How to find a qualified auto technician: If an auto mechanic … it’s time to run for the hills

Having an auto repair shop you can trust is almost as important as having a family doctor you can trust. There are many auto mechanics who are highly reputable, trustworthy and skilled in repairing your car, truck or SUV. There are also auto mechanics who are anything but trustworthy. Some of these simply don’t know what they’re doing and others know, all-too well, how to use their knowledge to fleece you out of your hard-earned money.

The worst part about an untrustworthy auto mechanic is that, while you’re giving them money they haven’t earned, they’re leaving you with a car that isn’t properly repaired or maintained. In some cases, they may leave you driving a car, truck or SUV that is downright dangerous to drive.

So, how do you distinguish the good auto mechanic from the bad; how do you avoid bringing your car, truck or SUV to an auto repair shop where you’ll wind up holding the short end of the stick?

Here are some tips to consider when choosing an auto repair shop:

What is their demeanor? Do you feel you’re being pressured? Are they defensive when you question them about the repairs or service they’ve recommended? Quality auto repair mechanics understand that there is plenty of work to do if they have a good reputation and if they put the interests of their customers first. There is no need for them to pressure someone to have a service done. Keep in mind, however, that, if it’s a matter of safety, a qualified mechanic may express him or herself emphatically when encouraging you to have a particular service done. However, they should be able to thoroughly explain why it is crucial that your car, truck or SUV have this service done now.
Is their reputation tarnished? Do some due diligence before you bring your vehicle to an auto repair shop. This involves a little research. See what prior and current customers have to say about the auto repair services they provide. Every auto repair shop may have that one customer they just can’t satisfy. That person may have falsely labeled an auto repair shop with blame they don’t deserve. But, if there are frequent negative comments about an auto repair shop, that’s probably something you can take to heart. Take that to heart and take your car, truck or SUV somewhere else.
Are they invested in their business? Someone who spends the money to build, buy or rent a substantial auto repair shop, and then fill it with the latest auto repair tools and equipment can hardly risk that kind of investment on a bad reputation. And, if they’ve been around for a while, they probably have proven themselves to some extent (still investigate their reputation online).
Do they stand behind their service? Do they offer warranties? Keep in mind, if they’re not an established auto repair shop, their warranty may not be worth the paper it’s written on. What is their reputation on responding to customers’ concerns and complaints?
Are their auto mechanics certified? Auto repair has advanced far from the days when back-yard mechanics were common place. Today, a qualified auto mechanic is backed up by a dedicated education so that they know what makes newer cars tick, how to use the tools and equipment required to repair and maintain all types of cars, trucks and SUVs, and, just as importantly, they’ve kept their certifications up to date.
Do they save the parts they replace for you? No, you don’t have to take that old muffler home when the mechanic replaces it. However, by law in Illinois, an auto repair shop must give you the option of keeping the parts they’ve taken off your car. Even if you don’t want those old parts, it’s a good idea that they’re willing to let you see the parts they’ve replaced. If they’re not willing to do that, and follow the law, that’s a big sign to worry about trusting them.

Once you’ve found an auto repair shop you can trust, stay engaged enough so that you can tell if the culture of trustworthiness somehow changes. But, otherwise, if you find a good one, don’t let them get away. And, if you find a bad auto repair shop, run the other way.

Is your antifreeze safe from freezing this Richmond winter

You still have time to have it checked Well, there’s no denying it – winter tends to get chilly here in Richmond. We have to deal with snow and ice on the roads, scraping the same off our windows and windshield, and staying warm while we drive. Of course, you had your antifreeze checked before winter rolled into town. What?! You didn’t have your antifreeze checked before winter clamped down on Richmond? So, how’s your antifreeze doing? If you haven’t had it checked, there’s really no way of knowing, is there? This car has overheated in the middle of a Richmond winter. But, on the other end of the spectrum, the antifreeze can also freeze if it's not up to its job. Hopefully, you haven’t had a serious problem with your antifreeze already. If you did, you’d probably know. When antifreeze fails, it’s a potentially catastrophic condition for your vehicle’s engine. You could have hoses that have burst because of freezing antifreeze. Worse than that, your engine block may have crac...

Blocks of ice falling from cars in McHenry could cause accidents or damage

We’ve all seen those blocks of snow falling from behind the rear tires of a car when the snow rolls into McHenry . Fortunately, they’re just packed snow that will disintegrate under your vehicle’s tires as you simply drive right through them, right? Don’t count on it. Those blocks of snow are often packed so tight, condensed by the thaw-and-freeze cycle, that they’re anything but oversized snowballs . They’re often more like boulders. Hit one of those blocks and the collision between the block and one of your tires could send you careening off the road or into oncoming traffic. In some cases, they’re so solid you could pound them with a sledgehammer with little effect. They truly can represent a serious road hazard. The problem is that it’s difficult to tell how solidly they’re packed when you see them on the road, left their unwittingly by another driver. Either way, your best bet is to try to avoid them. But you want to be careful dodging blocks of ice in the road, too. You need...

Get out to McHenry Music Festival for a good time and music near to home

Some folks here in McHenry will load up the car and head out to Red Rock Amphitheater near Denver to see a show. Some will go to the MSG Sphere near Las Vegas. Some will go to the Bonaroo Festival Concert to see a show. That’s quite a bit of driving and you’d better make sure your vehicle is up to the trip. What happens, however, if something goes wrong – if your vehicle breaks down while driving there or back? What happens if the show is canceled, as happened this year with the Bonaroo Festival? We’re talking about some serious inconvenience, aren’t we? Wherever you go, whether your driving to Colorado, Nevada, Tennessee or anywhere else in this continent, you want to perform your due diligence and make sure the vehicle is up for the trip before you go. And it doesn’t really matter if you’re driving somewhere to see some live music or for any other purpose. A breakdown can be costly and may put you at the mercy of weather conditions or nefarious characters that come across you while y...

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