8 Ways to Stay Smart With Your Mechanic
1. Never sign a blank authorization.
Have you ever heard the phrase, “read before you sign?” You should have all the details about what the car mechanic will be doing to your car to repair it.
You should get a signed work order that details the job being done, warranties that apply, and how much it will all cost.
2. Keep initial diagnosis details to yourself.
It’s wise to go get a second opinion if you feel so inclined. When you get a second opinion about the repair with another mechanic, you may not want to freely share the initial diagnosis information.
As a matter of fact, they don’t need to know you went to a mechanic in the first place. Sharing these details could influence the second opinion and prevent you from getting the unbiased second opinion you need.
3. Ask about your tires.
When you get new tires, ask about when your tires were manufactured. Your mechanic should have this information. If you’re getting what appears to be a good deal on the surface, you might regret it later.
The tires might be older, and if they are older tires, this could cause issues, especially in the colder months with snow and icy conditions on the road.
4. Don’t settle for a “check engine” light that never turns off.
You know that one person, maybe a friend, family member, or coworker, that drives with their check engine light on all the time as if it’s no big deal.
Their mechanic might have even told them it was no big deal and that the car was fine. However, this isn’t a safe practice because your check engine light detects whether or not your engine is running correctly.
Go to a mechanic that will fix the issue and restore peace and assurance that your car is ready for the road.
5. Ask how long and costly a second repair will be.
When you bring your car in with one issue, there might be other problems as well. An experienced mechanic may be able to diagnose multiple issues.
In most cases, you would rather repair both issues while the car is in the show rather than having it returned with lingering problems. You wouldn’t want your vehicle returned with a faulty water pump after it had been in the shop for a timing belt replacement.
Don’t be afraid to ask how much time and money it will take to make the second repair. Some mechanics may charge more than they should for labor on a second repair.
Your trustworthy mechanic may factor in the time they saved on the second fix by already being in the process of making the initial repair.
6. Ask for your old parts back.
This is a helpful tip that ensures you have had justifiable service on your vehicle.
If you receive your old car parts back from the mechanic, that tells you they didn’t leave it in your vehicle, preventing a return to the shop and more money thrown at the issue in the near future.
Plus, you can inspect the old part for any wear and tear that could’ve caused the issue.
7. Have your mechanic test drive your car.
It’s easy with car problems to think you need one repair when in reality, it’s an entirely different issue. Get your mechanic to test drive your car before returning it to you.
With their knowledge, they can better diagnose and solve the problem instead of you wasting time and money taking it to another shop.
8. Go early in the workweek.
Timing is everything. This is true with taking your car to the shop.
Mechanics may be more likely to take their time on a Tuesday morning than they are on a Friday afternoon when they’re rushing home for the weekend. Additionally, the shop is also often busier as the weekend approaches.
Find Your Trustworthy Mechanic in Elkin and Jonesville
The best thing you can do for your car is to find a trustworthy mechanic. Whether you are in Elkin or Jonesville, Jody’s Automotive Repair and Lube Shop is here for you.
Contact Jody Rushbrook and his crew to have the best car mechanic team around perform repairs on your beloved vehicle.