How to know if you really need the repairs your auto shop is recommending
When a new customer comes to us for the first time, the one question they often have (but keep to themselves) is this: Will we recommend work they don’t need?
Sometimes, it’s based on bad experiences with other shops. Sometimes, it’s just because they don’t know us. We haven’t had a chance yet to earn their trust.
Whether you’re coming to Hong Kong Auto Service or going to another shop for the first time, here are some ways to arm yourself with information and to feel confident that you’ve chosen a reputable shop. After all, knowledge is power.
Your Car’s Maintenance Schedule
The maintenance schedule is a chart, located in your car’s owner’s manual that tells you how often your car needs to be serviced and what work needs to be done. Most automobile manufacturers provide two recommended maintenance schedules, referred to as ‘”regular service” and “severe service,” or they are simply called “Schedule 1” and “Schedule 2.”
A severe service schedule recommends more frequent oil changes, air filter replacements and transmission service. If you typically drive under the following conditions, you should consider the severe maintenance schedule:
- You drive in extreme temperatures.
- You drive in stop-and-go traffic.
- You drive mostly on side streets as opposed to interstate driving (your engine is at low speed most of the time).
- You drive in dusty or muddy conditions.
- You routinely tow a trailer, haul heavy loads or carry a car-top carrier.
Because of the heavy traffic and extreme temperatures we have in the Chicago area, we most often defer to the vehicle manufacturer’s severe service schedule for our clients. Local, stop-and-go miles combined with our weather are generally tougher on vehicles than highway miles and mild temperatures.
Ask Questions
All shops do things differently. If you’re going in for an oil change, does the shop get the car in and out, or do they do a full vehicle inspection? If they see additional maintenance or repairs, will they call your or email you? Do they do digital inspections to document your vehicle?
When you come to Hong Kong Auto Service for an oil change, we also inspect for fluid leaks, check tire pressure, make sure your vehicle’s headlights and taillights are working and we top off your fluids. The inspection is included in the price of an oil change, and we do this because it’s a way to identify problems early on. This can save you money or allow you time to budget for a repair.
If the car does need some maintenance or repairs, we will put together a precise estimate for you and call you to explain what is needed and why. What should you do? Read on!
What Should You Do if a Problem is Found?
Ask for more information. If you’re at the shop, ask them to show you the vehicle and explain what they’re recommending and why. For example, if the service advisor says the transmission fluid needs to be changed, he or she should be able to show you your transmission fluid and explain what clean fluid looks like. (Clean transmission fluid is typically red and translucent. Dirty fluid is brown or gray, or in severe cases, dark brown-black and sludgy.)
If you’re not at the shop, you should still ask them to explain the recommendations and the reasons behind them. If you’re not sure what they’re describing, remember that a picture is worth a thousand words. With cell phones, email and texting, it’s easy enough for a service advisor to snap some photos or video and send it to you.
At a minimum, any reputable repair shop will provide a detailed repair estimate and ask you to authorize any repairs or maintenance. Most (but not all) auto shops today use software to generate easy-to-read, clearly detailed estimates.
If the shop won’t do this or doesn’t answer your questions, it’s OK to decline the work and seek out a second opinion. This will take more time, but you’ll gain peace of mind. Ultimately, we recommend you find a repair shop that you trust to be your go-to place, whether you need an oil change or a major repair. That way, you won’t have to wonder if you’re being given the straight scoop.
If you’re due for some maintenance, make an appointment online or call us at 847-251-0300. You can trust that if we recommend maintenance or repairs, it’s because you genuinely need them.
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