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How to
Choose an Auto Mechanic
A car, truck
or van is the second costliest purchase you will
ever make -- out ranked only by your home. And it's
also likely that you're discouraged by the thought
of maintaining your vehicle. Today's vehicles seem
too complex for your own backyard tinkering, and
finding a good repair facility with competent
mechanics seems more difficult than it should
be.
Fortunately
there's a group that can help take much of the
guesswork out of finding a competent mechanic. The
independent, nonprofit National Institute for
Automotive Service Excellence, better known as ASE,
is dedicated to improving automotive service and
repair by testing and certifying the competence of
individual mechanics, or "technicians," to use
today's terminology.
ASE is the
only automotive certification group that is both
national in scope and industry-wide. It is
self-supporting, with a forty-member, volunteer
board of directors drawn from all segments of the
automotive service industry, as well as
representatives from education, government and
consumer groups.
Every
technician at Jake's is ASE
certified.
How to
Choose an Auto Repair Shop
Here are some
tips from the non-profit National Institute for
Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) on finding a
good repair establishment:
- Start
shopping for a repair facility before you need
one.
- Ask
friends and associates for recommendations;
consult local consumer
organizations.
- Arrange
for alternate transportation in advance so you
will not feel forced to choose a shop based
solely on location.
- Look for
a neat, well organized facility, with some
vehicles in the parking lot equal in value to
your own and modern equipment in the service
bays.
- Look for
a courteous staff, with a service writer willing
to answer all of your questions.
- Look for
policies regarding labor rates, diagnostic fees,
guarantees, acceptable methods of payment,
etc.
- Ask if
the repair facility specializes or if it usually
handles your type of repair work.
- Look for
signs of professionalism in the customer service
area such as civic, community, or customer
service awards.
- Look for
evidence of qualified technicians: trade school
diplomas, certificates of advanced course work,
and certification by ASE.
Stop
by Jake's for all your auto maintenance and repair
needs.
Auto
Repair Improves With Good
Communication
Ask a car
owner why that grinding noise in her brakes has
gone unchecked and she'll probably say it's too big
of a hassle or she's short on cash. However, the
real reason may be a problem that's capturing the
attention of the media, the public, and even law
enforcement officials nationwide: SHE'S AFRAID
SHE'S GOING TO GET RIPPED OFF.
If repair
fraud is one of your fears, you're not alone. The
National Better Business Bureau reports that auto
repair and service is a leading consumer complaint.
But this industry is not burying its head in the
sand. Instead, it's turning the fraud fiasco into
an opportunity, and motorists are the
beneficiaries.
At
Jake's we're going the extra mile to build this
trust,
especially when communicating with our
customers.
The key words
are trust and communication. Because it takes
communication to build trust, car owners and their
technicians must not only communicate, but
communicate effectively. How is that done? Here are
some suggestions:
1. Take a
list with you that "communicates" every aspect of
your car's problem. It's not enough to say you're
having brake trouble. Does the car shimmy when it
comes to a stop? What about when you're slowing
down but don't come to a full stop: What does the
noise sound like? These are the things customers
often forget to mention, yet they are priceless
tools for the technician, saving him valuable
diagnostic time.
2. The second
"communication" suggestion is the most important.
At Jake's we give you a written estimate
that includes a statement saying no additional
work will be done without your authorization.
This is also the time to inquire about the
warranty offered on the work and parts. If
you're new to Jake's, and want to double-check our
diagnosis, get a second opinion. If the estimate
sounds too pricey, call other shops and see what
they'd charge for that job.
At
Jake's we guarentee that you will ALWAYS have the
best price.
3. Read
your bill. If you have any questions, ASK. Make
sure the repair warranty you discussed earlier is
included.
4. When you
pick up your car, drive it around the block
BEFORE you pay the bill. If the problem still
persists, it's easier to "communicate" your concern
at this point.
5. There is
the advantage that plastic has over real, live,
paper money, and that is recourse. If you have a
problem with a service facility, simply notify your
credit card company that you are dissatisfied.
Until the dispute is settled, you won't owe the
repair shop a dime.
The extent to
which we can satisfy you is somewhat dependent upon
the information you provide us. Communicating what
you expect of us is the best way to enjoy a long
and happy relationship.
Springtime
Maintenance
Whether you
have traveled great distances over the winter or
stayed home by the fire, it's important to make
sure you perform a thorough inspection of your
vehicle before heading out on a family
vacation.
Many times
people neglect their vehicles during the winter,
due to the cold or the belief that the car is fine
because it wasn't used that much. However, sludge
can build-up in the engine and cause expensive
problems down the road. The quickest, and easiest,
way to avoid this problem is installing fresh oil
and a quality oil filter.
Call
or email Jake's to schedule your Spring Maintenance
Check-up.
How To
Fight High Gas Prices
One way to
deal with increased gas prices is to drive less.
Another is to improve your driving habits; go easy
on the gas pedal. But old habits are hard to
break.
Another
conservation measure is to be sure your car is
using no more fuel than it was designed to use by
keeping track of your gas mileage.
You may not
notice a drop in fuel economy month by month but it
could add up to well over $400 a year. This
figure on the typical car using 500 gallons of gas
a year at $3.10 per gallon, it works out like
this:
1. If the
engine needs a tune-up it could be wasting 15% (or
more) of its fuel, due to misfiring spark plugs,
inefficient fuel system and malfunctioning emission
controls. The cost, about $15.00 per
month.
2. If tires
are 8 pounds underinflated, not an uncommon
condition, rolling resistance of the tires
increases by 5%. The monthly cost in wasted gas,
$6.90.
3. If wheels
are just 1/4" out of alignment, another factor that
affects rolling resistance, chalk up another 2% or
about $3.00 a month. Note: this condition, as well
as underinflation, accelerates tire wear, thereby
adding to the cost of neglect.
4. A cooling
system thermostat stuck in the open position,
causing the engine to run too cool, can reduce
engine efficiency by another 7%. The monthly cost,
$9.60.
That adds up
to a monthly loss of $3.50. They point out that,
while this hypothesis is intended to emphasize
preventive maintenance in terms of energy
conservation, it also bears on safety and reduced
exhaust emissions.
Going back to
hard-to-break habits, for every five miles per
hour you press beyond 55 mph, you'll lose about one
mile per gallon. A heavy foot when the light
turns green also guzzles gas.
Top 12 Car
Problems
Remember how
annoying that black mark was on the living room
wall? Or the squealing door hinge? Eventually it
goes unnoticed. Too often we adjust to car problems
that need attention, too.
4 out of 5
cars need maintenance, such as the items listed
below. Is yours one of them?
1. Worn
brake parts: Postponing needed brake service,
in addition to being a safety hazard, can escalate
the cost of a braking system overhaul.
2. Tired
windshield wiper blades: Don't wait for a rainy
day to replace worn blades.
3. Burned
Out Lights: Can you see and be seen? Check all
your lights regularly to be sure.
4. Clogged
Filters: Scheduled replacement of air, oil,
gas, fuel, transmission and other filters extend
car life and improve performance.
5. Worn
spark plugs: Worn plugs waste gas and increase
exhaust emissions. They also cause the engine to
run poorly.
6.
Corroded battery cables: Corroded cables and
a weak battery cause starting trouble. Have battery
and charging system checked if the engine turns
over slowly.
7. Glazed
belts, Rotten Hoses: A slipping belt can affect
engine cooling, alternator, power steering, and air
conditioner. Replace worn belts before they let you
down brittle or rotten cooling system hoses can
lead to overheating. Others, such as vacuum and
power steering hoses, hinder performance and
safety.
8.
Neglected Cooling System: Periodic servicing
of the cooling system helps prevent deterioration
of radiator or heater core.
9. Leaking
Shock Absorbers: Worn shocks or struts affect
ride control and shorten tire life.
10.
Damaged CV Joint Boots: These rubber boots
protect the critical CV joints that deliver power
to your wheels. They should be inspected regularly
and replaced as needed.
11.
Leaking Muffler: Have your car put on a lift
occasionally to check the muffler and other parts
of the exhaust system.
12. Tired
Tires: Worn tires are dangerous. Proper
inflation, alignment and balance will extend tire
life.
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