Get the Most out of Your Visit
Write down the symptoms. Take detailed notes on the
problems you have noticed. For example, note if the condition is weather
related or occurs when the engine is warm or cold. These written symptoms
will help allow your technician to understand intermittent problems.
Describe; don't diagnose. Similar to going to the
doctor, you want to relate the symptoms, but you wouldn't prescribe
treatment. It works that same way for automobile service. Tape your notes to
your steering wheel. The Advantage Auto Repair technician you talk to may
not be the technician who works on your vehicle, but whoever does will
likely sit in the driver seat at some point.
Check service hours. With your busy schedule, early
bird or late-night drop-off service may be convenient. Be sure to follow up
with a phone call to check on the status of your vehicle.
Understand the service to be performed. After the
inspection and diagnosis you should expect to receive a thorough explanation
of the maintenance or repairs to be performed on your vehicle. Also, be sure
to get a hard copy of a signed estimate for parts and labor so there are no
surprises at vehicle pickup time.
Rate may vary. There is a flat rate for some repairs
and an hourly rate for others. When in doubt, ask the Advantage Auto Repair
technician. Also make sure to ask about vehicle service contracts.
A service contract is a protection plan. It provides
coverage for your vehicle in the event of mechanical failure beyond the
manufacturer's warranty. Similar to car insurance, you pay for the
protection even if your vehicle performs flawlessly.
Start your Car and Get Moving
Modern automobiles don’t need to warm up. Older cars
used to take 5-10 minutes to “warm-up,” but with new cars, it is best to get
your car to its proper operating temperature as quickly as possible.
Accelerate, steer, and brake gently for the first few minutes after you start
your car, and once the engine temperature has been raised you can drive
normally.
Don’t “Roll Shift”
Always come to a complete stop before you shift into
reverse from drive, or drive from reverse. If you don’t come to a complete
stop, you can seriously degrade the life of your automatic transmission, which
can be a very costly repair.
Use your parking brakes on hills
To avoid another costly mistake that most people make,
use the parking brake when you’re parked on a hill. A small pin in your
transmission locks it into place when you’re in park. If you’re on a hill,
that small pin is the only thing holding your car in place. By using your
parking brake, you take the stress off of your transmission.
Don’t ride the clutch
Always strive for smooth and seamless shifting. Manual
transmissions can be damaged by improperly releasing the clutch pedal, pushing
it in too far or not enough, or riding it past the point of engagement. You
can greatly increase the life of your transmission by driving smoother.
Always Fill Your Tank
Fuel pumped from an empty tank, the fuel may carry
oxygen, moisture and deposits into the fuel line which could damage your fuel
filter and fuel pump. Always fill your tank anytime it’s less than 1/3 full.
Allowing your tank to run dry or low will build up deposits on the bottom that
can lead to problems.
Beware of Additives
Unless your auto technician recommends a product, it’s
generally not wise to put additives into your oil, transmission fluid, or
gasoline. There are delicate chemical balances that could be disrupted by
adding these kinds of products.
Wash your car with products designed
for clear-coat paint finishes
Using dishwasher detergent for washing your car is
hazardous to your car’s finish. The abrasives in dishwasher detergent can
weaken the clear coat and dull the finish. Special soaps designed for today’s
clear-coat finishes are available pretty much anywhere.
Follow your vehicle’s maintenance
schedule
Every car comes with a maintenance manual that
outlines the scheduled times for your car’s maintenance. Changing your oil,
filters, spark plugs, and other components according to your car’s specific
needs will keep it running better and longer.
Find an Auto Repair Shop You
Trust
Consider technical expertise, quality of the parts, as
well as hours and location. Advantage Auto Repair knows how hard it is for
people to find an auto repair shop they want to go back to. That’s why we’re
changing the how car repair is done. We want you to know that you can trust us
to put the best parts into your car with unmatched expertise.
Today’s Vehicles Have Changed
The technology built into today’s automobiles requires
technical expertise that can handle repairs properly. The time between
required maintenance visits has grown, and traditional “tune-ups” are a thing
of the past. Almost every part and function of your car is handled by a
computer. Make sure the professionals handling your car know the technology.
Advantage Auto Repair’s highly skilled mechanics know what to do when it comes
to your car, no matter the make or model.
Transmission and Oil Maintenance
While the technology in your vehicle has changed, two
parts of your car still require regular attention and maintenance. That would
be your transmission and engine. Transmission fluids and filters should be
checked and replaced according to your car’s owner’s manual. Your engine
requires proper oil system care to run efficiently. Typically between 3,000
and 5,000 miles, changing you oil and oil filter is necessary
What is your dashboard
trying to tell you
Every modern car has an instrument panel designed to
warn you of any possible malfunctions that may be happening. If you know what
they mean, then you can save a lot of money in costly repairs if you catch a
problem early enough. Most expensive car repairs, which could have been
avoided, are due to negligence because people do not head the warnings, or do
not know what they mean.
Temperature gauge / light
A reading on your temperature gauge near the “H” zone
is an indication of trouble. Pull over, shift into neutral and allow your
engine to idle. Do not continue to drive if the gauge does not return to
normal. You can seriously damage your engine if it is overheating and you
continue to drive.
Service Engine Soon (SES) Light
This light maintains emissions and the engine control
system. When you start your car, an active SES light is normal for a moment.
If you’re driving and the light is still active, it is time to get it checked
out. Advantage Auto Repair will turn off your Service Engine Soon light for
free. We have advanced equipment that will let us know what’s wrong with your
car.
Voltage Gauge / Battery Light
This gauges the electrical system’s voltage of your
car. If the pointer is “high” or “low” or very different from what you are
used to seeing, you should get it looked at.
Oil Gauge and Light
Oil pressure is a very important aspect of your car’s
functionality. This light doesn’t indicate how much oil you have in your
engine, but low oil pressure can mean a low amount of oil. There can be a
variety of reasons why your engine is not getting enough lubrication, but the
most important thing to know is that poor lubrication can wreak havoc on your
engine. The longer you drive with this problem, the more permanent the damage
will be to your engine. Seek service immediately. This is not a problem you
want to let slide!
