How many of these hidden secrets about car repairs did you know about?
Have you ever felt like there was a hidden world of secrets about car repairs lurking behind the grease-stained curtains of the auto repair shop?
Well, buckle up because we’re about to peel back those layers and expose the truth! In today’s post, Urban Cars Blog is diving deep into the secret realm of car maintenance, revealing the secrets about car repairs your mechanic doesn’t want you to know.
From insider trade tricks to sneaky fees, we want to give you the knowledge to navigate the repair shop confidently without ever being scammed again.
So, if you’ve ever felt like you’re being kept in the dark about what’s going on under the hood of your car, you’ve come to the right place. Get ready to take control of your car like never before with the 12 hidden secrets about car repairs!
Things often get overlooked
If the mechanic who’s doing maintenance on your car is under a time crunch, they might only get to some things. Smaller tasks might get neglected or forgotten entirely, like latching mechanisms and lubricating door hinges. This is one of the biggest secrets about car repairs.
A car mechanic cautions that if tasks like these aren’t completed, it doesn’t affect performance at that moment, but it can over time. You should ask to confirm that even the most minor tasks have been taken care of before you drive away.
Ask many questions
When going to a mechanic, one of the biggest secrets about car repairs is to ask for warranties offered, recommendations, how many years in business they have, licenses, and the type of equipment they use.
Remember to look around for a clean garage. A floor that’s cluttered with worn tires, empty oil cans, and dirty rags is a red flag that you should find a new mechanic.
Scam alert!
When searching for mechanics, make sure you weed out the scams. Transmission flushes are one of the biggest examples going around right now.
Here’s one of the biggest secrets about car repairs: First, manufacturers don’t recommend them. Plus your car almost never requires one.
You can probably ignore the check engine light for now… don’t ignore it forever.
The check engine light tends to strike fear in the hearts of inexperienced owners. But it usually just implies a non-serious problem with the vehicle’s exhaust system. You can generally ignore it unless, of course, you have an old car whose emission components could be worn out.
You can’t ignore it forever, though. A trip to the mechanic is warranted at some point. But your vehicle isn’t going to blow up if you wait. There’s one exception to this rule: if the check engine light is flashing, you need to get to a mechanic as soon as possible.
Know the tools of the trade
It’s a bit crazy to take a vehicle with engine problems to a shop without a good scan tool and engine analyzer on hand. If a car mechanic tells you: “I don’t need all that fancy equipment,” go someplace else. This is another one of the biggest secrets about car repairs.
You can buff out little scratches yourself
This is less about the mechanic and more about the body shop itself. Ever been to a good body shop? While car repair places can be classic grease pits, body shops are usually temples of tidiness and organization.
That’s because simply walking in the door usually costs about $1,000. One reader told us that he once owned a Mazda with a small dent that he decided to have a body shop deal with. It cost him around $1,200.
He fixed the dents on all his other cars and did a few touch-ups on the scratches and scuffs. You don’t get professional-grade work, but the results turn out OK. And if you’re still unhappy, your mechanic will gladly refer you to a good body shop.
Ignore costly gimmicks
Coolant and power steering flushes are typical gimmicks you’ll find at quick lubes. Be sure to check your owner’s manual before you fall for this one. Here’s another one of the biggest secrets about car repairs: Many cars have fluid that’s designed to go 100,000 miles.
Also, cleaning fuel injectors is a waste of money AND time. There are additives on the market that do a great job.
You can change the oil yourself
Dealing with an oil change on your own isn’t all that difficult. An oil change is to a skilled mechanic, what making omelets is to a talented chef… something of an insult. That being said, oil changes are the most common maintenance requirement for cars.
You can buy a kit on Amazon or at an auto store for less than $40, while having a mechanic do it will run you somewhere around $75. Oil changes are easy money for dealers and repair shops.
So not only will they steer you toward them, but they’ll support the “every 3,000 miles” standard, even though modern oil can last much longer, with some synthetics requiring a change every 10,000-20,000 miles.
You CAN stick to the 3,000-mile schedule, and to be honest, exact oil changes in certain cars can help with resale value down the road, as some buyers want records before buying a car.
But, if you don’t mind getting a bit dirty and properly getting rid of the used oil, an oil change twice a year is the best DIY option.
Check your tires
If you’re buying new tires, don’t miss out on one of the biggest secrets about car repairs: Ask about their “build date.” If you’re getting an unusually good deal on them, you could be getting three-year-old treads, which is very risky for snow tires.
When should you go?
If you need to take your car to a mechanic, here’s one of the biggest secrets about car repairs: you should go early in the workweek.
Whatever you do, do NOT take in your car on Friday afternoon, because the mechanics might rush the job so they can leave earlier for the weekend.
You can do your own brake job
Once you begin changing your oil, you should consider doing your own brake jobs, too. This is one of the biggest secrets about car repairs that mechanics usually prefer to avoid talking about because changing rotors and brake pads for them is a breeze.
It’s effortless to do but takes a while. So, the labor costs bring in a serious amount of extra money. You can do it yourself, but it’s both dirty and tricky, not to mention a bit exhausting if you don’t have a repair shop hydraulic lift.
Using a jack will take a few hours, and that’s if you don’t experience any issues and only deal with swapping worn brake pads. Do it once, though, and you may want to do it yourself forever.
Don’t let yourself get overcharged
Finally, you should know that one of the most important secrets about car repairs is that a good mechanic will do the work you agreed on upon and only overcharges if they find something severe while doing the agreed-upon repair and update you first.
A mechanic sticking to the profession’s code would never subject a customer to surprise sticker shock. And while we’re on this subject, always ask for your old parts back. This way, you’ll know they’ve been changed, and you or someone you know can tell if they’re worn.
What do you think of the biggest secrets about car repairs? Is there anything else you’d like added to our list? Be sure to let our readers know in the comments section below!
And if you found this post helpful, we think you might also like: 8 Easy Fuel Cost Reduction Tips to Put Money BACK in Your Pocket
