Tag: Car Repair
How To Get Along With Your Car Mechanic
by admin on Apr.13, 2009, under Car Maintenance, Car Tips
How To Get Along With Your Car Mechanic
From the conversations I’ve had with drivers over the last several years, most people dread taking their cars to a mechanic. I haven’t noticed a marked difference between their anxiety for visiting their dealership’s auto technicians or taking their vehicle to the independent repair garage down the street. They hate going to both. The overriding thought seems to be that they’ll be gouged by padded repair bills and recommended services they don’t need.
I’ve mentioned before that most mechanics are honest, friendly, and professional. If they tell you that your timing belt has 7,000 miles of life in it before it breaks, trust them. The fact is, once you find an auto technician who consistently delivers high-quality work at a competitive price, trusting him can save you an enormous amount of time and money.
Below, I’ll provide a few tips for building a professional relationship with your mechanic while remaining vigilant about the work being done on your car.
Understand Your Auto Technician’s Perspective
It’s important to realize that repairing vehicles and replacing parts isn’t always a perfect science. Some types of work will be easy for your mechanic to predict while others will be based upon estimates. The prices of various car parts and materials are usually set in stone, but the time it takes to do a job correctly may vary wildly.
For example, a brake job should require less than one hour and the cost of the parts should already be known. Rarely do circumstances cause either factor to vary much. On the other hand, suppose your auto technician is rebuilding your vehicle’s transmission. While he may know the cost of a rebuilt transmission, the job of installing it may take several hours. The last thing he wants to do is estimate 3 hours and spend 6 hours doing the job.
There will also be times when your auto technician will discover that doing the main job properly requires doing an ancillary job first. It’s not always possible to tell until he can begin exploring under the hood. If you see an unexplained charge on your repair bill, ask for clarification. But, realize that most repair garages are honest about the work they do and want your business over the long term.
Making The Right Connection
Most people think of their car mechanics in the same manner they think of a cashier at a clothing store – find an item, give the cashier money, and leave. In truth, your auto technician provides enormous value. Whether performing routine oil changes or complicated repair jobs, try to make a connection with him. If he’s a high-quality mechanic, you’ll probably be visiting him repeatedly. Get to know him a bit. When the time comes to fix a blown head gasket or rebuild your car’s engine, you can be confident he’ll go the extra mile to take care of you.
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Knowing The Limitations Of Your Car's Brakes
by admin on Feb.10, 2009, under Car Maintenance, Car Tips
Knowing The Limitations Of Your Car’s Brakes
Most of us take our car’s braking systems for granted. No matter how fast we’re driving, we’re confident that we’ll be able to slow our vehicles. But, there are a number of factors which can influence our ability to come to a complete stop. Without having a rudimentary grasp of these factors, our expectations are little more than a gamble. In truth, your vehicle’s brakes play a limited, though critical, role.
Today, we’ll explore the process of braking in the context of factors that contribute toward stopping your car. I’ll explain the impact of reaction time, weather, road conditions, as well as the value of anti-lock brakes.
The Time It Takes To React
Imagine that you’re driving at 65 mph. At that speed, you’re traveling at approximately 95 feet per second. Suddenly, you realize the need to stop your vehicle. There is an average length of time that passes between a recognition to stop until a driver actively engages in a stopping action. It is known as “perception and reaction time.”
On average, it takes 3/4 of a second to perceive the need to stop. Similarly, it takes 3/4 of a second for a driver to react by transferring his foot from the gas pedal to the braking pedal. During the combined time (1.5 seconds) required to perceive the need to stop and react, a car will have traveled over 142 feet (assuming it is moving at 65 mph). Keep in mind that another 150 feet (approximately) is needed to come to a complete stop.
No matter how good your vehicle’s braking system, it is limited by your ability to recognize the need to stop and react.
The Influence Of Weather
Bad weather can compound the problem. If the street is damp and slippery, the time and space required to stop grows. If there is snow on the ground, the requirements expand even further. That’s why experts suggest driving more slowly while allowing more space.
The Value Of Anti-Lock Brakes
In circumstances that require immediate stopping, drivers usually hit their brake pedal, slamming it into the floorboard. Without an anti-lock braking system (ABS), the brakes will often lock up, causing the wheels to skid along the surface of the road. When this happens, the time and space that you need to bring your vehicle to full stop increases significantly. ABS prevents this from happening, providing your tires with greater traction and giving you more control over steering.
Being Aware Of The Limits
The key point to realize is that your car’s brakes are limited in how they contribute to slowing your vehicle. Most drivers don’t take the time to understand the impact of perception and reaction time. Nor do they completely appreciate how weather can affect their ability to stop, even with a perfectly maintained braking system. I recommend that you invest in ABS and try to maintain a “bubble” around your car while driving. If there’s a need to stop quickly, you’ll have a much better chance of doing so successfully.
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How To Prepare Your Car For The Summer
by admin on Dec.29, 2008, under Car Tips
How To Prepare Your Car For The Summer
Sadly, most drivers don’t think about the steps they can take to prepare their vehicle for the hot summer months. The problem is that your car endures increased stress during that time of year. The air conditioner is used more often; the treads on your tires wear down more quickly; the brakes may be less responsive. What’s more, the cooling system has to work harder in order to compensate for the extra heat generated by the engine. Otherwise, it can overheat. Below, I’ll provide an overview of the parts that need your attention before the hot season arrives.
Check The A/C
Your car’s air conditioner is comprised of several parts, including a compressor, evaporator, a condenser, the refrigerant (not actually a part, obviously), and some belts. If something goes wrong with any of those components, the fan might blow air, but it won’t be cold. You may not be an expert with A/C units, but you can still lift the hood and check for bad belts and excess dirt around the condenser. Plus, if you’re having a mechanic change the oil, it won’t hurt to ask him to check the refrigerant level.
Watch The Tires And Brakes
When the weather heats up, the treads on your tires can wear quickly. If they’re already worn, either replace the tires or have them rotated. Tires with badly-worn treads are less fuel-efficient and less responsive. But be wary; if you’re going to buy replacements, the mechanic might suggest investing in summer tires. They’re not necessary. They do provide better handling and braking, but they’ll wear out quickly (under 10,000 miles) and that makes them expensive.
Check your car’s brake system, too (or have your mechanic do it). The brakes are less effective under intense heat, which is a greater risk during the hot months. And if your brake pads are worn, that compounds the problem. Before summer arrives, ask your mechanic to check the pads to make sure they can do their job.
Check The Cooling System
In a previous column, I explained how your vehicle’s cooling system helps keep the temperature around the engine under control. When it’s hot outside, that temperature can spike, causing your engine to overheat. Take a look at the radiator to make sure there aren’t any leaks. Check to make certain the hoses fit well; if they’re loose, tighten them. Also, look at the coolant level in the reservoir. If it’s low, replenish it.
Keep in mind that a lot of factors can contribute to your engine overheating. It can happen even if you check the radiator, hoses, and coolant level. But, at least you’re taking steps to limit the chances of it happening.
Inspecting your car’s air conditioner, tires, brakes, and cooling system helps to ensure that driving during the summer months is enjoyable and safe. The key is being proactive about the maintenance. Plan to spend some time in April checking the parts that I’ve described above to make sure your vehicle is prepared for the summer.