Don’t Be Afraid

The Fear Generators

The thought of automotive repair seems to strike fear in the hearts of even the bravest of Phoenix consumers.  Why is that?

• When consumers go to the doctor or dentist and get bad news they fear bodily pain; when they get bad news about their vehicle they fear the pain they might feel in their wallet because repair invoices are higher than preventive maintenance invoices.
• Auto repair shops are still tops in the rating charts of businesses consumers don’t trust.
• They also top the charts in complaints to the Consumer Protection Division.
• The media took hidden cameras to several untrustworthy auto repair businesses to reinforce in the consumers’ minds that some shops are a bunch of rip-off artists.
• The general public is not very knowledgeable about the ins and outs of automotive repair because the places they do business with don’t bother to educate their customers.

Fear Eliminator: The Warranty

A reputable shop will warranty their parts and their labor.  For this reason, most shops prefer not to use parts supplied by the consumer.  If they do accept these types of parts generally and understandably they will not warrantee the job.

If a consumer simply can’t afford the cost of the estimated repair, shops sometimes will look for salvaged parts because they are less expensive but again, they most likely will not warrantee the job.  The good news is that most independent shops will use aftermarket parts which are high in quality but are not as expensive as original manufactured parts.  Aftermarket parts will be covered by warranty.

Fear Eliminator:  Testimonials and an Educated Staff

• Look for testimonials from a shop’s customers…make sure they sound genuine and not something fabricated by the shop owner or his/her family
• An excellent shop is staffed by excellent people. The shop owner will make sure everyone from the owner, the service advisor to the technician is involved in continuing education classes.  This industry changes quickly and without ongoing education a shop’s staff will quickly fall behind and be inept at servicing and maintaining today’s vehicles.
• Certifications show that the shop’s staff has had continuing education classes in certain areas but they must be kept current.

Fear Eliminator: The Reality

Consumers understandably want what is best for their vehicles at an affordable cost.  We call that value! They sometimes go to a great deal of trouble clipping coupons for oil changes at one place, tires at another, brakes at yet another and on and on it goes.  Some even tell themselves this is good for their car because they are taking it to a specialist instead of a general car care practitioner. In reality, this usually costs them more money and can actually wreak havoc with their car’s health. Eliminating an on-going relationship with a shop who knows your car’s medical history, and all the aspects of the care it has been receiving, risks getting diminished care for your car. Managed preventive maintenance reduces your car’s healthcare costs too!

Fear Eliminator: Trust

Find a shop you trust, just like you need to find a doctor, dentist or vet you trust, stick with them and your car will be healthier and have less need for repair due to preventive care.  This alone will save you money! The fear factor keeps many consumers away until the car breaks down. The end result is a major repair that could have, in most instances, been prevented.  Your owner’s manual tells you clearly how often your car needs servicing.  The service advisor of your chosen shop can also tell you how frequently your make and model needs to have service and what services are recommended.  A quarterly visit lets the technicians keep an eye on hoses and belts that could break or leak, causing problems, as well as other areas.

Don’t Let Fear Rule You

If fear has been keeping you away remember that neglecting your vehicle’s needs will cost you more money in the long run because repairs are much more expensive than maintaining a vehicle.  Be proactive about your car’s health!  You’ll be glad you did.  You will also find that most automotive service and repair shops are excellent, reputable establishments that are staffed by people who genuinely love cars!  They actually hurt to see one mistreated or neglected.

To find out more visit www.fairwayautoreapair com.

 

 

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Beware The Cyclops Syndrome

We’ve all seen it…driving down the road on a dark night and here comes a single lighted something coming your way.  Is it a motorcycle?  A UFO?  It passes by and you realize it was a car with a headlight out!  When driving at night, even on busy lighted highways it is essential to see and be seen…clearly!

It is also helpful when driving behind someone to see their taillights and to be able to know their intentions by seeing their brake lights or turn signals!

This brings me to your headlights. Back in the day they were made with glass but now they are made with plastic or polycarbonate.  This material is porous and expands slightly when it gets hot.  Over time it becomes oxidized and gets cloudy in appearance.  Not only does it look bad, it reduces visibility.  Your auto car professional now has a way to clean these for you and it is money well spent so you can see when driving at night and others can see you clearly too!

Make sure you check all your lights periodically for the maximum safe driving experience.

 

 

 

Accidents Happen

After the Crash

70% of traffic accidents do not involve injuries. It doesn’t seem to matter though, whether you have a fender bender or total your vehicle; accidents cause a lot of stress.  It’s always a good idea to keep a check list in your glove box just in case of an accident so you can more calmly assess the situation and act in a rational manner.  Here are some things Phoenix drivers need to keep in mind.

• Call 911 if someone is injured or call the police if not.
• If possible and there isn’t a lot of damage to the vehicles move them a safe distance from traffic.
• Exchange information
• When the police arrive they will fill out an official accident report for you.
• Report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible.

Questions to Ask Your Insurance Agent

• Do I have rental car coverage?
• Do I have comprehensive coverage (covers theft, fire, vandalism, glass replacement and deer claims)?
• How much is my deductible?
• If I have an accident, what kinds of parts will be used to repair my vehicle (new original manufactured parts or new aftermarket parts or reconditioned parts)?
• What does full coverage mean (you have collision but not necessarily rental, comprehensive or new original manufactured parts coverage)?

Questions to Ask Your Body Shop

• Can I get a written estimate and an explanation of planned repairs?
• Will I receive a written guarantee from your shop?
• When is my deductible due?
• Will my vehicle be available for the insurance adjuster’s inspection?
• What is the estimated completion date of my repairs?
• Will I owe more than the insurance estimate?

Hopefully you won’t be in an accident any time soon but just in case, these are points to ponder and remember. To find out more about keeping your vehicle healthy, visit us at http://www.fairwayautorepair.com!

 

 

 

Why It Takes An Expert

DEFINITION OF AN EXPERT
Expert:
Noun – a person who has special skill or knowledge in some field; specialist; authority.
Adjective – possessing special skill or knowledge; trained by practice; skillful or skilled;
Having, involving, or demonstrating great skill, dexterity, or knowledge as the result of experience or training; having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude; “adept in handicrafts;” “an adept juggler”; “an expert job”; “a good mechanic”; “a practiced marksman”; “a proficient engineer.”

MICRO COMPUTERS
We live in the age of specialists or experts.  Many can still recall the days when people took care of maintaining their own vehicles.  There was even a term for these handy types.  They were called “shade-tree mechanics.”  Where have they all gone?  Cars didn’t used to be so complicated but each year when the new models are rolled off the assembly lines the built in computers make it more difficult for shade-tree mechanics to exist.

Cars have anywhere from 10 to 75 microcomputers on board and all network and talk to each other.  Even for us experts, a scan tool is needed.  This testing device requires software and is then plugged into the car’s data port, telling our technicians what and where the problem is.  The scan tools alone cost between $2,500 – $35,000 each.

EXPERTISE REQUIRES MANAGEMENT AND TECHNICAL TRAINING
Cars have become increasingly sophisticated but many shop owners and technicians haven’t.  It costs money to buy the equipment to service and repair today’s vehicles and it takes training.  Our education is on-going because there are changes made by manufacturers each year.

WE WANT ONLY THE BEST FOR YOU
Many independent shops are closing their doors because they refuse to pay the money to keep current.  They don’t require continuing education for their staff and they don’t require it for themselves either.  They don’t buy the state-of-the-art equipment because they and their staff aren’t trained to use it.  We keep current in all areas.  Because of this, we attract the best staff.  SmartMoney.com states that “a mechanic you can trust is worth his weight in gold.”  We work hard to be worth our weight in gold each day.

WHY AN EXPERT CHANGING YOUR OIL IS AN ADVANTAGE
The important thing to us is keeping your car in perfect running order.  When we change your oil, we notice other items that need attention now or soon. We prefer to be proactive, not reactive.  This enables us to correct a problem early.  Not only does this save you money, as prevention is always less expensive than a repair, it can keep you from experiencing a breakdown situation.  We care about your safety and welfare and prefer not to see your vehicle come to us by a tow truck.

DEALING WITH AN EXPERT SAVES YOU MONEY AND TIME
We have the equipment and the training necessary to make the correct diagnosis for your car.  Those who don’t have our expertise are “parts replacers” and that costs you in time and money.  The non-expert will just keep replacing parts, and you pay for each part even if it doesn’t fix the problem, until finally the car is “fixed.” It is bad enough that this costs you more money on parts you didn’t need but it also takes more time.

EXPERTS IN CUSTOMER SERVICE
Today’s technology is only as good as those who know how to understand it.  Only a qualified technician can assess the condition of your car.  You can almost always expect a list of recommended services from us but we will also tell you which are crucial and which can wait till sometime in the future.  This way we feel we are working with you to keep your vehicle healthy.  We are always available to discuss your car’s needs.

 

 

Is Your Car Stayin’ Alive?

It is no secret that the staff at Fairway Auto Repair in Phoenix know how to keep a car stayin’ alive!

What’s the secret to a car’s longevity?

Team Up With A Great Mechanic – Fairway Auto Repair has great technicians (we feel the best in Phoenix, of course) that you can trust. They will make sure you are aware when it is time for preventive service and when your car starts to age, they will work with you to help it age gracefully.  Following the recommended service schedules in your owner’s manual is a good place to start and using quality parts and fluids is essential.

Pay Attention – No one knows your car better than you do…even if you never lift the hood.  You drive it all the time and you know when it isn’t sounding, smelling or operating the same as usual.  Don’t ignore these changes, no matter how subtle.  It could be the beginning of a major problem so get it taken care of before that happens.  It will be better for your vehicle and your wallet.

Be Prepared – When humans age they start needing a few more things to keep their health maintained such as a prescription or two or more exercise and a better diet or maybe even a knee or hip replacement.  The same thing will happen to your car when it starts to age. Eventually, no matter how well you keep it serviced it will need a replacement part or two in order to keep it safe and going strong.  Consider that purchasing a new car is extremely expensive, especially when you add in insurance costs so repairing an existing vehicle is a sound financial decision.

Keep It Clean – We can help you keep your car mechanically sound, but you need to keep it looking good inside and out.  A clean car protects it and a clean waxed car is even better.

If you want to keep your car “stayin’ alive” call Fairway Auto Repair today!

 

 

Misconceptions

Here are some of the most common misconceptions that I hear on a regular basis:

Misconception # 1: Your car manufacturer specifies regular maintenance schedules just to get you back into their shop and make more money off of you.

Although manufacturers are making cars that last longer and require less overall maintenance, they do require preventive maintenance. If maintained properly, you can expect your car to go well over 100,000 miles without major repairs. For instance, most engines have timing belts that must be replaced (as maintenance) before they break and cause expensive damage.

Misconception # 2: A shop can give you an accurate price quote over the phone without seeing your car.

You can waste your time calling 20 different shops and get 20 different prices 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. Beware of any shop that is willing to give you a quote over the phone without seeing the car. Most likely they will tell you a real low price just to get you to set up an appointment. Then they may hit you with a much higher price once you get there.

Misconception # 3: Most repair shops will recommend extra work just to get you to spend more money.

The fact is that any shop that does not look for potential problems is actually doing you a great disservice. Quality repair shops road test every car and want to uncover wear and tear before they cause expensive problems and breakdowns. Something as simple as discovering and changing a worn belt can save you the danger (and embarrassment) of breaking down on a busy highway and an expensive towing charge.

Misconception # 4: All repair shops are the same.

There can be a huge difference between repair shops. New car technology requires constant training to keep current with all the changes. It also requires having the latest diagnostic equipment available.

 

 

 

Dipsticks – They are Disappearing

I remember when we checked engine oil and transmission fluid by pulling the dipstick out, wiping it clean, putting it back in, and pulling it back out.  That simple process enabled us to check the fluid level.  We could tell many things by that dipstick, but today it isn’t that simple. Many new models don’t even come equipped with an engine oil or transmission dipstick!

Modern automobiles have become marvels of precision and durability over the years. Many transmissions have 5, 6, 7 or even 8 speeds and do not have a dipstick to allow checking or adding to the fluid level or inspecting the fluid condition, unless you have specialty tools to do so.  Some engines are following suit by removing the dipstick as well. These cars rely on the engine computer to check oil level and condition. Not sure about you, but that scares me.

Vehicles with dipstick-less engines and transmissions came about to keep people from adding incorrect fluid. A person or non-qualified shop would add or change the fluid using the incorrect type. The engine and/or transmission would fail prematurely because the less-expensive fluid did not lubricate properly, and failure was eminent. The consumer might put the fault on a poorly designed or defective car. This is happening more and more.

Some of these engines and transmissions are filled with what the manufacturer says is “long life” fluid, claiming it does not require changing for many miles. I recommend you find a trust worthy service center and use the manufacturer recommendations along with your service advisor recommendations to make the final decision on when to service your car.

With rules regulating the automotive manufacturers that mandate fuel mileage be increased every year, vehicles require very specific synthetic fluids. The cost of today’s fluids can be staggering, ranging from $6.00 to $26.00 per quart. Adding the wrong fluid will damage the internally lubricated parts over time.

Please do your homework when having any service performed; it can be devastating if the wrong fluid or incorrect fill procedure is performed.