by: Chris Lontok
Car repair procedures like auto AC repair, brakes repair, transmission repair and engine repair can add up to represent a huge expense in any vehicle owner’s budget. If they are done frequently and successively, a vehicle owner can deplete his savings. A vehicle owner can, however, scale down the need for undue and recurring car repairs by strictly complying with the required automotive diagnostic and maintenance procedures laid out by the vehicle manufacturer. With this one
simple step, therefore, a vehicle owner can already realize significant cost cutting and savings. In this time of economic problems, any means to cut costs and gain savings would indeed be very welcome.
As a vehicle owner you can save even more by learning how to do several of the basic maintenance procedures by yourself. This way you will not always have to depend on the paid services of your auto service mechanic. Of course, you do not have to completely let go of your trusted auto service mechanic. In fact, there are a lot more automotive diagnostic and maintenance procedures and car repair jobs that are way beyond the layman’s capabilities and are best left to the skills and expertise of professional mechanics. These will surely arise despite all your best efforts at proper and timely maintenance. No vehicle can totally avoid car repair because any machine undergoes normal wear and tear even with the most careful use. Having a trusted highly skilled auto service mechanic is the means to get proper automotive diagnostic and maintenance procedures and car repair when needed.
It is expected that each and every responsible vehicle owner has thoroughly read through the vehicle’s owner’s manual. All the basic things that should be known about the vehicle and its use and care are in this document. Although it is not necessary for the owner to memorize the manual, it should be kept safe and easily accessible because it will be needed very often as reference material. All the automotive maintenance procedures required by the manufacturer are spelled out in the manual, along with the proper calibrations, schedules and frequencies. Strictly complying with all those specifications will keep the vehicle in optimum running condition for a longer service life.
With day to day use, it is the responsibility of the vehicle owner to observe and take note of any strange noise, weird odor, vibration or leak from the vehicle because these are the first signs of vehicular problems. These should be promptly reported to the auto service mechanic regularly handling the vehicle. Some signs are to be considered as emergencies, though. For example, if smoke is seen coming from the vehicle, it should immediately be pulled over and the engine should be turned off before calling for assistance.
When taking the vehicle to the auto service mechanic for a diagnostic check up, the vehicle owner should require an official written report that explains the problems found and the recommended repair solutions. His should be accompanied by an official written quotation which contains a detailed listing of the services to be provided and parts to be replaced along with their respective costs. The time schedule for the entire job should also be specified.
A vehicle owner already expects to spend for auto AC repair, brakes repair, transmission repair, engine repair or any other car repair at some point in time. These can be accommodated in the budget as long as they do not occur too frequently and successively. With the right automotive diagnostics and maintenance procedures in partnership with a reliable professional auto service shop, these car repair procedures will be kept at reasonable frequencies.
