Brads Newsletter
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| ************************************* Brads Auto Repair Newsletter *********************************** Today's issue contains Featured Article: "Tips for Talking to an Auto Mechanic" Brought to you by: Nadine Amore - Editor ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ A. Urgent News flash! ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Getting Personal with your Auto ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Sincerely, -Nadine Amore Editor, Brads Auto Repair Newsletter ------------------------------------------------ Have Auto Repair Questions? \\\"Ask Brad\\\" Go to www.bradsautorepair.com ------------------------------------------------ |
What you had better know before you speak to an Auto-Mechanic
1).Know your vehicle! Knowing what you are discussing can go a long way when it comes time to having
your vehicle serviced .It not only better explains what is amiss with your auto,it also makes you appear
more knowledgeable,and that can help keep you from getting cheated.
Learn what Year your car is. This data can be found on the title to your car.The Make and Model are likewise
very important. This also can be found on the title.
2). Know your Engine size. Most automobiles have this imprinted on the engine. There is usually a sticker
under the hood giving you this information also. This can be valuable in getting a estimation for assorted
repairs like a Tune Up. This information will nearly always be needed. Speaking of engines, there is a
Check Engine light on your instrument cluster. This is just about always an emission problem or some
type of sensor. This does not mean your engine is going to blow up. Once this light comes on, it can be
read with a scanner, either by your auto-mechanic or anybody who possesses a scanner. These scanners
are sold in most automobile part stores. This will read a number that will tell what the trouble is.
3).Know your Tire sizing. This info can be retrieved right on the face of the tire. It is 3 sets of numbers
.Example: 205/75/15. You can likewise find out how much air goes in your tires. This info can also be found
on the side of your tires. This is printed in very small letters, therefore you will have to look for it. Knowing
this information first could assist you tremendously.
4).Study your Vehicle Manual. This offers you with a wealth of information about your individual automobile.
If you don't have it, then do some research. There's numerous info to be obtained right on the internet.
Perhaps you know somebody who can review the basics with you. You don't have to know the internal
workings of the engine, but you should know how to check your fluids, ie: Oil, Transmission Fluid, Brake
Fluid, Antifreeze, Power Steering fluid. This knowledge could be utilized to keep problems from occurring.
Incidentally, oil changes should be performed every 3,000 to 3,500 miles. Less if you travel a dusty road.
5).Know your vehicles Fluids. Whenever you have something leaking it will be to your benefit to recognise
what it is.Black thick fluid could be a possible Axle leak. Green or orange colored fluid could be an
Antifreeze leak. A brown color could be an oil leak.A red colored fluid could be a transmission leak
.Acquaint yourself with the different fluids your vehicle uses. Knowing this info yourself can help you from
being cheated. Mechanics are not so quick to pull a fast one on a customer who appears to know what
they're speaking about.
6).Know the sound of your vehicle. You drive it each day. You should recognize when it begins to make a
noise that wasn't there before. Recognising where the noise is coming from can help your mechanic
identify the problem. Where is the noise coming from? Is it a rattle, a whine, a knock, a squeal ? Does it
happen at a certain speed? Does it do it when the car is hot or when you just start out. Does it come from
the front or rear, left or right side? This info can also save time and money on the diagnosis.
7).Know your smells. Odors coming from the vehicle can be warning signs of trouble. If you have steam
coming from under the hood and a sweet smell, you could have a coolant leak. The smell of rubber
burning can be the sign of an electrical problem or a brake problem. A smell of sulfur similar to rotten eggs
can indicate a problem with the catalytic converter or exhaust system. These smells can help diagnose
your vehicles problem.
8).Knowing how your vehicle handles can also be an enormous help when describing trouble to your
auto-mechanic. Does it hesitate? Does it seem to be missing? Is it stalling? Is it vibrating? Does it have
difficulty accelerating up hills? These are all symptoms that can assist in determining the problem. Make
yourself well aware of how your vehicle performs and you'll recognize when something is amiss.
9).Once it is time to call the mechanic. By now you should have a enough knowledge of your vehicle and
you now know how to explain the problem to your mechanic. Now we can review our checklist. What is it
doing? Is it a noise, a smell? Where is it coming from? Inside the automobile, outside the automobile? Is it
on the left hand, right, underneath, in the rear, front? When does this take place? During braking, while the
car is sitting still, when it gets warmed up, when it is cold, going uphill, when shifting? How often does it
happen? Always?, Once in a while ? Does it do it while turning a corner? Which side? Give as much info as
you are able to and you will not only make it simpler and quicker for your mechanic to diagnose the
problem, you will know enough to keep from getting cheated.
10).Make it your mission to learn as much as you can about your vehicle. Knowledge equals Power! You
can search online, the library, friends, even family.
The more you know the better off you'll be. Once you pick up the basics, you'll be able to do some
preventive maintenance on your own. Matters like checking your fluids, maintaining the proper tire
pressure, checking your battery, will all help your vehicle in the long run. Be your vehicles ally and it will be
with you for a long time.
1).Know your vehicle! Knowing what you are discussing can go a long way when it comes time to having
your vehicle serviced .It not only better explains what is amiss with your auto,it also makes you appear
more knowledgeable,and that can help keep you from getting cheated.
Learn what Year your car is. This data can be found on the title to your car.The Make and Model are likewise
very important. This also can be found on the title.
2). Know your Engine size. Most automobiles have this imprinted on the engine. There is usually a sticker
under the hood giving you this information also. This can be valuable in getting a estimation for assorted
repairs like a Tune Up. This information will nearly always be needed. Speaking of engines, there is a
Check Engine light on your instrument cluster. This is just about always an emission problem or some
type of sensor. This does not mean your engine is going to blow up. Once this light comes on, it can be
read with a scanner, either by your auto-mechanic or anybody who possesses a scanner. These scanners
are sold in most automobile part stores. This will read a number that will tell what the trouble is.
3).Know your Tire sizing. This info can be retrieved right on the face of the tire. It is 3 sets of numbers
.Example: 205/75/15. You can likewise find out how much air goes in your tires. This info can also be found
on the side of your tires. This is printed in very small letters, therefore you will have to look for it. Knowing
this information first could assist you tremendously.
4).Study your Vehicle Manual. This offers you with a wealth of information about your individual automobile.
If you don't have it, then do some research. There's numerous info to be obtained right on the internet.
Perhaps you know somebody who can review the basics with you. You don't have to know the internal
workings of the engine, but you should know how to check your fluids, ie: Oil, Transmission Fluid, Brake
Fluid, Antifreeze, Power Steering fluid. This knowledge could be utilized to keep problems from occurring.
Incidentally, oil changes should be performed every 3,000 to 3,500 miles. Less if you travel a dusty road.
5).Know your vehicles Fluids. Whenever you have something leaking it will be to your benefit to recognise
what it is.Black thick fluid could be a possible Axle leak. Green or orange colored fluid could be an
Antifreeze leak. A brown color could be an oil leak.A red colored fluid could be a transmission leak
.Acquaint yourself with the different fluids your vehicle uses. Knowing this info yourself can help you from
being cheated. Mechanics are not so quick to pull a fast one on a customer who appears to know what
they're speaking about.
6).Know the sound of your vehicle. You drive it each day. You should recognize when it begins to make a
noise that wasn't there before. Recognising where the noise is coming from can help your mechanic
identify the problem. Where is the noise coming from? Is it a rattle, a whine, a knock, a squeal ? Does it
happen at a certain speed? Does it do it when the car is hot or when you just start out. Does it come from
the front or rear, left or right side? This info can also save time and money on the diagnosis.
7).Know your smells. Odors coming from the vehicle can be warning signs of trouble. If you have steam
coming from under the hood and a sweet smell, you could have a coolant leak. The smell of rubber
burning can be the sign of an electrical problem or a brake problem. A smell of sulfur similar to rotten eggs
can indicate a problem with the catalytic converter or exhaust system. These smells can help diagnose
your vehicles problem.
8).Knowing how your vehicle handles can also be an enormous help when describing trouble to your
auto-mechanic. Does it hesitate? Does it seem to be missing? Is it stalling? Is it vibrating? Does it have
difficulty accelerating up hills? These are all symptoms that can assist in determining the problem. Make
yourself well aware of how your vehicle performs and you'll recognize when something is amiss.
9).Once it is time to call the mechanic. By now you should have a enough knowledge of your vehicle and
you now know how to explain the problem to your mechanic. Now we can review our checklist. What is it
doing? Is it a noise, a smell? Where is it coming from? Inside the automobile, outside the automobile? Is it
on the left hand, right, underneath, in the rear, front? When does this take place? During braking, while the
car is sitting still, when it gets warmed up, when it is cold, going uphill, when shifting? How often does it
happen? Always?, Once in a while ? Does it do it while turning a corner? Which side? Give as much info as
you are able to and you will not only make it simpler and quicker for your mechanic to diagnose the
problem, you will know enough to keep from getting cheated.
10).Make it your mission to learn as much as you can about your vehicle. Knowledge equals Power! You
can search online, the library, friends, even family.
The more you know the better off you'll be. Once you pick up the basics, you'll be able to do some
preventive maintenance on your own. Matters like checking your fluids, maintaining the proper tire
pressure, checking your battery, will all help your vehicle in the long run. Be your vehicles ally and it will be
with you for a long time.