Welcome to Gaia! :: View User's Journal | Gaia Journals

 
 

View User's Journal

spotpink7claud
If you own a car, you have probably been in need of a repair at some point. Finding the right repair shop or mechanic can be a nightmare. They are notoriously dishonest and often overcharge you for their work. Luckily, the following article has some great tips with regards to finding a great auto repair shop.



When trying to get an estimate for mouse click the next page of your auto repairs, ask the technician how they calculate the cost. There are some shops that charge your a flat rate for parts and labors, but others will try and charge you a fee for each hour they spend fixing your car.



Make sure to have all your car records on hand. Put these records in the glove compartment in your car for easy access. The auto shop will definitely want to see any records. The records can help them determine what is wrong with your car.











It is a good idea to add an injector cleaner to the fuel you put into your gas tank regularly. You will get better gas mileage if the fuel injectors in your cars engine are kept clean. Adding enough cleaner to treat a full tank once a month is usually enough to improve your mileage a little.



Your car owners manual is actually a valuable guide to the workings of your car. That means that you should not trash it as soon as you leave the dealer. It can tell you everything from what that light on your dash means, to how to perform basic maintenance on your particular model.



When hiring a mechanic to repair to automobile, always seek referrals and opinions from friends, family and colleagues you trust. Doing so will ensure that you can find someone who has provided reliable, quality service in the past and provided good value to customers. In this way, you can greatly improve the likelihood that your car will be in good hands, and you will ultimately be satisfied with the work done.



Always ask about the certification and the insurance of a mechanic before letting them fix your car. If something goes wrong, the mechanic's insurance will cover damages and usually provides you with a car you can drive until yours is fixed. A mechanic who is not certified does not have an insurance either.



Keep your car's owner manual handy. Knowing vital car information can really help when something unexpected occurs. If you know your car's controls, you may even avoid a trip to a mechanic. If you do need a mechanic, you should have the make, model, and trim level available so that they can figure out things like your transmission configuration, size, etc. much quicker.



Replacing a charcoal canister is very expensive, but you can easily replace this part yourself. Take off the wheel located under your fuel tank and disconnect the vacuum lines connected to the old canister. The part should then come right off. Install the new one and connect the lines very carefully before installing the wheel again.



Know the basics. If you have to take your car into the shop, be prepared to let them know what the make and model of your car is. Also, the actual trim level is important as it will give the technician more information about the engine, transmission and anything else that may be important.



Never leave valuables in your vehicle when you bring it to be repaired. It is true that most shops have very trust worthy employees, but not all do, and you do not want to be a victim of theft. Instead, protect yourself by cleaning your vehicle and removing anything that is not attached to the car.






<img src="http://static.reportlinker.com/public/images/clp/auto/carprod.PNG" />

Learn all you can about your car and its parts. There are three conditions: salvage, new, and rebuilt and re-manufactured. &New& means that they just arrived from the manufacturer, meeting the standards set out by that company. If you are offered parts that are reconditioned or rebuilt, this means that they have been re-manufactured so that they are like new. Salvage parts are parts that are used and have never been altered.



Choose a mechanic that is happy to explain the problem to you. Some mechanics feel that they know so much that the customer could never understand, but even if you do not fully understand the problem or what is being done, they should be happy to try their best to inform you about it. It is a huge sign that they are a good mechanic all-around.



Be sure to keep the area where you are working on your car free of hazards. Keep your tools and spare parts picked up so that you and others will not trip over them. Be sure to work in an area with good ventilation so that you won't be overcome by potentially toxic fumes. Have a bag of cat litter on hand to clean up spills quickly to avoid slipping.



Never underestimate Walmart when it comes to having certain services done on your car. You can get an oil change there for quite a bit less than you will pay for one at an auto shop. They also sell Recommended Internet site that are priced much better than those at most tire shops.



When your car is being worked on, it may be a good idea to set a limit to how much work can be done before getting authorization from you. It is important not to just let the shop do whatever they please. Make sure there is a dollar amount that requires your authorization.



As was discussed at the beginning of this article, fixing a car can be a very challenging task for many people due to a variety of reasons. However, with the right knowledge and advice, anyone can fix a car much more easily. Apply this article's advice and you'll be on your way to repairing a car by yourself.





 
 
Manage Your Items
Other Stuff
Get GCash
Offers
Get Items
More Items
Where Everyone Hangs Out
Other Community Areas
Virtual Spaces
Fun Stuff
Gaia's Games
Mini-Games
Play with GCash
Play with Platinum