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3 Articles For your Reading Pleasure: "Does Your Car Have PMS" "How to Have Fun Spending Money on Your Ride" "The Price is Right?" "New Car Owners' Maintenance Choices"
The Price is Right?
10 Reasons to Get Car Repair Estimates in Person
The pace of our lives is fast these days. We are all BUSY and want to spend our time wisely. When faced with a car or truck repair it seems easiest to pick up the phone and call to get an estimate on the repair. However, there are good reasons to take the time to get the estimate in person.
1. Effective Communication - People communicate best when they can both hear, see, and feel the conversation. Seeing the vehicle allows the technician to look at the area the problem may be and this is combined with the customer describing the problem verbally and with body language.
2. Test Drive - Estimating the potential cost of a "noise or vibration" over the phone is fruitless. The first step in most diagnostics and estimates is a test drive followed by a visual inspection.
3. Multiple Problems - While it may be easy for some customers to recognize the need for a new starter, there are often secondary problems as well, which would be recognized during an in-person inspection. The estimate will be more accurate.
4. Options - When a vehicle has multiple repair needs, such as suspension repairs coupled with brake repairs, they can often be prioritized as an immediate need - "You have no brake pad left" and "Your shocks seem weak, but it can wait til the next pay day."
5. Mis-Diagnosis - A phone estimate was done for a customer who was sure his heater core was ruined. The estimate seemed high to him, but he brought the car in for repair. When the tech inspected the car, a huge packrat nest was found. After it was removed, the problem was solved at a much lower price than the phone quote.
6. Time Efficiency - It takes more time over all to describe a repair problem over the phone, wait for the estimate, make an appointment, bring the car into the shop, discover the problem is different than the first estimate, get another estimate hours later because the cell phone was turned off, approve the second estimate, and get the repair done.
7. Lack of Information - Many people call for a phone estimate without knowing all the information, such as the engine size, or the wrong year/make/model. Vehicle systems, such as brakes, are complex and it is impossible to tell over the phone which specific brake part or parts will be needed.
8. Save Money - A phone estimate is a guess at best and the price of the job will often be lower than quoted on the phone.
9. Get It Done Today! - When you take the time to get your repair estimate in person the job can often be done right away!
10. Crystal Ball - Getting a car repair estimate over the phone is almost as accurate as using the "psychic hotline." Even the best repair shop in the world cannot accurately diagnose and estimate problems over the phone.
After getting an in-person estimate that seems pricey, many people will call other shops for comparison estimates. Among independent repair shops the cost is usually within a few dollars. A repair done at a dealership may or may not be higher. Since cars and trucks are such important items in our BUSY lives, it makes more sense to find a shop and technician you like and trust and use it for your repair needs. The technician will get to know your vehicle and the maintenance services can be tracked, helping you to keep your car running efficently.
New Car Owners - Maintenance Choices
Know your rights when it comes to vehicle repair and maintenance. You are NOT required to take your vehicle to the dealer in order to maintain your warranty. You may use your favorite repair shop and technicians for your vehicle maintenance.
Legally, automakers cannot specify which parts are used to complete your vehicle's service. You may use any brand-name quality parts that your trusted mechanic recommends.
To keep your warranty in place, make sure your vehicle is serviced at the intervals specified in your owner's manual or warranty booklet. It will give you all of the information you need regarding specific parts and service intervals. Make sure to read your owner's manual thoroughly and note any exceptions or severe service notations.
Keep clear records of your vehicle's maintenance. Be sure to have the date, parts installed, vehicle identification number and mileage recorded on the invoice. Keep these receipts in a safe place. If you have a service log in your owner's manual or warranty booklet, use it. Warranties are there to protect the consumer, but you must follow the requirements.
The choice of where to have your car serviced and maintained is yours. However, you will probably have to take the car back to the dealer for any specific repairs covered under warranty. Thoroughly check your warranty to be certain which repairs are covered.
You may wonder about the quality of aftermarket parts compared to original equipment parts. Some are manufactured by the same supplier and may even be warranted longer than original equipment parts. Aftermarket parts supplied by many suppliers meet or exceed manufacturers' specifications
No matter the brand of vehicle you drive - foreign or domestic Auto Works can help protect you and your vehicle's warranty. Our skilled technicians can perform all of your vehicle's maintenance and repairs without voiding your warranty.
Does Your Car Have PMS?
Does your car sputter, squeal, groan, tap, or knock when it starts, goes, or stops? Could its mood swings be PMS?
NO! But it probably needs PMS!
Preventative Maintenance Service is the loving care you give your car to help the mood swings of surprise repairs. PMS goes beyond the occasional oil change and includes inspections, replacement of wearing parts, and fluid flushes.
Following a schedule of PMS, at 3000 - 5000 mile intervals, takes care of your car at less cost than waiting for a breakdown.
Your cars owner manual includes recommended PMS intervals. Your automotive technician can also track service intervals with computer software, even sending you reminders and pre-booking your next PMS appointment.
Welcome PMS into the life of your car and avoid those pesky repair mood swings!
Call Auto Works/Freedom Cycle Works at 452-8207 for your PMS appointment!
How to Have Fun Spending Money on Your Ride
When you think of vehicle expenses the work "fun" seldom comes to mind. It's thought of like going to the dentist.
However, consider that a trip to Auto Works or Freedom Cycle Works could be like going to a beauty salon! Turning your car, truck, or motorcycle into a head turning machine can make driving an exciting experience.
Read about some of the "beauty" services your can get for your vehicle:
Lift Kits
You have seen them everywhere. Trucks towering over the traffic, showing off fancy, shiny suspension, tires, and wheels present a powerful appearance. Lift kits raise the truck's ground clearance anywhere from 4 12 inches (some even higher). Lift kits that are less than 12 inches high also stabilize the truck's suspension. Lift kits can be installed in two wheel drive or four wheel drive trucks and SUVs.
Leveling Kits
Some people have trucks that are not level front to back. Leveling kits raise the front end to match the rear end, providing forward ground clearance Leveling stabilizes the suspension. The change in the height of the front is usually 2-3 inches.
Custom Exhaust
Almost any vehicle whether car, truck, or motorcycle can be outfitted with performance exhaust consisting of mufflers, pipes and chrome tips for good looks and a more powerful sound. Custom exhaust can be ordered to fit a particular ride or it can be fabricated at a shop that specializes in exhaust (gee, like Auto Works/Freedom Cycle Works).
Chrome
Shiny chrome parts can dress up motorcycles, and many under-the-hood parts of cars and trucks. The wide variety of accessories available is mind boggling and fun to choose from!
Custom Color
Everybody knows that new paint is the standard for beautifying a car, truck, or motorcycle. Custom paint can include special effects and graphics. But there are some parts that you would like to change the color but it would not be practical; like wheels.Enter the world of:
Powder Coating
Powder Coating provides a hard shell finish that resists deterioration and enhances the metal parts of a vehicle. Imagine your attractive car with a contrasting wheel color. If you had your wheels painted, they would chip in a very short time. Powder coating is chip resistant. Powder coating offers a wide of variety of colors and finishes, from shiny to matte.
Powder coating works on metal because it is electrically adhered to the metal part being coated. After sandblasting the parts clean, they are warmed in an oven. Then the dry colored powder is sprayed on and the parts are returned to the oven to bake the coating,
Customers who bring their vehicles to the shop for "beauty" have a great time with their vehicles and prove that it is possible to have fun with automotive services.
For more information please call Auto Works at 452-8207
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Copyright © 2006 Germain's Auto, Inc. . All Rights Reserved.
