Today's Car Care Tip: 3 Main Ways of Being Ripped-Off
- They sell you something you don't need. This is the worst kind of rip-off. This occurs regularly in certain shops.
Protect yourself: Have them show you each needed item before and after repair; get written estimate; get second opinion before; verify repairs after; get old parts. - They don't know what they are doing. Many unskilled techs are in the field due to a general shortage of technicians nationwide. You are paying for their incompetence: wasted diagnosis time, mistakes, and parts not needed.
Protect yourself: Select a shop, which is accredited by ASE and ASA. Also make sure your tech is ASE certified in the specialty he's working in. Just because a tech is certified in one specialty, doesn't mean in all areas. Test their recommendations with a second opinion. - They promote a price which isn't realistic. Cheap 4 wheel brake jobs: $99, but really averages $200-$300. Scheduled maintenance, tune-ups, and many other services can also be misleading.
Handy Car Care Tips and Suggestions
- Used Car Buyers’ Checklist – Don’t buy a used car without running through this! These are the questions every used car buyer should ask.
- Going Green with your Car – How to go green with your car and reduce your carbon footprint!
- Fuel Saving Tips – Here are some easy ways to increase your gas mileage at home!
- Report A Pothole in the Denver area – If you’re sick of hitting the same pothole everyday, use one of these numbers to report a pothole in your area!
Fluid Colors
These are what your vehicle’s fluids look like when they’re brand new and just added to your vehicle. If they’re black, smell burnt, or just past your manufacturer’s recommended service interval, getting these fluids changed can prevent big expenses down the road. Click here to see the fluid chart.
Vehicle Systems
These are diagrams of how all of the integral systems in your car work. From your air conditioning, to your brakes, to your engine, use these diagrams to see how everything works, and why certain repairs and preventative maintenance services are necessary, and can save you money in the long run. Click on any picture below to see a larger diagram!
