Every car owner should understand the importance of keeping up with scheduled car maintenance.  Unfortunately too many of us forget about it until it may be too late. So, find trusted Phoenix auto repair shops today to help you understand your car’s maintenance requirements and warranties.

In a previous blog Unlocking The Mystery Of Auto Repair Charges, we worked on understanding how auto repair shops charge for their services, written estimates, and different types of replacement parts.  Now we will discuss preventive car maintenance and warranties and what to do if you still feel you didn’t get what you paid for.

Preventive Maintenance

Car maintenance (your first line of defense in avoiding costly breakdowns and repairs) is the surest way of extending the life of your vehicle and lessening the cost and frequency of major repairs.

• Many parts on your vehicle are interrelated. Ignoring maintenance can lead to trouble: specific parts – or an entire system – can fail. Neglecting even simple routine maintenance, such as changing the oil or checking the coolant, can lead to poor fuel economy, unreliability, or costly breakdowns. It also may invalidate your warranty.

What maintenance guidelines should I follow to avoid costly repairs?

• Follow the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule in your owner’s manual which calls for more frequent servicing than the manufacturer’s recommendations. Compare shop maintenance schedules with those recommended in your owner’s manual. Ask your auto repair shop to explain – and make sure you understand – why it recommends service beyond the recommended schedule.

Protecting Your Auto Repair Investment

What warranties and service contracts apply to vehicle repairs

• There is no “standard warranty” on repairs. Make sure you understand what is covered under your warranty and get it in writing.
• Be aware that warranties may be subject to limitations, including time, mileage, deductibles, businesses authorized to perform warranty work or special procedures required to obtain reimbursement.
• Check with the Federal Trade Commission or your state or local consumer protection agency for information about your warranty rights.
• Service Contracts
• Many vehicle dealers and others sell optional contracts – service contracts – issued by vehicle manufacturers or independent companies. Not all service contracts are the same; prices vary and usually are negotiable. To help decide whether to purchase a service contract, consider:
• Its cost.
• The repairs to be covered.
• Whether coverage overlaps coverage provided by any other warranty.
• The deductible.
• Where the repairs are to be performed.
• Are there special procedures required to file a claim, such as prior authorization for specific repairs or meeting required vehicle maintenance schedules.
• Whether repair costs are paid directly by the company to the repair shop or whether you will have to pay first and get reimbursed.
• The reputation of the service contract company. Check it out with your state Attorney General’s office or local consumer protection agency.

How do I resolve a dispute regarding billing, quality of repairs or warranties?

• Document all transactions as well as your experiences with dates, times, expenses, and the names of people you dealt with.
• Talk to the owner or shop manager first. If that doesn’t work, contact your Attorney General or local consumer protection agency for help. These offices may have information on alternative dispute resolution programs in your community. Another option is to file a claim in small claims court. You don’t need an attorney to do this.
• Look for shops that are members of services that help resolve your complaints—like the Better Business Bureau or NARPRO.com.  Independent auto repair shops that voluntarily submit to evaluation and certification by third-party organizations are usually those that value their reputations and make every effort to keep the customer satisfied – after all, their livelihood is at stake and they survive and thrive on repeat business and referrals.

Alan Tarr is the Executive Director of NARPRO which searches out the best, independent auto repair shops and, if they meet our 26 standards for expertise, integrity and customer satisfaction, lists them on NARPRO.com.