13 + Things Your Car Mechanic Wont Tell You.

[kakatiya]

1. Watch out for scare tactics.

Admonitions like 'I wouldn't drive this another mile' should be viewed with suspicion.

 

 

 

 

Source: RD

[kakatiya]

2. Check for...

ASE 9National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence0 or AAA (America Automobile Association) certification, as well as a state license. Reputable shops are proud to display them.

 

[kakatiya]

3. Ask, ask, ask

...for recommendations, years in business, warranties offered, licenses, and the type of equipment used. Look for a clean garage. A floor cluttered with empty oil cans, worn tires, and dirty rags is a red flag.

 

[kakatiya]

4. Never sign a blank authorization form.

Always get a signed work order with a specific estimate for each job and warranties that apply.

 

[kakatiya]

5. It's nuts to take a car with engine problems to a shop without a good engine analyzer and scan tool.

 Any mechanic who says 'I don't need fancy equipment' should be avoided.

 

[kakatiya]

6. Synthetic motor oils may cost more...

...but you'll get a lot more miles between changes.

[kakatiya]

7. When you go for a second opinion...

...don't tell the mechanic what the first diagnosis and price were.

 

[kakatiya]

8. Coolant flushes and power steering flushes...

...are very common gimmicks at quick lubes. Check your owner's manual; many cars have fluid that is designed to go 100,000 miles. And cleaning fuel injectors is a waste of time and money. There are additives on the market that do a great job.

 

 

 

 

Monna Firestone vaady nee collant marustanu annadu.. color thick pink bane vundhi kada ante.. its fine for now after 5k miles green fluid firestone brand vestanu.. it is universal fluid annadu

 

 

UNIVERSAL FLUID ? TALK ABOUT universal TROUSER OR SHIRT that  you and ARNOLD can wear with perfect fit.

 

[kakatiya]

very important.. I usually buy from rockauto.com

 

9. Always ask for OE (original equipment) brake pads or at least equivalent material.

 A $49.95 brake job will usually get you the worst friction material you can buy-it's the difference between stopping short and causing a pileup on the way to work.

[kakatiya]

I strongly recommend ---> Costco tire center or BJ tire center or even Walamart or sams... others might trick you.. including dealers..

 

 

10. Ask about your new tire's 'build date.'

 If you're getting an unusually good deal, you might be receiving three-year-old treads, especially risky for snow tires.

 

[kakatiya]

11. Lifetime mufflers?

 

 What would ever make you think a muffler will last a lifetime? Yes, they'll give you free replacements, but they'll hit you over the head for expensive pipe repairs.

[kakatiya]

one of our DB member was about to spend tonns of money on catalyst converter. Remember most of the catalyst converters come with 85k miles warranty.. It is a federal regulation.. even if you have issues with say like spark plug and ignition problems at 80 k miles.. talk to your dealer and negotiate with him saying.. if you wont fix the ignition system eventually your catalyst converter is going to break.

 

 

12. Consult your dealer...

 

 ...before you have work done on a catalytic converter or emissions parts. Some of these items carry a very long warranty, and free replacement is often required by law.

[kakatiya]

13. It's not okay for your 'check engine' light to stay on all the time.

 It's probably not 'a loose gas cap.'

 

 

its funny how one time i forgot to crank in fuel cap tight and it gave a check engine light on.. it is always suggestable to crank in the fuel cap really tight...

 

 

BETTER buy a ODI ii instrument to read your error codes.

 

[kakatiya]

14. Don't be duped by double labor.

“If a mechanic offers to change your timing belt and water pump, question how long the job will take. Some will charge you double labor even though the second task is essentially done once the belt is removed.”

 

 

[kakatiya]

15. Always ask for your old parts back.

"This way you’ll know they’ve been changed, and you or a friend can tell if they’re worn.”