What is Value?
Is it when something is the cheapest? Or is it what you get for your money? When it comes to the automotive industry, here are some things to consider:
- What are you giving up for a shop to do things cheaper?
- Are the technicians experienced professionals that are properly compensated with ongoing education or just learning through trial and error on your vehicle?
- Does the shop carry garage liability insurance just in case something happens?
- Do they use the most up to date technology and information sources for keep up with the ever-changing industry?
- Do they use the best quality parts or the cheapest they can buy?
- How long is their warranty on their work?
- Do they go above and beyond with services like shuttle service, loaner cars, service reminders, comfortable waiting room?
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does it mean if my "check engine" or "service engine soon" light comes on? There are many sensors and computerized components that manage your vehicle's engine performance and emissions. When one of these fails, the "check engine" light is illuminated. Although your car may seem to run fine, it is important to have the issue addressed to prevent long-term problems.
- How do I make sure my car battery has a good electrical connection? Battery cables and terminals should be cleaned and inspected periodically to make sure they provide a good electrical connection.
- When should I change my spark plugs? For maximum fuel economy and peak engine performance, your spark plugs should be replaced every 30 months or 30,000 miles, unless your vehicle is equipped with 100,000-mile platinum tipped spark plugs.
- How often should I rotate my tires? Your tires should be rotated every other oil change, or every 6000 miles. Neglecting to rotate tires is a major cause of premature tire wear.
- Is it really necessary to replace my timing belt at the recommended interval? YES. The failure of a timing belt in many cars can result in major engine damage. The cost of repairing an engine with a broken timing belt is much greater than the cost of a timing belt replacement.
- What should I do if my car starts to overheat? This is a very serious problem - if your car overheats for too long, you can damage your engine. As soon as possible, find a safe place to pull off the road and shut the engine off! Do not attempt to check the fluid level in the radiator; the hot fluid can cause severe burns. The best thing to do is have your car towed to Precision Auto Repair.
- When should I get my oil changed? You should get your oil changed every 3000 miles or as recommended in your vehicle's owner's manual.
- Why is engine oil milky brown? Milky brown engine oil is an indication of coolant in the oil. This can be caused by a blown head gasket (or other gasket), a failed transmission cooler, or cracked casings. This condition is very serious and needs to be checked by a professional technician immediately.
- Should I consider using synthetic motor oil in my vehicle? Synthetic motor oils can be a good choice for high output, turbocharged or supercharged engines. Or for vehicles that are used for towing (especially during hot weather), and vehicles that operate in extremely cold or hot climates. Although more expensive than mineral-based oils, synthetic motor oils can improve fuel economy and provide longer intervals between changes.
- When should I replace my car's fuel filter? To help ensure dependable, trouble-free performance, replace your car's fuel filter approximately every 30,000 miles or as recommended in your vehicle's owner's manual.
- I need to replace a burned out fuse, what should I do? Always replace burned-out fuses with ones of the same amperage (printed on the fuse) and note that if a fuse continues to "blow," you should have the circuit checked professionally by one of our technicians for defects.