A car is a necessity in most parts of the country, so when your car breaks down, you need to get it back up and running as soon as possible; otherwise, it will put a big damper on your everyday life.
But what if you’re having car problems and the mechanic can’t seem to fix them, it can be incredibly stressful. You don’t want to spend thousands of dollars repairing the problem, but your car needs to be fixed. It’s a difficult situation: what do you do?
Here are a few ways on what to do when you already checked out the best mechanic in town but your car is still not running.
Helpful Tips When Dealing with a Mechanic
Maintenance on your vehicle may seem like a mystery because you’re not exactly sure where to start or what to do. Whether you’re going DIY or not, there are some things you need to know before heading out to the shop.
Here are some helpful tips to do when dealing with a technician so you have the best chances of getting your car fixed.
Communicate Properly
It is equally important that a mechanic has all relevant information from their customer to properly diagnose a vehicle. Without this information, it will be virtually impossible for a mechanic to make repairs and get your vehicle back on the road on time.
Set Realistic Expectations
If you’re getting a dealership to do the work, be prepared for trusting your car to them until it is fixed (it may take longer if they need to order parts). Dealerships, compared to independent shops, have overhead that is higher and thus they can afford to charge more. Their technicians will also be well-trained and consider their time and effort into the cost of auto repair. Our best advice is always to get an estimated cost before proceeding to the repair.
Tidy Up Your Car
Cleaning your car before taking it in for service will not only make you look better, it will help the technician view your vehicle with a clearer mind.
If you leave personal items in your car, an auto mechanic may need to remove them to access a part or perform a specific repair. Also, if these items are heavy or bulky, they could weigh down the vehicle enough that its performance is affected.
Devote Your Time When Needed
When scheduling repairs at a shop, leave a phone number where you can be reached, and be sure to respond promptly if the technician needs to speak with you. If your car sits unattended for too long while waiting for approval on the repair, you may experience delays in the repair process.
Leave the Work to the Technician
If necessary, don’t linger around when your technician is working on your car. Some mechanics may don’t want people hovering around while they’re doing their job.
Talking to the mechanic all the time is also distracting and can be dangerous. You can go on your day and let the professional do the job.
Solutions When a Mechanic Can’t Fix Your Car
Ask Another Mechanic
Many times, giving the car to different mechanic is the first thing that comes to mind when a problem arises. Just remember that you’re not alone. Others are experiencing the same issue and other experts may know how to fix it. Although this isn’t a surefire solution, it’s definitely not the end of the line.
Getting a second opinion will always give you a more objective view of your vehicle and what needs to be done to get it back on the road. It’s always been good to ask other experts’ perspectives on the problem.
If you already consulted three or four mechanics and they expressed the same opinions, then it is a good start to keep moving to your next steps.
Research Possible Solutions on the Internet
To repair a car, there are many resources for you to use. The internet is one of the best places to look for information.
If you’re wondering which specific resources to look up to, these suggestions are for you!
Standard Repair Manual
Car repair manuals might seem a little boring, but they can provide the valuable information you need to repair your car to its full potential. This book will have you on your way to reaching the goal of repairing your vehicle.
It contains some information, tests to run on components, wiring diagrams, and some very basic how-to’s. The manual also includes additional information and fixes as you encounter them along the way.
Scan Tools
One of the best tools to look into is scan tools. Using a tool like this is a great way to save yourself time, money, and aggravation. There are many different scan tools out there and even some that use different protocols to communicate with the car’s computers.
Some scans you can do yourself like pulling codes in a non-faulting system. But other times you will need someone with training or a computer with high-priced software to make changes to the computer or run tests.
The tests are not the end-all-be-all of solutions, but they can give some ideas on where to go next.
Technical Service Bulletins
From time to time, car manufacturers will generate “Technical Service Bulletins” (or TSBs) that will list issues they have identified with their products. Oftentimes, these bulletins are released in order to help fix a problem that the manufacturer has identified in the field without having to go through the recall process.
Technical service bulletins are meant to help mechanics or car owners become more familiar with issues that are occurring on various car models. These bulletins will often include tips on how to diagnose or repair issues that you may come across.
Tech Tips
A tech tip can be brief and to the point. They are typically not a complete troubleshooting method or repair procedure but they do give the technician an alternative approach to repairing a particular condition.
Tech tips should be used in conjunction with full technical service bulletins (TSB) as not every issue you encounter will be covered in a TSB.
Tried all of the above but still, you can’t get a clear solution to your car problem? Then go for Google. There are a lot of smart people posting blogs that share helpful info on the web.
Just be patient to search for specific details about your car’s issue.
When All Else Fails, Contact Us
While there are many solutions out there to get your car up and running if a mechanic can’t fix it, eventually, you’ll run out of options. You don’t need to abandon your car completely, though!
At Cash Auto Salvage, we’re here to buy your car no matter what condition it’s in. We’ll give you an instant offer, and the cash you receive can go towards your next car purchase or whatever else you need it for. Contact us and get your offer today.
