hear this one more. I’ve heard about a shop that offers incentives on its mechanics for selling a service that sells low on usual days. While this may be valid, this system led to mechanics misleading customers into believing that their car needs the said service even when it really doesn’t—all for the sake of the incentive that was being offered by the shop.

You see, some of the practices mentioned above are actually implemented not for the purpose of ripping off car owners. However, they create an environment that gives way to the latter. And while we cannot control these, all we can do is be careful.

The Effects of Auto Repair Rip Off: More than Just the Expense

Auto repair rip offs leave a bad taste in the mouth for many reasons, foremost of which is the ballooning cost that these demand from car owners. But, while the focus has always been on unnecessary and huge repair expenses, there are actually more to these illegal practices. Other than the money you spend for nothing, there are other crucial concerns. Check these out:

1. Safety

Shoddy automotive work can mean premature part damage, non-functioning components, and unexpected system failure—and all these can lead to accidents. If the rip off had been done on a repair involving a crucial system like the brakes or the steering assembly, you’ll never know what might happen while you’re driving on a busy highway.

2. Convenience

Poor repair would almost always result in the failure of the part or assembly involved, and this would just mean the need to return to the shop, or to another repair facility—wasting your time, effort, and energy. If you’re going on a long travel, the sudden breakdown of the parts would mean a lot of trouble for you.

3. Trauma and stress

Most individuals who have experienced an auto repair rip-off become traumatized after the incident, especially if there’s harassment or outright hostility involved. It’s no wonder many people view the auto repair industry with disfavor—because of these incidents. Some people even reach the point of dreading instances of going to auto repair shops, fearing that they’ll encounter an experience similar to a past one.

So you see, the effects of auto repair rip offs reach far and wide—these effects go beyond the money involved. And sad to say, the positive elements of the industry and the picture of honest mechanics are losing the limelight, replaced by those of the unscrupulous individuals who take advantage of unsuspecting car owners.

DIY Saturday: Some Add-ons to Consider to Protect Your Vehicle from Damage

They say prevention is better than cure, and that especially applies when it comes to your vehicle. Aside from regular maintenance, one way to arrest and prevent the occurrence of any problem is by getting parts that will protect your ride from any possible damage. Here, we outline some of the things that you can get to help you save on repair costs.

1. Floor Mats. These are simple mats (plastic or rubber) that you simply place on your floor area to protect that metal panel from dirt, water and mud from your shoes, as well as spills when you drive. The said elements can intensify wear and tear on the floor area, and you may just wake up one day with a rusted and corroded floor. Prevent this with floor mats.

2. Tonneau Covers. These are ideal for trucks, protective truck bed add-ons that will cover the bed and all the cargos that you place inside. The result? You don’t only get a neat look—you also protect the cargos and the truck bed from rainwater, snow, sunrays, and other elements that can cause damage.

3. Car Covers. Your car needs protection even when parked. In fact, it has to be protected even when it’s just inside your garage! And when it comes to stationary protection for your car, nothing beats a good car cover. Choose a breathable cover, an all-weather type if you park your vehicle outside the home, and one that’s custom-made to fit your vehicle well.

These vehicle add-ons are very simple, but they go a long way when it comes to offering protection to your vehicle. While your car is still in good shape and not yet damaged in any way, it’s a good idea to invest on any of these, and more, to keep your ride in tiptop condition for a long time.

Friday’s Advice: Voiding Your Auto Warranty

Last week, we’ve talked about checking recalls and TSBs as a means to save on auto repairs. There’s actually another means to save, if you’ll just pay attention to it: your auto warranty. There may be parts in your vehicle that are covered by specific warranties, so you don’t have to shell out big bucks when you replace them.

If your car is still covered by warranty and you want to be sure that you’ll get the most out of that warranty, it’s important that you take care not to commit actions that can result in voiding the warranty on your car and its parts. What are some of the actions that you have to watch out for?

Well, one is maintenance. When a part gets damaged and the manufacturer finds that it is poorly maintained, you may be denied a warranty claim. While your car is still under warranty, it’s very important that you follow the recommended maintenance to avoid problems should the need for warranty claim arises.

Another is the installation of aftermarket parts. It’s not advised that you mount upgrades to your vehicle while it’s under warranty. When any problem occurs and the carmaker finds any relationship between the upgrade and the problem, your warranty will end up void.

The use of your vehicle in extreme activities can also void its warranty (especially if your car is not designed for such rides). This is termed as misuse, and this can include the use of a vehicle in such activities as racing.

Finally, odometer tampering is one other common reason that can void an auto warranty.

If you want to know all the dos and don’ts when it comes to your vehicle, carefully read the contract as this will state all the requirements that you need to follow.

A Look at After Warranty Assistance

Most warranties cover three years, but do you know that the said rule can be bent a little when needed? About.com talked about what is so-called as a “secret warranty.”

What exactly is this kind of warranty, and how can it benefit you? Well, this is an after warranty assistance, a kind of “warranty after the warranty” – meaning, this is offered when the given warranty has already expired (but, only for a short time after warranty expiry). This kind of warranty, however, is only offered when you asked. And, it is only given according to the discretion of the manufacturer.

If you encounter any problem in your car a few days after its warranty has expired, you have another option aside from bringing your car to an auto repair shop and spending on car repair. You can try getting in touch with the manufacturer to ask for help on the repair of the part involved.

Most manufacturers will consider the idea of providing assistance as long as: (1) the customer is loyal to the company, and (2) the correct interval has been followed when it comes to the maintenance of the vehicle.

The first is important because it shows the manufacturer that you’re bringing them some profit, that you’re a contributing car owner, so to speak. And, they can get some more benefits when they help you. Meanwhile, the second is sort of like standard procedure. Of course, no shop would want to offer assistance if the mechanics know that you’re not taking good care of your vehicle.

The first thing to do to avail of this warranty is to just try. The manufacturer may not shoulder the whole bill, but there’s a great chance it will slash off a certain amount from what you have to pay for the repair.

A Tale of Auto Repair Scam

I came across this story online just recently, that of a man who has been sentenced to prison after being found to have scammed insurance companies. The style was typical, only he was not directly ripping off the customers and car owners who came to his shop—he was ripping off their insurance companies.

Robert Buckingham of the Robert Christopher Collision practiced the fraud from 2005-2006. Some of the things he did are as follow:

1. He exaggerated the damage of cars brought to his shop in order to get more money on insurance claims.

2. He claimed for payment on new parts despite the fact that he used old parts on the cars brought in for repair.

3. In a similar manner, he claimed for payment on replacement parts when in fact he just fixed the damaged parts on the cars of his customers.

4. He filed insurance claims for repairs that were not actually finished.

It was found that Buckingham committed the fraudulent act together with other employees working in the facility. Some of these employees have already admitted to the act and were given their respective sentence some years ago. The case includes five vehicles, and the insurance companies involved are New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance, Travelers Auto Insurance, Selective Insurance, and Mercury Insurance. The defendant pleaded guilty to the fraudulent act.

As a result, he has been sentenced to three years in prison, and possible fine for civil insurance fraud. As of now, a complaint is also filed to ask for the forfeiture of the property utilized by the facility.

You see, auto repair rip offs and fraud can take on many forms, but they’re all the same any way you look at them. And, it’s a good thing that people are starting to take action about this situation.

A Look at the Usual Auto Repair Warranty

Warranty is one controversial issue in auto repair, and there are a lot of gray areas when it comes to this topic. What warranty are you entitled to when you have your vehicle repaired? How long is the said warranty in effect? What are the exceptions? And what are the processes involved when it comes to the processing of claims?

An auto repair warranty is a detail-filled document that requires careful paying of attention. This document varies from shop to shop, from case to case, so you can’t expect a previous repair warranty to be similar to the warranty that you’ll get on a present repair. As to the questions mentioned above, there’s no specific answer that applies to all situations.

So, given this fact, it is of utmost importance that you pay attention to the complete details in the warranty offered by an auto repair shop. There are certain details that you need to look into when checking out any warranty from a shop.

Aside from the usual details (such as the time covered by the warranty), you also have to look into the smaller but more important details like deductibles, if any. Other pertinent information that you need to check would be the shops that can perform warranty repair—this is important in case you need the repair while you’re in a different place. In the same manner, you have to know the procedures involved in making a warranty claim.

The process is crucial because it is sometimes the reason a claim is denied despite its validity. Every small detail in the claim procedure must be checked and followed to ensure that the claim will be approved and that approval will not be delayed.

And when you go for a repair, be sure that you get a copy of the warranty afterwards so that you won’t have troubles should problems arise.

DIY Saturday: Weird Automotive Smells and What They Mean

Diagnosis is usually the first step to solving any problem in your vehicle. And if you want to save on auto repair costs by doing a repair the DIY way, then you must learn techniques to doing diagnosis. As I have already mentioned in this blog, diagnosing a car problem means using all your senses to find the culprit behind that problem. And when it comes to your senses, one of the most important senses that you have to use would be your nose, your sense of smell.

Weird odors are among the most common culprits behind a problem, and there can be a variety of odors depending on the issue. Below, we look at the three common odors that you need to pay attention to:

1. Gasoline smell

Needless to say, this is a dangerous smell. And, the most common reason behind this is a leak of your car fuel. It could be a leak on the fuel lines, the fuel pump, or even on the fuel cap. This problem should be attended to at once. Otherwise, a fire could always result, and the worst this could lead to is an explosion, something you sure don’t want in your car.

2. Rotten egg smell

This is a common smell that indicates a problem with the catalytic converter or the exhaust assembly. This means that you’re having an emissions trouble, and your car’s exhaust components need replacing or fixing. Attend to this at once before the problem gets more serious.

3. Burning smell

This could mean a problem in your car’s electrical system—a burnt out fuse or switch, or a shorted component. Like all the problems mentioned above, this also demands attention and must not be neglected.

If you notice any of the smells discussed, be sure that you do the necessary diagnosis to find the problem, address it, and prevent further troubles.

Friday’s Advice: Finding Areas to Reduce Expenses on Car Repair (A Review)

Who wants to reduce their expenses on car repairs? For sure, everybody does. But, who’s making a way to get that reduction? Chances are, not all do. Or, not all are aware that they can.

I’ve already talked a lot about auto repairs, rip-offs, avoidance, and ways to save on repairs. In this post, I just want to sum up all that I’ve mentioned before to give concrete examples of ways to save on auto repairs.

1. Recall and TSB

These I have mentioned in my last few posts. By being aware of recalls issued on your car, you can save on repair costs. On the other hand, being aware of issued TSBs can save you on unnecessary expenses due to wrong diagnosis and incorrect repairs.

2. Replacement parts

By being resourceful, you can find ways to save on the part that you mount as a replacement. Although some shops will not allow you to buy your replacement on other sources, there are shops that allow this set up, and this is a great way to save on repair costs.

3. Labor

When it comes to labor cost, there is a so-called flat rate or a book rate, which means the shop bills according to the manufacturer-indicated amount of time for the specific repair, regardless how long the actual repair takes. Meanwhile, a straight hour rate is a rate based on the actual amount of time consumed to do the repair.

4. Work done

To reiterate, you can save a lot on auto repairs by being a DIYer. By familiarizing yourself with the automotive basics, you will not be totally dependent on auto repair shops when it comes to problems, so you won’t have to shell out cash every once in a while.

With all these means, it would be easy to save more on auto repairs.

Differentiating Between a Recall and a Technical Service Bulletin

During the last two days this week, we’ve been talking about recalls and technical bulletins as things that all drivers need to know when bringing their car to a shop, and a means to reduce repair expenses. Recalls and TSBs, however, are two different things.

RECALL:

This is issued by a manufacturer either voluntarily or due to a demand from the NHTSA. The latter is usually issued when the problem is deemed to affect the safety of the car occupants while the former is issued as determined by the manufacturer. When a recall is made, you would have to bring your car to the dealer to have it repaired.

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN:

TSBs are similar to recalls for the reason that they are also issued by manufacturers and they also concern problems reported by consumers. Only, this bulletin is drawn primarily as a guide to dealerships and auto mechanics in performing common repairs—contrary to recalls, whose main aim is to ask owners to bring their car to the dealership for a fix to the problem. TSBs only serve as guides to make diagnosis of problems easy, especially problems that are a headache to diagnose.

COST DIFFERENCE:

The biggest difference (and the most relevant) between the two is in terms of cost. Whereas a recall automatically means the repair to be done is free of charge (or reimbursable), this is not always the case with a TSB. If your car is still under warranty, then the repair cost is free. But, in case it’s already out of warranty, then you’d have to pay for the repair. The only benefit you’ll get here (aside from avoiding more serious problems and accidents because you’re informed), is that you won’t have to deal with too long a diagnosis because you and the mechanic will know what to do at once.

What to Do When You Had an Auto Repair and Found a Recall Notice Later On

This is a common issue: you bring your car to an auto repair shop to have a problem fixed, you pay for the repair, and then later on discovered that there has been a recall of the part that you had fixed. So what do you do now?

WHAT TO DO:

Well, the first thing to do in this case is to prepare to file for a reimbursement. Among the most important things that you’ll need during the filing process are the documents that show proof of the repair done on your car. You must also show proof that the repair performed on your vehicle solved the problem for the reimbursement to be approved. You can find forms online or in the website of the manufacturer of your car. You just have to fill up the forms, send to the concerned individuals, and then wait for notice of action.

WHICH CAN BE REIMBURSED:

There’s been this belief that manufacturers will only reimburse payment for repair when the repair was done in the dealership, but you can actually be reimbursed even if you brought your car to a third party auto repair shop as long as you had proper documentation. In fact, some are reimbursed even if they do the job themselves—just that the reimbursement is only for the part mounted and not for the labor.

You can also claim for a reimbursement when you had the vehicle repaired after a notice had been released, if you haven’t received the notice yet or if it’s an emergency situation or were not aware that the problem was related to the recall done. Just call the manufacturer and negotiate.

SOME CONDITIONS:

If there’s one condition here, it’s that your car has to be 10 years old or below based on the date of purchase. Older than 10 years old and you your car is already excluded from the recall.

A Look at Recalls, and How They Can Benefit You during Auto Repairs

Auto repairs are becoming more and more expensive at present. And when you add in the cost of replacement parts, it’s no wonder many car owners dread going to auto repair shops these days. You should know, however, that there are certain areas in auto repairs in which you could save. All you really have to do is to be resourceful.

One way to save on car repair is to check out for TSBs or recalls made on your car make and model—some of these might be related to the problem you’re having, the reason you’re bringing your car to an auto repair shop. And if this is the case, then you won’t have to spend on the repair.

The repair related to the recall is done for free. Notices of recalls are actually sent to car owners. But, in case you haven’t received any, it pays to still check.

Auto repair shops are tasked to check whether the problem you’re having in your car is related to a recall or TSB. It should be listed in the repair order as a recommended repair. However, not all mechanics may do this. Some will charge you for a repair even though it’s part of a recall.

Because of this, it’s a good idea to do the checking yourself. This way, you avoid chances of being charged by a shop on a repair that you could have availed for free. You can check online for notices of recalls and TSBs. You can visit the website of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for a list.

In the next posts, we’ll try to take a closer look at recalls and technical service bulletins and differentiate the two. We’ll also find some answers to possible problems that might arise in relation to this issue.

DIY Saturday: How to Use a Dipstick

You can compare the benefit of oil to your engine to the benefit of air to human beings. And much as we need to breathe in air so that we can survive daily, the engine needs oil so that it can work properly. One important part of car maintenance is the regular checking of the oil level in your engine, and this is a simple enough task that you can do anytime. How? Through a dipstick.

REMINDER: Be sure that your car is parked on a flat surface before you do the job to ensure that the level is accurate.

1. Locate the dipstick, which is under the hood of your vehicle. This is a long metal stick inserted in the engine. Depending on your vehicle, it may be bright in color or it may have the word “oil” on it.

2. Pull out the dipstick (it has a loop that you can hold) and wipe it off with a rag until the oil in it is removed.

3. To measure, re-insert it inside the engine (as far as you can) and then take it out.

4. Hold it horizontally to inspect the oil marking. You’ll see near the tip of the stick that it has two lines with crisscross marks between. The oil level should be within these lines. When it falls below, that means you need to load up.

5. Do the refill slowly, and be careful not to overfill – better fill less and just add more later than fill more and remove some. In between refills, check the level again and again until the measurement falls within the correct limit.

6. Once done, replace the stick on the engine and tighten the cap to avoid oil spills.

With the process done regularly, you can be sure your engine will always work in tiptop condition.

Friday’s Advice: A Look at Mechanic Etiquette

Just like your family physician, your favorite hair stylist, or your trusted financial mentor, a mechanic can be a great partner in your daily activities, especially concerning the welfare of your car. But, in the same way that you observe proper manner when dealing with the said personalities, there also exists such thing as mechanic etiquette.

A good relationship with any mechanic is one that is built over the years, so don’t expect instant success. Among the things that you need to observe when dealing with your mechanic are the small courtesies and forms of kindness. So which is okay, which is not, and which is fine both ways? Take a look at three of these below:

1. Asking a mechanic to install a part that you get from another source. So you bring your car to an auto repair shop, and the mechanic diagnoses a problem. Instead of getting the needed part from the shop, however, you get it from another source that is cheaper, and bring it to the mechanic to be installed. Well, in reality this can be done and most mechanics would agree. Only, don’t expect warranty on the part installed.

2. Asking a mechanic for second opinion. I’ve mentioned this in one of my posts before. In case you brought your car to another mechanic and then realize later on that you need the opinion of your previous tech, you can ask for that. But, if at all possible, don’t tell that it’s a second opinion.

3. Tipping a mechanic for work done. This isn’t necessary nowadays, although you can do it if you’re that thankful to your mechanic for a job done. Over the years, when you already develop a good relationship with your mechanic, there are many ways to pay your mechanic—invite him on social gatherings, out for coffee, and many others.

Some Small Things to Remember When Visiting an Auto Repair Shop

Since the beginning of this blog, we’ve been talking about auto repair rip-offs and unscrupulous practices by some automotive mechanics. Other than avoiding rip-offs, however, I figured it’s also a good idea to talk about improving our overall auto repair shop experience, not only in terms of the financial side of the matter but as well as the overall ordeal.

The overall shop experience of car owners is defined not only by the major and obvious things, but as well as by the small stuff during your shop visit. And to ensure that you’ll have a good auto repair shop experience, there are some things that you need to keep in mind. Three of these are as follow:

1. Set an appointment before you go to the shop. Similar to many other types of appointment, visiting a shop entails that you call first and check availability of mechanics during the schedule that you prefer. After all, there’s nothing more annoying than driving to the shop and wasting your fuel only to find out that no one in the shop is available to work on your car.

2. Shops can’t solve all your automotive dilemmas. Sure, most shops can handle general repairs and simple automotive and installation jobs, but there are jobs that require specialization and may need shops specializing in the said task. There are only a few shops that can handle everything, so it pays to shop around before bringing your car to a particular repair facility.

3. Don’t expect the worst. You may encounter shop mechanics who will make the real problem seem a little bit more serious, for the sake of urgency and upselling. But don’t give in to these. Investigate and inquire until you see the real scenario.

By keeping all these things in mind, you can expect comfort and peace of mind during your shop visits.

Some Hard Facts You Need to Swallow When You Bring Your Car to a Shop

Auto repair rip-offs are becoming more common these days in the auto repair industry. Other than this, repair rates are also getting higher. There are things, however, which you may find hard to accept but are actually acceptable trends that have developed in the said industry over the years. There are also certain truths about rip-offs that may sting, but are worth considering. Take a look at these:

1. When you bring your car to a shop for repair, you don’t actually pay just for the repair. In reality, the total amount that you pay does not cover the labor and parts alone. For one, there’s tax. Added to this, the fact is that a portion of your payment is also for shop tools, another portion is for the operating maintenance of the shop, and so on and so forth.

2. When you pay for a certain task, you don’t pay for the actual number of hours consumed to do the work; you pay for the projected number of hours for that work. This is the case with many shops. For every kind of task, the car manufacturer estimates the number of hours needed to accomplish the said task. And, it is in that on which many mechanics rely. For instance, if the manufacturer of your car says that replacing its alternator can be done for a couple of hours, the mechanic will charge labor for two hours, even if he was able to finish the task in less than that amount of time.

3. If you’ve been ripped off, you’re part of the blame. This may sound cruel, but in most cases this is true—you have a teeny tiny bit of percentage of blame for what happened. In the first place, you should know enough to watch out for things like rip-offs. You should familiarize yourself with your vehicle. And you must shop for a trusted shop. But whatever your mistake here, you can rectify by complaining about the shop who did the rip off. That’s the first step.

The Right to Complain

Sure, many mechanics are dishonest. Many shops are out to rip you off. And many car owners have been victims of these mechanics and shops. There’s just one question that you have to ask, though: what is being done about this? Well, there are institutions that help victims deal with problems with auto repair shops.

You have to understand, though, that everything should come from the end of the car owner. The mentioned institutions won’t be able to do anything if the car owners will not cooperate and take the lead. The first thing to do about this is to merely learn to complain and to fight for one’s rights. Complaining is actually the key.

This is where the difference lies. In actuality, there are a lot of auto repair rip offs happening today. But, not all of these rip-offs are known to us. Why? Because not all of these are reported. Because not all individuals complain. Because not all car owners resolve to fight for their rights even if they find out they’ve been ripped off. And as long as the situation remains like this, nothing will happen; the practice will continue.

So, as a car owner and as a customer, you must recognize your right to complain whenever you become unsatisfied with the service that you have received. I have already talked about the proper way to complain in one of my previous posts, and that can serve as your guide so that you’ll get desirable results. Remember that by complaining, you do not only get justice; you also bring to light circumstances like this and you help other victims get justice for themselves.

So speak up and assert your right. This is not only a benefit that you can enjoy but also a responsibility on your part.

DIY Saturday: When It’s Normal, When It’s Not (Part II)

This post is the second half of my last DIY post, which talked about the different conditions in a vehicle and determined whether they are normal or not. The first two conditions mentioned in my last post were the presence of metal shavings in the oil pan and the presence of a pool of fluid underneath the car. In this post, we’ll look at another condition and determine which is normal and which is not. Read on.

Normal: Some steering fluid leaking from the power steering cap.

There are instances when you will notice traces of power steering fluid around the cap, and this doesn’t actually mean that there is anything damaged in your car. There’s actually a vent in the cap, and that vent is designed to allow fluid to leak out when needed. That leak could happen because you might have overfilled the power steering, and that’s only but normal.

Not Normal: Too much steering fluid leak that doesn’t seem to go away.

If you notice, however, that the leak has gone more serious and is almost always there, that could mean there’s an underlying problem. You might have a damaged gasket in the cap. Look into the possibility of overheating as well. The PS fluid might be continuously expanding, and therefore leaking, because it’s already too hot.

If this is the case, then you need to find out the reason for the overheating. Otherwise, if you neglect this, that continuous overheating and fluid expanding and leaking could eventually lead to the loss of power steering fluid in the system. And when that happens, you’ll have a problem with steering your car and you may also cause damage to some steering components.

Therefore, if you notice a problem like this, don’t panic. But, don’t be complacent, as well. Take the necessary action to fix the problem.

Friday’s Advice: Dealing with a Warranty Dispute and Filing a Warranty Claim

Warranty issues are among the problems that many car owners have to deal with every now and then. This could include the failure of the other party to honor what is written in the warranty, tricky warranty clauses, as well as other rip-off-designed practices.

But, there are actually some things that you can do to ensure that you will not emerge the loser in a warranty negotiation. As a car owner and a customer, there are some precautions that you can take in order to avoid wasting your hard-earned money.

First and foremost, negotiate within. Meaning, talk to the people involved, the people within the shop–such as the manager. If there’s someone who can act on your complaint or on the issue, that would be the manager. Before you escalate the issue outside of the shop, try to work it out with the people involved.

However, if the issue is not resolved, then there are agencies or institutions in which you can file a complaint. If your case really has basis, then you’re more likely to get justice and to salvage your money.

Just remember that you must be fully familiar with all the conditions in the warranty. This way, you’ll know whether a dispute is worth your time and energy. Also, remember to keep all the pertinent documents that you might need during the negotiation, such as complete receipts. Be particular even with the smallest details such as time–details like this might make all the difference.

Of course, nothing beats prevention. Even before a problem occurs, be sure that you carefully study any warranty offer and familiarize yourself with all the details. With all these in mind, you are rest assured that whatever dispute you get into with an auto repair shop, you’ll emerge the one on top.

Putting a Shop to the Test

Not sure whether the auto repair shop that you’re eyeing is a good pick? Are you worried that the said shop might be similar to many others out there when it comes to their unscrupulous practices? Your feeling is but normal, due mainly to the great number of mechanics out there who are dishonest. So, it pays to be cautious when you’re dealing with a mechanic, especially one that you’re not sure of or one that you have not tried before.

Not many people may think of doing this, but you can actually test the shop that you’re considering to determine whether it’s a good choice or not. As I’ve mentioned in one of my previous posts, it’s not a good idea to entrust a major job to a shop you have not tried before. So, start with a small task.

I’ve heard of someone who marked the filter of his car and brought the car to a new shop for a filter servicing. After the job, the person received a bill which includes a charge for the new filter. However, upon checking of the filter, he was able to determine that it was the old one, because the mark that he made was still there.

Well, average drivers will not have any idea that their car’s filter was never replaced, since many also rely on the words of their mechanic alone. Can you imagine just how many customers the said shop might have deceived? If the person never did anything, he might have entrusted his car to the said shop, even when it comes to major repairs, and suffer more rip-offs and problems in the long run.

Therefore, it really pays to be always on guard when dealing with a shop, first time or not. By thinking ahead and being ready, you can avoid dilemmas and headaches.

Examining Service Contracts

Warranty had been one of the topics for discussion during one of my latest posts. Another similar document, so to speak, is a service contract. This is actually more common when buying vehicles, and it’s similar to a warranty, except that it’s optional and it comes with a fee. Looking at it, it’s more like an extended warranty that you buy for your vehicle.

These contracts come in different types, according to the specific repairs that they cover. And thus, they are also priced differently. Similar to the selection of a warranty, it’s also important to pay attention to the small details involved in selecting a service contract. This is even more important because you always pay for this. So, you need to be sure that you’ll get the most out of what you pay for.

Some of the things that you need to consider here are similar to what you must check in a warranty. Ask yourself these questions: how much is the service contract? What repairs does it cover? Are there deductibles when I go in for a repair under the contract? What institutions or shops are allowed to do the repair when I need one?

Of course, you need to check the processes involved when you claim a repair under this, as well as possible requirements. You need to always anticipate a possible dispute in the future, and you have to be prepared for this as early as the time when you get the contract.

And, see to it that the company from which you buy the contract is good and to be trusted. You don’t want to deal with a company having any history or record of giving its previous clients a hard time during the repair or the filing of the claim, now do you?

Mechanic Rudeness and Inefficiency

Many of us have had our share of nightmares when dealing with auto repair shops and shop mechanics—from mechanics that will perform unneeded repairs just to charge a higher fee, to those that will tell you they’ve replaced a part even if they actually didn’t, and those that will perform a repair that you did not permit and then charge you for it later on. Other than these, however, there are also mechanics who are outright rude to their customers.

I have a buddy who once encountered a mechanic that performed a wrong job, and then threatened him when he complained about the job. Some mechanics use physical intimidation to get away from their deeds, and many poor customers give in to this tactic, suffering from unsatisfactory service and sometimes, even more damage and expenses than what was originally present.

Some mechanics are merely irresponsible, leaving their customers hanging when they leave an automotive job while it’s not yet done. And the result? Well, the poor customers are left without a car for several days. Others are merely inefficient, repairing a car, only to cause more damage and then make excuses, telling the customer that the new problem is totally unrelated to the first one.

Most unscrupulous mechanics choose their victims carefully. They get easily rude to people they think will not stand up to them. Others may simply be enjoying the feeling of being in control, especially if they encounter a customer who knows nothing about his vehicle and who solely relies on the mechanic’s words.

And sometimes, mechanics get away with these because customers don’t complain. As a good advice, customers should always be assertive and should know their rights. And when a problem happens, there are always institutions to which one can file a complaint against the erring shop or mechanic.