Tips from your Local Mechanic about your Car. What to Expect for Repairs.

Tips from a Mechanic/ Technician.

Lets keep it simple

Cars today have plastic, it breaks
cars before had metal, they rust

Cars today have cpu controlled fuel/ air, its more expensive but you get in start and go anywhere.
when it breaks its more money to fix, and you need professional equipment to read the data to know what to fix.

Cars before had human installed carbureation. that always needed to be tuned, allowed to much fuel to go into the engine "thinning" out your oil making engines last 100k miles max. alot of ignition components would wear. you never knew when the wear was going to be too much. should I take a trip, should I not?

Today things cost more. but under normal circumstances you get in  your car and go. So things cost more when they break and long go the years of fixing it in your back yard. so make an adjustment.  Be prepared for expensive repairs. But you can have that car most likely for 100k with no problems.  I suggest a good aftermarket warranty.  Read Read read your agreement. Many aftermarket warranties do not cover bumper to bumper repairs. they have a deductible. They are usually very expensive. But a good one can save you in the long haul. You can then tow your vehicle to your local dealer and get "the best" possible person to work on that vehicle. Large aftermarket car sales usually have in house repairs when it breaks if you got a warranty to go with it. Some dont have rental cars so you need transportation. Remember friends they can help take you places, or go hang out with grandma. She misses you anyways. Dont sit at a dealer all day waiting for a repair. Many times the parts are not available, and most likely a lot of cars came in before yours. We balance this as best as possible trying to get as many cars as possible done. but if its a big problem it make take a while. we may fix two quick cars then get to yours. Its just the way it is to make as many people happy as possible. Its not that your not important is just the best for the big picture. Plus when we get to yours we need to be focused and have time to make a good decision and diagnostics to make the repair. so its only done once.

Now what to do for your vehicle. All vehicles have a suggested maintenance schedule. Stick to it. don't do it before, don't do it to late. This will protect you from getting something you don't need and also make sure you do maintain your car. ALWAYS do your oil change on time. Most cars now go 5k miles on an oil change. Mostly that is because of your tires. Tires ALWAYS need to be rotated every 5k miles. Most tires now a days only last 30k miles. Especially if you buy a new car. Depending on your environment. I am in a severe environment. Most hot, cold, are classified as extreme. Coming into a shop at this time also gives you a chance to get your vehicle looked over for issues. Parts wear out. suspension, brakes, and fluids. So you go to long you not only miss out on proper maintenance but also could have an issue that you can't see.  A lot of people have long trips to work and the stores. So it is important to have a professional have contact with your car frequently. Find a place you like. where you are treated properly. There are a ton of maintenance facilities. you are not limited. Don't feel trapped. Most importantly you are there to get your car maintained or repaired. So when judging a place that is most important. Then its nice to be catered. This should look like a little better then a doctors visit. Your not paying for catering. Your paying for a mechanical device to be maintained or repaired. not your ego. lol.

Now what repairs to be prepared for. It is good to have your alignment checked around 12 miles consistently. Most places do a free alignment check that you can have done each visit. If its in the red you can chose to have it fixed then or on your next visit. Some cars require parts for properly aligning your vehicle. ASK. Ask questions. Expect answers. You dont know whats best when it comes to your car. But you will know what the best decision is for you. Never be forced to do anything. So alignments are important for tire wear. Here is a run down of what you need consistently.

Oil change
Tire rotation
Alignments.
Brakes last a lot longer now but usually checked at 30k. most need a brake job around the 50k mark.
(Depending on how you drive. Yes I am talking to you. taking turns at 45 mph, and waiting to the last minute to stop when you seen that light or stop sign a mile back.) Don't worry I do that too.
Always ask about leaks.
Suspension components do wear. be prepared.
Finally Tires.

So save your money. Keep your car maintained. Oil changes usually $40 with tire rotation, alignments are usually $70-$100, remember alignment checks are free, cause they can sell them if they check bad. Red is bad, Green is good. Real simple. look at the numbers too. Then you know how far off it is from the center point. Brakes every 50k usually are about $100 per front then rear is another 100. Then Tires, very important. they can go anywhere from 40 to 200 each. I suggest the tire stores cause they almost always have a deal on tires and alignments for life. Try to get a good extended warranty for the big cost items.  Most people trade there vehicles in when big costed items show up, which in turns put them in a bad spot financially some times. Most times its better to make a repair. If you have a warranty then you will most likely stick with your car which can save you money. If you buy a new car or a certified car make sure if you buy an extended warranty from a Dealer that it starts when your original warranty ends. Most will allow them to overlap. Try to prevent this. And my final point. The best extended warranties are always dealership warranties. Usually come with rental cars, almost covers all the parts. Read read read.