The following letter was published recently in the Vancouver Sun. The letter is from a licensed mechanic offering customers tips on how to receive better service when bringing their car or truck in for work. While some of the items are common sense (not that we practice them, however) other things like tipping may not occur to you.
At a time when it seems like the consuemr is in the so-called driver's seat, having plenty of new car dealership vs. independent garage choices, having a mechanic tell it like it is comes as a refreshing change.
As a licensed mechanic, I hope you can use this information in a future column. Here are some dos and don'ts for customers when bringing a vehicle in for servicing.
- When arriving at the shop, don't block any bay doors. If there's a car in the bay, the mechanic may be about to take the car out. If the bay is empty, the mechanic may be on a road test and will need that bay.
- See the service advisers in the office instead of just wandering into the shop area to ask, "Can I get my car looked at?"
- If possible, leave the car -- especially overnight if it's in a difficult-to-start condition.
Also, many newer vehicles need engines cold to minimize the risk of stripping threads when removing spark plugs. Not to mention the cramped engine compartments we have to work in -- and not burning ourselves.
- Turn off your car alarm and stereo. Chances are slim someone will steal your car while it's parked in front of the shop office. We're trained to listen for noises on startup, and we don't enjoy being scared half to death by loud music.
- Clean the inside of the car. Overflowing ashtrays and old fast-food containers, among other things, can give a car unpleasant odours, especially when we're working in the dash area.
- If your car has locking wheels or hubcaps, give the tool to the service adviser or leave it in a conspicuous area. Most of the time it's kept in the glove box, but it's a waste of our time to try to find it while it's wrapped in a paper towel or in a plastic box or behind the panel in the trunk.
- We're happy to bring you into the shop to show you the problem, but it is not a place to be while your car is being worked on. Shops can be bustling places, and if it's a big shop, many techs are working with others, moving from the car to tool boxes and equipment, tire machines, and so on. We wear safety equipment for a reason.
To be blunt, if you're in the bay, you're in the way. Shops can get dirty and cluttered, and the possibility of injury is there especially if you're in our way and not wearing the proper safety equipment. Modern shops have comfortable waiting areas and TV. Some have toys for children.
- Which brings up the kids: Leave them at home, if possible. They can get cranky in the waiting area if the job is long, or they can play a bit rough. Service advisers can't deal with their cries and screams while trying to make estimates or talk to parts suppliers or customers on the phone.
- Tip us. You'll tip a pizza delivery man or the barber. Why not the mechanic who either did a good job, or that little extra without being asked, like trying to make a belt squeal go away?
- We're trained to check things on your car. One example is front-end components. Don't get angry and suggest we're crooks for pointing out worn or even dangerous items on your car. Sure, we want the work, but we want to keep your car safe, too. If you can't get the repairs done right away, just say so, but ask if the car can be safely driven until you can get back to the shop.
Oh, we've heard all the excuses, too. The biggest ones are "I'm selling it in three months" (six months later that same car is in for service, and we're still pointing out the same things it needs), "it's only my wife's car" (hope she has good life insurance, driving around with worn tires or tie rods) or "I don't drive it on the highway" (so that worn part can let go while you're aiming toward a group of kids waiting for their school bus).
- If you're in the market for a new or used car, get your mechanic's opinion. That magazine article about the car you're interested in can tell you all kinds of things the reviewer liked about his or her test drive, but we see these cars when they're a few years old and what happens to them. Trust us: There are certain cars to avoid, and we know them. Also, if there's no dealer in the area for the car you're thinking of buying, there could be a problem with parts availability.
- Today's cars can be extremely complicated. Trying to troubleshoot what looks like a simple repair can involve tracing electrical circuits, testing electronic modules and spending time at a computer, researching service bulletins, printing wiring diagrams, and the like.
- Expect to leave the car and pay for appropriate diagnostic time. Give us all the information you can about the problem. What speed does it happen at? Cold or warmed up? Is it there all the time? Did the check engine light come on when it happened?
I could go on and on, but in closing, I'd like to thank you for your time. Obviously, I hope you'll put your own spin on this, and add your own comments.
A concerned technician
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