Hong Kong Auto Service, Your Local Mechanic!

Many people mistakenly believe that taking their car to the dealership is their only option or that the dealer somehow is “better” than the local repair shop. It’s a common misconception that you have to take your new car back to the dealer while it’s under warranty. This is simply NOT TRUE. You have choices, and we want you to understand what they are.

Your new car warranty does not cover routine maintenance, such as oil changes, tire rotations, and air filters. Federal law protects your right to choose the repair shop that performs these services for you. Going to an auto repair shop other than the dealer for these services does not void your warranty. You’re only required to keep documented proof that the maintenance has been done. At Hong Kong Auto Service (HKAS), we provide you with a computerized invoice after every service visit. We also maintain a complete vehicle service history in our database and can provide you with records at any time.

It’s true that dealerships usually have cushy, comfortable waiting rooms, with big-screen TVs, free coffee or soft drinks, and possibly even free popcorn and cookies. Don’t forget that those fancy waiting rooms cost money and guess where it’s coming from? The car manufacturer isn’t paying for those sleek sofas. You are!

Am I required to go to the dealer?

Why spend money doing repairs that would be free if you have them done under warranty? At HKAS, we would tell you upfront that this repair is probably covered under your warranty.

If you’ve received notice that there is a recall on your vehicle, this will also be performed at the dealer free of charge. It is important to have this done at the dealer because most recalls are safety-related items. After the recall has been performed, it will be noted in the computer file dealerships keep on every vehicle.

• If your vehicle is still under warranty and the repair will be covered.

• If you purchased or if your new vehicle came with a maintenance plan and it is still covered under this maintenance plan (see below for “Free Maintenance”)

• If you have a lease and the lease states that you must have maintenance and/or repairs done at a certified dealer

• If your vehicle has a recall notice

Under any of the above circumstances, you absolutely should go to the dealer.

What IS NOT covered by my warranty?

Your warranty does not cover routine maintenance. You pay for these services out of pocket, and you are free to have these done anywhere you choose without jeopardizing your new car warranty.

Examples:

• Oil changes

• Tire rotations

• Windshield wiper blades

• Air filters & fuel filters

• Brake pads

• Cooling flush

• Transmission fluid change

• Wheel alignments

At Hong Kong Auto Service, we can change your oil and your wiper blades while you wait. Is that what you will experience at the dealer? Can you drive up, and get in and out within an hour? Sometimes, the real savings is in the time savings.

When you bring your car to Hong Kong Auto Service, we will take care of these services for you, and at the same time, inspect the vehicle for any needed warranty repairs that may not be visible to you.

Bought a new car with “Free Maintenance?”

For example, some plans cover oil changes, wiper blades, and brake pads, but exclude tire rotations. Many plans also limit your oil changes to once a year or every 10,000 miles (or longer). We firmly believe this can be detrimental to your engine in the long run and recommend paying out of pocket for at least one more oil change in the middle of that interval.

In addition, don’t assume the services covered in the free program are the same as the recommended maintenance schedule for your vehicle. The free services rarely mirror the recommended maintenance schedule.

Hong Kong Auto Service Will Save You Money

On average, HKAS will charge a fraction of what a dealership does when it comes to labor prices. We will also be able to offer you substantial savings on parts. In addition to saving money from labor and parts costs, when it comes to maintenance items, such as tires, batteries, or even windshield wipers, your independent repair shop can offer you a large variety of brands (and prices) to choose from. The dealer cannot do that because they’re more restricted by the vehicle manufacturer.

The idea here is that, at the dealer, they won’t use anything except original equipment manufactured, or OEM, parts. These are made at the factory by the manufacturer (IE Ford, General Motors, Honda). While the quality might be better, if the part isn’t in stock, you must wait for it to arrive.

Since HKAS works on all types of vehicles and uses OEM and aftermarket parts, we can advise you when an OEM part is the better deal or whether an aftermarket part works just as well.

Keep Your Vehicle Well Maintained

While it is true that dealerships are the first to be notified about technical problems with your vehicle, these service bulletins can be accessed online within a few days of their release. This means your local mechanic will know everything that the dealership mechanic knows.

If you have ever called your dealer and tried to get an appointment, you’ve probably been forced to choose a time and day that didn’t really work for you. Due to warranty repairs, dealers are rarely without work to perform, so they aren’t really concerned about getting or keeping your business.

Hong Kong Auto Service cannot afford to operate in such a manner. We care about keeping your business, so we often try to work around your schedule to make things easier for you.

Choosing Hong Kong Auto Service

At Hong Kong Auto Service, we pride ourselves on honesty and an honest relationship with our customers that fosters trust. This means that our mechanic will get to know your vehicle, and you, on a personal level. We will remember that you just changed that battery a year ago and double-check the alternator and voltage regulator while taking a few minutes to see if there is a draw on the battery, or if the battery is just plain bad.

We will tell you when a repair might be covered by your warranty. We will also tell you when an OEM part might be the better choice or show you how aftermarket parts can save you a bundle. We will do a more thorough inspection. Unfortunately, some (not all) dealers will be less than thorough because they make more on out-of-pocket repairs than they do on warranty repairs.

Talk to the pros at Hong Kong Auto Service. We will be happy to answer all your questions regarding maintenance and which items your vehicle really needs. Our trusted technicians know what your car needs and what items can wait a while.

When it comes down to it, you really can’t go wrong by choosing a qualified independent repair shop like Hong Kong Auto Service. We employ ASE-Certified mechanics, and we never forget that we are working for you, the consumer, not the car manufacturer.

Call us today for an appointment, schedule online, or drop by to discuss your vehicle’s needs. Give us a chance to earn your business!

For expert advice outside of your dealership, call us at Hong Kong Auto Service. We’re happy to answer your questions: (847) 251-0300.