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Auto Repair Basics: What You Should Know

Auto Repair Basics: What You Should Know

Having car problems can be scary. After all, an unexpected automobile malfunction can throw a major wrench in your ability to keep up with all of your responsibilities, especially if you don’t have a transportation back-up plan. When something goes wrong with your car, you can either take it to an auto repair shop, or attempt to fix the problem yourself.

While it’s likely that you won’t have the tools, equipment, knowledge, skill set, or patience to handle major car repairs without the help of a professional, there are a number of simple auto repairs that you should be able to tackle on your own. You just need to start with a basic understanding of how automobiles work, how they are put together, and what is most likely to go wrong, at what times. Here is what you should know, as far as auto repair basics are concerned:
Regular maintenance.

You can prevent unnecessary automobile malfunctions just by taking proper care of your car. Check your owner’s manual to find out when you need to get oil changes, tune ups, timing belt replacements, and more. Be loyal to the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule, and your car will be loyal to you.

Know the systems of your automobile.

Just as your body has systems that must work together for your overall functioning, your car has systems that work together in much the same way. While it is not necessary that you learn every part of every system (although that’s not a bad idea), you need to at least familiarize yourself with the systems so that you can identify from where your auto problem is originating. The systems of an automobile are: fuel system, ignition system, cooling system, intake system, drive train, engine, braking system, and electrical system, among others. To learn more about your car’s specifics, purchase (or rent) a Chilton or Hayne’s book for your make and model.

OBD diagnostics.

Your vehicle’s on board diagnostics (OBD) feature is basically a computerized system, running throughout your car, that identifies where problems are. Any time you are experiencing auto troubles, or a mysterious warning light comes up on your dashboard, you can take your car in to a mechanic, have your car “plugged in” to a computer that communicates with its OBD, and get a reliable, accurate diagnosis of the problem, right from the horse’s mouth.

If you decide that your auto repairs are too much for you to handle, you will need to find the right auto repair shop for you. If you want quality service from a name you can trust, then you should put your auto repairs into the hands of experienced professionals like us, Auto Air & Electric. We can be reached by phone, at 602-548-0901, or email: Mike@AutoAirAndElectric.com

Auto Air & Electricl

2240 W. Bell Rd
Phoenix,
AZ
85023

(602) 548-0901

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How to Spot a Dishonest Auto Repair Shop

How to Spot a Dishonest Auto Repair Shop

Most people have anxiety over entrusting their auto repairs to an auto repair shop, and for good reason. Horror stories abound about auto repair fraud and hundreds of dollars of unnecessary money spent by people who could not afford it. How does this happen so often? It’s simple: most people don’t know enough about cars to know when they are being ripped off. If you fall into this group, then you don’t have to take a mechanics course to protect yourself from fraudulent charges. Here are some tips for how to spot a dishonest auto repair shop:
Do your research. Knowledge is your best form of defense. There are some common fixes that you can easily identify yourself; for example, fault brakes and an oil leak are pretty simple problems that any layman can diagnose. Even more complex problems relay certain symptoms that you can research. Whatever the case may be, sit down at your computer and research the specifics of your auto problem, including possible causes, fixes, parts, and labor costs. If you know someone who is handy with cars, ask about your particular circumstances to get a better idea of what kind of repair you may need. Do all of this before you head to the mechanic shop, so that you can really talk shop with the repairman (and spot dishonesty).
Replaced parts policy. Any reputable shop should be more than willing to give you the parts from your car that were replaced. If an auto mechanic does not volunteer you the allegedly faulty part for inspection (so that you can see just how damaged it is), then it’s possible that mechanic is being dishonest.
Add-ons. If you take your car in for a simple repair and the shop calls you to say they discovered a number of other things you “must” have repaired while your car is in the shop, then you need to be on guard for dishonesty. Additional repairs that were not initially diagnosed are called add-ons, and they may not be necessary. Before you sign on to pay for add-ons, do your research to find out of the problem is really as immediate as the mechanic would have you believe.
Finding the right auto repair shop for you can be a little intimidating. If you want quality service from a name you can trust, then you should put this important job into the hands of experienced professionals like us, Auto Air & Electric. We can be reached by phone, at 602-548-0901, or email: Mike@AutoAirAndElectric.com.

Auto Air & Electricl

2240 W. Bell Rd
Phoenix,
AZ
85023

(602) 548-0901

Five Things You Can Do To Prevent High Cost Auto Repair

Five Things You Can Do To Prevent High Cost Auto Repair

Having car troubles is extremely stressful, especially considering that you will have to entrust your repairs to repair shops that know a lot more than you do about cars (and can therefore take advantage your lack of knowledge, for their financial gain). Even if your car is not yet needing a mechanic’s TLC, there are things you can do to prevent big repair shop bills down the line. Whatever the case may be, it will be helpful for you to keep in mind these five things you can to do prevent high cost auto repair:

Get regular maintenance. Your car comes with an owner’s manual. Refer to it regularly and heed its advice when it comes to maintenance like oil changes, tune ups, and timing belt replacements.

Address the problem immediately. This is where most people fall short. They sense a minor issue, but don’t place the auto repair at a high priority (after all, money is tight). The issue then snowballs into a much larger problem, multiplying the cost of the repair needed. For example, it may cost you only fifty dollars to replace your brake pads, but if you go too long without replacing them when they need it, you may end up having to spend hundreds of dollars to replace warped rotors and drums.

Drive the “right” car. Some vehicles simply cost more to repair than others. Why? Because they are more rare, and/or are more complicated to fix. It may even be that their parts are harder to find. If low-cost auto maintenance is important to you, stay away from exotic foreign cars and rare makes/models that are years out of production.

Do your research. When it comes to auto repairs, it definitely pays to do your research before you take your car in to be worked on. Take inventory of the symptoms you notice in your car, and then search the Internet to find possible culprits. Also, if you know someone who knows a thing or two about auto repair, get as much information as you can about what the problem may be. That way, when you do take your car to the shop, you are less likely to fall prey to unnecessary up-selling and expensive false diagnostics.

Shop around. Not all auto repair shops are created equal. Once you have a good idea of what type of repairs your vehicle needs, you should call around to find out how much your local auto shops will charge for the same repairs. Chances are you can save a great deal of money just by doing this footwork.

Finding the right auto repair shop for you can be a little intimidating. If you want quality service from a name you can trust, then you should put this important job into the hands of experienced professionals like us, Auto Air & Electric. We can be reached by phone, at 602-548-0901, or email: Mike@autoairandelectric.com.

Auto Air & Electricl

2240 W. Bell Rd
Phoenix,
AZ
85023

(602) 548-0901