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Monday, August 23, 2010

Places To Have Your Car Repaired

By Benjamin Rowe

People hate fixing cars. People need their cars to transport them to work, school and for recreational activities. When their trusty car suddenly breaks down, it drives people bonkers. The immediate need is to get your car fixed, and repaired correctly at an affordable price. Where do you turn when this happens?

In the past, your local service station used to be your best friend in such a crisis. But in these modern times of self-service quick marts, a full service station is often very difficult to find. Most of today's stations don't even have a service department or automotive repairs, unlike before, when everyone knew the name of their local service station repairman and could rely on their assistance in case of an emergency. The majority offer fuel, food and some modern convenience items, but that's about it. You may have chosen to take your car to the local full service station for repairs by a trusted automotive mechanic you've known for years, ff you are lucky enough to still have one.

Consider the dealership where you purchased your vehicle, if that is not an option for you. Almost every dealership's repair staff is knowledgeable about the brands they sell. Repair staff may even be required to be certified in maintenance and repair of their brands. This may be your best choice if your vehicle is still under the dealership's warranty. Compared to other repair shops, dealership service typically does incur higher labor and parts rates. Most warranties require that you bring your car to a manufacturer's approved service facility to maintain the warranty. As a part of the deal when you purchase a new vehicle, many new auto sales include some level of maintenance service. These plans usually include oil changes, fluid checks and sometimes even tire rotation.

You might want to find a qualified service shop that is less pricey in labor charges if your car is past the warranty period. Make sure that the mechanics are ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certified if you choose to find another service repair location instead of a specific manufacturer's dealer representative. This means that the technician fixing your car has been tested on various aspects of automotive repair and maintenance and has been extensively trained. ASE certified professionals are masters of their crafts and in their area of specialty from specific engines to drive train and body work. Most ASE mechanics have an embroidered patch on their work clothes displaying their certification status or display their certification documents.

The goal is to get your vehicle repaired correctly and get you back on the road quickly at the lowest expenditure possible. Taking a few moments to check out your repair options can save you money and the possible headache from a faulty repair job.

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