AutoTips What your shop should know about your car.

Taking your car in for a problem?

Some problems are easier to find, for example, "My car won't start", can probably be diagnosed fairly easily, but some are not as easy -"it's broken, fix it", or "Sometimes my car runs really rough, but it isn't now. Can you have it fixed when I get back in an hour?" For additional info on finding and dealing with a repair shop see the links below.

One shop owner said he likes for the customer to bring a list of what symptoms are to be fixed, including any related observations. If your car runs rough, makes a noise, shakes, etc., but not all the time, such a list may be an appropriate aid to the mechanic. Is it totally random, or is it only under certain conditions? Some examples of possible kinds of information that may assist an auto technician follow.

Does the problem occur

All the time?
Did it start all at once, or has it been gradually getting worse?
How long has it this been a problem?
Only when the outside temperature is above ____ or below ____
When it starts in the morning, but not after driving a few miles?
Only when it rains or in damp weather?
If you keep your car in a garage.
For all drivers?
Only when driving up hills or down?
Only when the fuel gets low, or full?
Have you or someone else attempted to find or fix the problem?
Have you made any changes, such as where you buy fuel, how far you drive each day, etc?
Is it associated with any unusual noises?
Any other repairs or service about the time the problem started, that seem unrelated?
Is it associated with using any accessories, such as the air conditioning? (Or the new 500 watt CB, or the 1,500 watt stereo system you just installed?)
When was the last time the vehicle was serviced, and for what?
What routine maintenance do you do, and how often?

Computers in cars have become more sophisticated, and can help isolate problems, however, they can't diagnose everything. A little help from the customer can aid an experienced technician track down a problem and keep repair time and costs down. It can also help the technician check to be sure the problem is corrected under the conditions in which you observe it. This does not mean you should try to diagnose the problem for the technician, just give the best explanation of what you are observing and how this is different than you expect.

For more information on finding a good shop and how to work with them check ASE-Tips for Motorists and Salem Boys Auto. (See numerous informative articles under Frequently Asked Questions on service.)

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