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| Pat's Frequently Asked Questions | ||
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Many people think in order to keep their
manufactures warranty they need to take their
vehicle back to the dealer for service and
repairs. Is this True ?
Just plug in the diagnostic machine, get the
code and it will tell the technician exactly
what's wrong, and how to fix it. Right ?
We understand that in comparing a shop one of the main concerns is cost. So a natural question that you have every right to ask is how much will this repair cost. We however don’t believe that this should be the primary focus of your initial evaluation process. You can waste your time calling 10 different shops and get 10 different price quotes and chances are every one of them will be wrong. Unless the shop has had a chance to examine or test drive the car in person, there is no way to accurately diagnose your problem and give you an accurate price quote. Some repairs can be accurately evaluated and estimated with a simple free or inexpensive inspection by a qualified professional. Diagnosis is more difficult to estimate because many times there is no way to determine the final price before the complete diagnosis is made. Even in these cases however there should be a maximum price agreed to so that you are protected and informed every step of the way. Beware of any shop that is willing to give you a quote over the phone without seeing the car. They may tell you a real low price just to get you to set up an appointment. Look for shops that want to build a relationship and look out for your best interests. C'mon Pat aren't all repair shops are the same? In fact there can be a huge difference between repair shops. The new car technology requires constant training to keep up with all the changes. It also requires shops to have the latest diagnostic equipment available. The repair shop with the best trained and certified technicians and up to date equipment will usually do the best and most cost effective repair for you. Most repair places seem to come up with a “laundry list” of problems with my car, just to get me to spend more money ? The fact is any repair shop that doesn't look for potential problems is actually doing you a great disservice. Quality repair shops do an inspection on every car that comes into their shop to uncover those inexpensive repairs that may be needed now, before they turn into major expenses later. Beware of any repair shop that pressures you or makes you feel uncomfortable. Inspecting your vehicle and educating you as to the best way to keep your car trouble free and fun to drive is a valuable service. Something as simple as discovering and then changing a worn belt may save you the danger and embarrassment of breaking down on a busy highway and an expensive towing charge. Your vehicle manufacture specifies maintenance schedules just to get you back into their shop to make more money off you. Although manufactures are making cars that last longer and require less overall maintenance, they do require some preventative maintenance. If maintained properly, you can expect your new car to go over 100,000 miles without major service. For instance, most engines have timing belts that must be replaced before they wear out, break, and cause even more expensive damage |
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