Choosing the Right Repair Shop

No matter what you drive - sports car, family sedan, pick-up, or mini-van, when you need repairs or service, you want the job done right. The following advice should take much of the guesswork out of finding a good repair establishment. Don't just drop your vehicle off at the nearest establishment and hope for the best. That's not choosing a shop, that's gambling.

Preliminaries

Read your owner's manual to become familiar with your vehicle and follow the manufacturer's suggested service schedule.
Start shopping for a repair facility before you need one; you can make better decisions when you are not rushed or in a panic.
Ask friends and associates for their recommendations. Even in this high-tech era, old-fashioned word-of-mouth reputation is still valuable.
If possible, arrange for alternate transportation in advance so you will not feel forced to choose a shop on the basis of location.
Once you choose a repair shop, start off with a minor job; if you are pleased, trust them with more complicated repairs later.

"Gene and Jan, (this card) is a small token of my appreciation for all you fine work and for providing great customer service to all your clients. "
--Jen

At the Shop

Look for a neat, well-organized facility, with vehicles in the parking lot equal in value to your own and modern equipment in the service bays.
Professionally run establishments will have a courteous, helpful staff. The service writer should be willing to answer all of your questions.
Feel free to ask for the names of a few customers. Call them.
All policies (labor rates, guarantees, methods of payment, etc.) should be posted and/or explained to your satisfaction.
Ask if the shop handles your vehicle make and model. Some facilities specialize, like us in Honda and Acura.
Ask if the shop usually does your type of repair, especially if you need major work.
Look for signs of professionalism in the customer service area: civic and community service awards, membership in the Better Business Bureau, and customer service awards.
Look for evidence of qualified technicians, such as trade school diplomas, certificates of advanced course work, and ASE certifications - a national standard of technician competence.

The strength of any repair shop is the competence and training of technicians, and the business ethics of the owner.

"Gene, your help in resolving a very difficult situation with my transmission goes well beyond the call of duty...you save me several thousand dollars and got me back on the road quickly. Thanks, so much!"
--Bill J.

Follow Up

Keep good records; keep all paperwork.
Reward good service with repeat business. It is mutually beneficial to you and the shop owner to establish a relationship.
If the service was not all you expected, don't rush to another shop. Discuss the problem with the service manager or owner. Give the business a chance to resolve the problem. Reputable shops value customer feedback and will make a sincere effort to keep your business.

Improving Mileage

With today’s high gas prices, it’s worth taking a few minutes out of your day to make minor modifications that will improve your gas mileage.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, nearly four million gallons of gasoline could be saved nationwide each day for every one pound per square inch (psi) of tire under-inflation, compared to the mileage if ALL vehicle tires were kept inflated to the manufacturer's recommended pressure.
The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that for 145 million passenger vehicles idling five minutes per day, approximately four million gallons of gasoline are consumed without going anywhere.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, a vehicle loses about one percent in fuel economy for every one mile per hour above 55 m.p.h. that it is driven. A passenger car that averages 30 miles per gallon at 55 m.p.h. could typically get 28.5 m.p.g. at 60 m.p.h., 27 m.p.g. at 65 m.p.h. and 25.5 m.p.g. at 70 m.p.h. Remember, however, that for different speeds, the changes in fuel economy will vary by vehicle model.
Each 100 pounds of needless weight will cost up to one-half mile per gallon, on the average.