Friday’s Advice: Avoid Auto Repair Shops, Avoid Possible Rip-Offs, and Save on Automotive Works with In-Store Services

Majority of the previous posts in this blogs has dealt with auto repair rip offs and ways to avoid them. You’ve read about different techniques that you can use to avoid rip off, and I’ve also posted about some practical tips and DIY processes that you can try to avoid auto repair shops, and possible rip-offs, altogether.

In this article, we’ll discuss one other means of saving on cost and avoiding possible rip-offs—by availing of in-store services. What are these services and where can you find them? Well, there are certain stores that offer free installation of parts as long as you buy the parts from them. This is a freebie offered by some stores for specific car components, while other stores offer this as part of a sale. Among the services that you can have for free are tire installation, the mounting of windshield wipers, and the installation of car battery. Some stores even do free testing of electrical parts.

If you are familiar with the systems in your car and you can do diagnosis on your own, then all you have to do is to get your needed replacement parts from auto parts stores and avail of their free installation service. There’s no more need to visit an auto repair shop to have a problem diagnosed and to have damaged parts replaced for a fee. Of course, you also avoid possible rip-offs by doing this.

All you have to do is to find a regular store that offers these services, one that you can run to every time you encounter problems in your drive and you need replacement components. You must also be on the lookout for sales and free part installation offers not only from stores but as well as from auto parts manufacturers or brands. They can do a whole lot to help you save.

DIY Saturday: How to Change a Tire

A flat tire is one of the most common things that car owners and drivers encounter every now and then. And while your first impulse during a flat tire incident may be to have your car towed to the nearest auto repair shop, you’ll be glad to know that changing a tire is very simple. As long as you have basic tools, and a spare tire of course, you’ll have no problem doing the task.

Things you’ll need:

·        Spare tire

·        Jack

·        Lug wrench

Some reminders:

·        Park your car in a flat surface before beginning the job and engage the parking brake.

·        Familiarize yourself with the area in your car where you can place the jack to support your car up. You can find this in your owner’s manual.

1. Once your car is already parked and stable in place, check whether it is equipped with a wheel lock, hubcap, or wheel cover. You will need to take these off. You can use the lug wrench for taking off the cover, or you can pry it off with something like a screwdriver.

2. Then, loosen the lug nuts using the wrench (in a star pattern as advised). There are cases when the nuts will not budge at once, in which case you can step or stomp on the wrench until the nuts are loose. Do not remove just yet, though.

3. Then, support and lift your vehicle with the jack (slowly). Safety is of utmost importance here, so be sure your car is stable when lifted.

4. When your car is already lifted, you can now remove the lug nuts (be sure you keep them where you can easily retrieve them afterwards), and remove the flat tire.

5. You can now install the new tire. Align it with the bolts, and then replace the lug nuts.

6. Let your car down and then tighten the nuts. Put back the hubcap and you’re all set, ready to drive again.

Auto Part Conditions that Require Immediate Attention

Yesterday, we elaborated on immediate car repairs and repairs that you can postpone for later, looking at specific systems such as the suspension and the brakes. Today, let’s take a look at specific parts instead. And instead of discussing the two types of condition mentioned in my last post (those that require immediate repairs and those that don’t), let’s focus only on conditions that necessitate immediate attention.

TIRES:

It is advised that these components be replaced every 6 years, but that’s not the only measure. The real criterion to check would be the tread of the tires. If they have gone too thin (the given figure here is 1.6mm or less), then that is a great indication that the tire is already nearing its lifespan.

BELTS:

Belt damage and failure is not easy to detect, mainly because it doesn’t manifest any symptom. So, the only preventative maintenance that you can do to ensure that it won’t break is to replace it before or on the given period interval. You will find this in your manufacturer’s manual. Once the belt reaches its replacement period, you should get a new one immediately. Otherwise, when it breaks, you’ll be facing a more serious trouble as this can lead to a damaged engine.

LIGHTS:

Whether it’s your headlights, tail lights, or signal lights, they need to be replaced at once when damaged—not only because of the safety threats that they pose but as well as the road regulations being imposed today. A damaged lens could be tolerable for a while, but a completely busted bulb spells trouble.

Automotive problems in general have to be addressed at once. But, there are more important problems that should be addressed now as may be suggested by your mechanic. By familiarizing yourself with these problems, you’ll know how to deal with repair suggestions.

DIY Saturday: How to Replace Your Oil Pan

The oil pan in your vehicle serves as the storage container of the oil used to lubricate the engine as it works. It is the main oil reservoir, so it’s carefully placed underneath your ride to secure the oil inside it. There are instances, though, when the pan gets damaged and leaks. And during these instances, it’s but normal for drivers to panic and come running to their trusted mechanic for a replacement. After all, an unattended pan that’s damaged could cause more serious damage on the engine.

But, before you think of going to an auto repair shop, you might want to know that you can actually replace the pan on your own—the process is easy if you have the right tools. Check these out:

You will need:

* The new oil pan and gasket

* Wrenches for removing the oil pan plug and the oil pan bolts

Procedure:

1. Gain access to the oil pan and drain all the oil in the said container by removing the oil pan plug.
2. Once all the oil has drained, it’s time to remove the pan. Remove all the bolts that connect the pan to the engine using the wrench.
3. Clean the engine surface and remove any remaining gasket before preparing the new pan and gasket for installation.
4. Carefully line up the gasket with the oil pan.
5. Line up the pan (with gasket) with the engine, and replace the bolts in their proper location.
6. Fill with oil and inspect for leaks.

The process is easy and does not take a lot of time to finish. And with the basic tools needed, it’s one task that you will have no problem doing in your garage. All you need to spend on would be a high-quality replacement pan and gasket.

Paying for Diagnosis

Think that the money you spent on car repair was only for the actual part and for the time it took the mechanic to fix the problem? Not in all cases. In many instances, part of the work that you pay for is vehicle diagnosis. In fact, in some situations, a great part of the number of hours that you pay for is spent on checking your vehicle in order to find just what the problem is. Sometimes, depending on the problem, it may take a long time for your mechanic to do the correct diagnosis, so you pay more.

When it is right: Paying for diagnostics is but fair. After all, your mechanic spends a lot of time determining what the exact problem is, something that is necessary to find the right solution and bring your vehicle back to life. It is only right that mechanics be paid for doing a good job. After all, if they do not take diagnostics seriously, they may simply resort to guessing and trial and error, the result of which could be more problems for you.

When it is wrong: Paying for vehicle diagnosis becomes unfair if you find out later on that the mechanic actually failed to pinpoint, and solve, the problem. Consider this: the mechanic tells you that the problem has to do with the spark plugs and persuades you to have the plugs replaced, only for the problem to recur when you’re back on the road. When you bring in your car the second time, you find that it’s actually the coil and not the plugs, so that means you paid for nothing during the first time.

If the latter situation happens, you can ask for a refund from the mechanic or shop, or you can ask that they perform the correct repair free of charge, depending on what your arrangement is. 

A Look at Some Auto Repair Services that May Cost Thousands of Dollars

Do you always suspect that you are being ripped off every time you bring your car to an auto repair shop for a service? If you’ve had several experiences of car repair rip-offs in the past, it is but normal to be paranoid every time you get into a repair shop again. But, for you to ease your worries, you might need to familiarize yourself with the ongoing rates of each auto repair service. This way, when you bring your vehicle to a shop, you’ll have an idea how much the work will cost you.

Below are some of the works that usually cost big:

* Engine repair. Naturally so. The engine being the main powerhouse of your vehicle, its damage can lead to the entire failure of your ride. And, servicing the engine is a labor-intensive task that consumes a lot of time, depending on how serious the problem. In some instances, it will also be best to replace other parts during this servicing, just to save on labor. So, it’s no wonder an engine repair can get expensive.

* Transmission repair or rebuild. Servicing the transmission is another high-cost job. This involves taking off the entire transmission assembly, and in some instances the project could take a few days.

* Fuel injector replacement. The high cost of an injector repair can be attributed to the high cost of a new injector. The usual injector starts at $60, and that can even get higher when it comes to some higher performance injectors.

* Extreme corrosion. The usual corrosion can be easily fixed. But, when the problem has already gone too extensive (i.e. if already a large area of your vehicle is affected), then you might be in for a huge replacement or repair job.

Should you find the need to bring your vehicle to the mechanic for any of these jobs, don’t be surprised if you will be charged with a higher fee.

Buying Parts and Having a Shop Install Them

Auto repair shops get their revenues from several things—mainly from the labor involved in doing a repair or replacement and from the part that they install. If you will notice, parts offered by these shops are more expensive than those that you will find in your local store or in online auto parts shops. Given, the parts that they offer are already available, so you don’t have to wait for a few days unlike when you shop online. But, the mark-up on these parts can sometimes be considerably huge.

One solution that many drivers try is to buy their own parts from the local shop and to bring the parts to the auto repair center for installation. Many shops and mechanics are okay with this, with some mechanics even favoring this practice in case the needed part is not available or is not easy to find. But, there are others who are not into this practice. Some of them will perform the job, but they will not provide you with a warranty for the part, sometimes even for labor. So, you will be at the mercy of your car. There are also some shops that will totally refuse to install a part that is not bought from them.

I haven’t heard of any rule or regulation that prosecutes auto repair shops that refuse to install a part because it isn’t bought from them. So, if you’re someone who wants to save on the high cost of replacement parts offered by shops by buying a cheaper one from your dealer, you need to be clear with the shop that will perform the service. If the shop will not agree, then you can always take your car to another shop that will, or do the installation yourself if you’re familiar with the process.

DIY Saturday: Three Basic Automotive Tasks that You Can DIY

It’s Saturday once again, and it’s time for our DIY post. This Saturday, let’s talk about three of the different basic car maintenance tasks that are easy to DIY, no need to go to the shop and pay the mechanic just to do them. Plus, of course, fewer instances of shop visit, less chances of getting ripped off.

In your vehicle, there are certain tasks that have to be performed periodically in order to keep certain parts and systems in great working order. And, frequent visit to mechanics for these jobs can mean more expenses. So, better do them yourselves, right?

1. Oil change. Oil is used for lubricating metal engine parts in order to keep their operation smooth and prevent friction-caused problems. As the oil circulates around engine components, it collects particles that may clog metal parts. Plus, the changing temperatures in the engine make the oil lose its viscosity over time. So, it has to be flushed and replaced after a while. The flushing and filling process is simple and can be done by any average DIYer.

2. Tire pressure check. Maintaining the correct pressure of your tires is crucial before your every drive, especially if you’re going on a long travel. Improper pressure on the tires can cause poor fuel efficiency and affect the speed by which your car moves. Plus, in certain instances, this can lead to accidents. Fortunately, checking your car’s tire pressure is easy with the use of an air pressure gauge.

3. Wiper blade replacement. The wiper blades are important components that keep your windshield clean and clear, ensuring that you see the road ahead with full clarity. The blades are made of rubber, and they can deteriorate over time. But, replacing them is actually easy, so you should have no problem doing that.

The mentioned tasks are easy to do, and they’re a good project even for those who just want to start practicing DIY in their vehicles. Let’s start looking at the procedures involved in doing these maintenance tasks in the upcoming Saturdays.

Common Add-Ons that Some Auto Repair Shops Insist

Have you ever been talked into buying something, only for you to realize later on that you don’t really need that thing? That practice is common even in auto repair shops. Because shops want to earn as much as they can (who doesn’t want revenues, anyway?), some of them resort to sales talk, convincing customers that they need to replace certain parts in their vehicle.

Now how do you know whether your mechanic’s suggestion is valid, or if he’s only trying to talk you into spending more?

* Tire change. Some mechanics will offer to change all your vehicle tires for a discounted amount. Though you may think that this is a good offer, you need to be sure that your tires are really nearing their lifespan. What you need to check are the treads in the tires. Are the treads still within the prescribed limit? If they’re not anymore, then you can take on the suggestion of the mechanic. Otherwise, refuse to have the tires changed.

* Filter change. This is another common item that mechanics seem to have interest in. You’ll find different filters in your vehicle, and some mechanics will insist on changing a filter for safety purposes. Filters do help in keeping your vehicle in good working condition. But, know that they don’t actually require frequent replacement. If there’s one filter that you need to change regularly, that’s your oil filter. The ideal interval for replacing this filter is every oil change. Other than this, the rest of the filters don’t have to be replaced frequently. Check your manual for the correct replacement interval of each.

It’s so easy to be ripped off if you’re in the dark when it comes to the different parts of your vehicle. So, familiarize yourself with these parts and their replacement intervals so that you’ll be less likely to fall into fraud.

DIY Saturday: The Basic Tools that You Need in Your Garage for All Your Automotive Tasks

It’s DIY Saturday once again! Last week the topic was about the prevention of damage when the engine starts to overheat. This Saturday, it’ll be a little different – let’s talk about the tools that you need to do your own car repair inside your garage. There are some repairs that even the average Joe can accomplish, so there’s no need to bring your vehicle to the shop, pay hundreds of dollars, and suffer from a possible rip-off.

As long as you have the following tools, you can already accomplish a lot of basic tasks and save more dollars:

Screwdriver and Wrench Sets. These are basic tools for use when doing repairs in your automobile. Whichever system you’re working on, you’ll almost always find nuts and bolts to loosen or tighten, parts to torque properly, and these basic tools are important for these tasks.

Jack. If you’re doing some work on parts and systems underneath your vehicle, the only way to accomplish the task is by getting underneath your ride. And, you will need to lift the car to achieve that. A jack is also a safety mechanism—it will ensure that your vehicle will be securely lifted without banging down and possibly putting you in danger.

Creeper. This is the perfect partner for the jack. When doing under-the-car repairs, sliding and lying on your back and peering at the part to be repaired is best and most conveniently done with the help of a creeper.

Volt Ohm Meter. This tool is designed for diagnosing problems. This is used to measure voltage in a device, so it’s ideal for testing electrical parts.

With the help of these tools, it will be easy to perform basic automotive tasks, and even to diagnose problems before bringing your vehicle in for repair. This is especially useful for people who dread going to auto repair shops or to those who have little trust on shop mechanics.

Auto Repair Gone Bad: A Classic Example

A friend called me last week to tell me about her first negative car repair experience, a classic situation into which anyone can fall.

She bought her car to a shop because of a problem that has to do with the engine suddenly dying while she’s driving. There was nothing else together with this problem. The engine would just die all so sudden, with no warning whatsoever.

The mechanic told her to replace the fuel pump because it was not providing enough pressure for the fuel to reach the engine. After paying for the new pump and for labor, my friend brought her car home. The car was normal for a few days, until the same thing happened again—the car suddenly dying without any warning.

My friend returned the car to the shop and complained about the problem. The mechanic looked into it and then said that the regulator and the filter needed a replacement. My friend, who was growing a bit suspicious but was in dire need to have her car fixed, gave in.

But, the same thing happened—she got the car back and the problem returned. This time, she brought the car to another shop. Upon inspection, the shop found that it’s the inertia switch that’s failing. This switch is a component that shuts off the fuel when the car gets in an accident in order to protect the passengers from possible fuel hazards like fire. When the switch is damaged, it may prevent the fuel from reaching the engine.

True enough, when the mechanic pressed the reset button found on the switch, the car got back to its original shape. That was a temporary solution, though, and the switch had to be replaced. My friend agreed to the replacement, and the car ran fine since then.

According to the second mechanic, the old switch shows signs of wear that had most probably started for a long time, so there’s a great probability that it was the reason for the previous problems and not the fuel pump, regulator, and filter that have been replaced.

Friday’s Advice: Water Pump Replacement

In relation to my post yesterday about repair and replacement, a friend consulted me about the suggestion of a mechanic to him to have the water pump of his vehicle replaced—when in fact he brought the vehicle in just for a timing belt replacement.

He was a little confused about the suggestion, given the fact that his vehicle’s water pump was in good shape and there was no problem at all in the cooling system of his car.

Now what’s the best thing to do?

The fact is, the suggestion of the mechanic is valid. Why? Well, replacing a water pump is a tasking work, and it involves the removal of different parts. You also have to take the timing belt off—this process involves almost 90% of the entire procedure.

This is the reason a water pump replacement is advised when taking the timing belt off. It’s so much of a hassle to repeat the complicated procedure just to replace the water pump a few weeks after replacing the timing belt. By replacing the pump and the belt together, you save on labor expenses and effort—much like hitting two birds with one stone.

The final decision here still lies on the vehicle owner, so I told my friend about the possibilities. One way to decide would be to determine how long the pump had been in the vehicle. Most pumps on average have the same replacement interval as the belt. If at all, they should be replaced before they reach 100,000 miles. Sure, I’ve read of pumps that last as long as 170,000 miles, but those are more of the exception rather than the rule.

Well, in the end, it’s a personal choice. My friend’s pump had actually exceeded the 100,000-mile mark. His pump had 115,000 miles on it. So, replacement was indeed a good option.

When to Go for Repair and When to Go for Replacement

Don’t know whether to take on your mechanic’s suggestion to replace a particular part in your ride? There may be instances when a shop mechanic will tell you to replace a specific part even when it isn’t damaged or has not failed completely yet—for one reason or another. Well sure, your mechanic may be just asking this so that he can earn additional dollars from you. But, this may not always be the case.

The basic rule is this: if the part is already damaged, replace it; if it can still be repaired, repair it. There are instances, however, that are not as simple as this. There are certain exceptions to this given rule.

Some of these are as follow:

* Leaking fluid containers. Is your vehicle’s radiator leaking coolant? The decision to repair or replace should depend on the hole of the radiator and the extent of coolant leak. If the hole is still quite small, the problem can possibly be solved by simply welding the damaged area. If, however, you have a serious and a big leak, then you might as well replace the said part.

* Damaged body panel. Fender benders are common road accidents. And although a damaged body panel will not affect your driving performance or safety, it will affect your driving appeal. So, fixing the problem is a must. If the panel is bent, then you may simply have it repaired. In fact, you can do the task on your own. There are tools that you can use to get a bent panel back in shape. If, however, the damaged area is large, it may be better to replace it.

These two examples are common dilemmas that vehicle owners have to face regularly. By knowing when to repair and when to replace, you can easily make a decision without letting the mechanic of an auto repair shop persuade you into accepting his offer.