FAQ
Q: My car's check engine warning light is open. Some shops claim that this is for free while others say that this service has a price. Do I need to pay in order to find out what the problem is and how to solve it? Why?
A: The answer to your question would be: yes, you will need to pay for it.Basically, this problem lies within the system of the vehicle and requires highly skilled personnel and advanced equipment in order to get to the bottom of it. The software that is to be employed in this type of service, needs to be updated regularly, while technicians need special training in order to interpret the information obtained from the software's diagnosis. In order to find out the root of the problem, these pros need to get extra information, which is available for a price from various sources such as the manufacturers themselves, online services and many others. This is because the only info obtainable from the vehicle control unit is an error code, which points to a certain part of the automobile. With these resources, the technician shall be able to determine which parts of the vehicle is causing the malfunction. This long process will help the servicemen find out what type of repair is required of the car.
More often than not, shops which have these pay a great deal of expenses every year. However, this just means that these garages are knowledgeable and skilled regarding this matter. If a shop does not charge for this service, it goes to show that they have not invested in training their personnel and purchasing good equipment. Placing your trust on these types of mechanics may very well damage your vehicle further.
Q: I need new brakes for my car. I called around and got quotations from different garages. These shops all had their own price. Why is this? Is it wise for me to go with the shop with the lowest price?
A: For certain things, calling a mechanic for a quotation on their services may be wise. However, in this case, it is better for you to bring your car to the shop. By talking to them on the phone, they will have no idea of what the problem is. They will usually give you an answer based on how they see the problem and how you explained it to them - hence the varying prices. B ringing your car for them to look at will give them the chance to determine what the problem is and give you the correct price range.
To give you a background, brake inspection goes like this:
1. The mechanics should have a road test to test out the brake operation.
2. The mechanics should inspect the thickness of the brake rotor. For those who do not know,there is a specific measurement for this. When the brake rotor has gone beyond the measurement, you will not be able to use your vehicle for it can place your life at great risk.
3.Mechanics should also inspect the brake pads. These have two functions: to provide friction and dispel heat. This too also has a certain measurement to be followed. If the pads are too thin,these may not work properly
4. Apart from the rotor and the pads, the technician should look at the brake calipers for problems.If these do not function as they were designed, your brakes might malfunction and lose the ability to stop your vehicle.
With regards to the price: a mechanic should always clean, inspect and lubricate the brakes and its parts. This person should also be ready to perform any other procedure if necessary. At the same time, technicians should be ready to replace any components which may be hindering the brakes to function properly. It is their job to make sure that your brakes are in top shape, as it was when it was originally designed. At the same time, it is these servicemen's job to ensure the quality of parts for your brakes (if ever they need replacing).
Going for inexpensive services may not entitle you to a full service. In fact, these garages might use inferior components (made of low-quality materials) on your brakes. This may further damage your vehicle and may even place you at great risk for accidents. Hence, if you are looking for quality break repair,you should not look at the cost. Nonetheless, most experienced an highly talented mechanics often charge high but will surely get do an efficient job.If you wish to get an exact cost, take your car to the shop and ask them personally regarding the problem.
Q: The air conditioner of my vehicle is not functioning as it did in the past.It does not keep my car as cool as it did when I bought it. Will the problem be solved if I place more refrigerant into it?
A: You should have your air conditioner looked at before jumping to conclusions. This is because your air conditioner may have other problems besides this.
It may be that there is a problem among the temperature controls. This may not have anything to do with the refrigerant level. You should have it looked at for there might be leak within the air conditioning system. Although this may seem harmless, not attending to this may cause the refrigerant to mix with air moisture and cause hydrochloric which may cause the components of your system to deteriorate.
Scouting mechanics must should be one of your main concerns. You should have a professional look at it. Always make sure that these servicemen are accredited and have the necessary training. At the same time, make sure that these shops have the correct equipment before inspecting your car. To give you a headstart,a garage should have a refigerant idenfier in order to look into your air conditioning system. At the same time, they should have equipment which can check leaks and other kinds of damage within the air conditioner of a vehicle.
Q: I'm looking for a new car. When I went to this one place, I was told that if I have issues regarding the maintenance and the repairs, I should take the vehicle back to them and not employ other services. They told me that if I do not do this, my manufacturer's warranty will become void. Why is this true?
their services regarding maintenance and repairs. If you do not know, this is a law called the Magnuson-Moss Act of 1975, Title 15, Chapter 50, Section 2301-2312.If you wish,you may look it up through the web and find easy to understand versions.
If you look at your car owner manuals, you will see that the for the service, repairs and maintenance of your vehicle (at any component), you can take it to independent servicemen and garages, without rendering null and void the warranty given to you by the manufacturer. Read more about the law to understand more about its provisions,so in the future, you will not face this problem again.
Q: A mechanic told me that I should have my shock absorbers replaced. Although my car drives about 60,000 miles and is still functioning properly,I'm considering this.But really, do I need new ones? Why is this?
A: It's possible that your shock absorbers need replacing. Most of the time, when a vehicle already has about 50,000-60,000 miles on it,the shock absorbers may have started to deteriorate.Once you have your shocks inspected and, possibly, replaced, you will see the improvement.
As you can see, your shock absorbers are very important.If these have been damage, it will affect your vehicle's overall performance. If your shocks have started to wear out, you might experience these:
1. Your vehicle may not move properly. The controls may be affected and your car may move from side to side.
2. Stopping distance may increase, causing control and acceleration to be affected.
3. The wearing out of tires, which may cause the shortening of its lifespan. This may cause that irritating screeching noise you hear at times on the road.
4. Breaks may also be affected when stopping distance increases.
… and many others.
Bottom line is, the deterioration of shocks can affect you car immensely. And the worst part about this is that, you may not notice the damage until it is too late. Hence, you should not wait for this to happen. If the mechanics suggest that your car needs new shock absorbers at your current mileage, chances are, it's true. It's better to be safe than sorry.
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