Tips for Auto Maintenance Crystal Lake IL

A visit to the repair shop can feel like a visit to a foreign country if you don't have good communication with your service advisor or mechanic. You need to understand any questions they ask, as well as the details of any problems they find, in order to make appropriate decisions about what repairs to authorize on your vehicle. Here are some tips to help ensure solid communication, whether you are bringing your vehicle in for regular maintenance or a major repair.

Local Companies

Crystal Lake Brake & Auto
(815) 455-3587
154 S Virginia St
Crystal Lake, IL
Quality Auto Service
(815) 455-6090
650 W Terra Cotta Ave
Crystal Lake, IL
Douglas Automotive
(815) 356-0440
Crystal Lake, IL
Firestone Complete Auto Care
(815) 444-9465
6325 Northwest Hwy
Crystal Lake, IL
Mac's Auto Service Inc
(815) 356-7010
4410 US Highway 14
Crystal Lake, IL
Mike's Service Center Inc
(815) 459-1040
261 Liberty Rd
Crystal Lake, IL
Auto Tech
(815) 459-7300
Virginia & Rt 14
Crystal Lake, IL
Car Care Center of Crystal Lake
(815) 459-8434
4410 US Highway 14
Crystal Lake, IL
Midas Auto Service Experts
(815) 455-3540
260 W Virginia St
Crystal Lake, IL
Vetteran Automotive
(815) 455-6565
7218 Teckler Blvd
Crystal Lake, IL

A visit to the repair shop can feel like a visit to a foreign country if you don't have good communication with your service advisor or mechanic. You need to understand any questions they ask, as well as the details of any problems they find, in order to make appropriate decisions about what repairs to authorize on your vehicle. Here are some tips to help ensure solid communication, whether you are bringing your vehicle in for regular maintenance or a major repair.

The maintenance visit
Before you schedule a visit for regular maintenance, such as a 30,000-mile service, check your owner's manual to see what work is recommended by the manufacturer. Then, call your shop and ask for an estimate on that service, along with a list of the items that are included in their fee. Compare the list against what is recommended in your owner's manual.

It is sometimes common for a shop to suggest items that are above and beyond what your owner's manual lists, but this does not necessarily mean they are trying to convince you to purchase additional services. The "extras" may be important to the health of your vehicle. For example, many manufacturers recommend oil changes at 5,000-mile intervals and sometimes even longer, such as every 7,500 miles. A mechanic, however, may recommend changing the oil about 2,000 miles sooner than the manufacturer recommends. This is a realistic recommendation for some driving situations, especially if most of your driving is around town versus on the highway, or if you frequently use your vehicle for towing (both conditions fall under the heading of "severe operating conditions"). If the shop is suggesting something beyond what you think is reasonable, ask your advisor about it, then assess the costs involved before deciding if you want those services.

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