Tips for Auto Maintenance San Antonio TX

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

Maaco Collision Repair & Auto Painting
210-314-2560
11300 North IH35
San Antonio, TX
Osbaldo Flores Auto Repair
(210) 681-0820
8085 Potranco Rd
San Antonio, TX
A T Automotive
(210) 734-2050
950 W Hildebrand Ave
San Antonio, TX
Acdelco
(210) 490-0086
13827 San Pedro Ave
San Antonio, TX
Lhj Auto Repair & Tire Shop
(210) 927-5545
9416 Poteet Jourdanton FW
San Antonio, TX
Low Cost Auto Repair
(210) 922-0007
1707 E Chavaneaux Rd
San Antonio, TX
Acdelco
(210) 479-1901
14630 Blanco Rd
San Antonio, TX
Firestone Complete Auto Care
(210) 921-9444
2415 Pleasanton Rd
San Antonio, TX
Dobbdodge Auto Center
(210) 558-3535
7310 Hausman Rd W
San Antonio, TX
Pep Boys Automotive Supercenters
(210) 680-1675
7680 Bandera Rd
San Antonio, TX

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.

Click here to read the rest of the article at JDPower.com

Featured Local Company

Maaco Collision Repair & Auto Painting

210-314-2560
11300 North IH35
San Antonio, TX

Related Local Events
South Texas International Motorcycle Show
Dates: 3/19/2010 - 3/10/2010
Location: Freeman Coliseum, San Antonio
San Antonio, TX
View Details

Institute of Transportation Engineers - ITE 2009 Annual Meeting and Exposition
Dates: 8/9/2009 - 8/12/2009
Location: Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center
San Antonio, TX
View Details

Rss   Delicious   Digg   Add To My Yahoo   Add To My Google   Bookmark   Search Plugin

Topics:
Advertising Family Home Services Real Estate Resources
Business Services Fashion Industrial Goods & Services Retail & Consumer Services
Career Financial Services Insurance Software
Cars Food & Beverage Internet Technology
Computer Hardware Franchise Legal Telecommunications
Construction Health Miscellaneous Trade Shows
Education Holidays Nightlife Travel
Entertainment Home Appliances Online Database Weddings
Environmental Home Electronics Pets World History