HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Brussels Post, 1979-04-16, Page 25Describe car's symptoms
as you'd talk to a doctor
By MIKE KURTA
There is a lot of talk these
days about the quality of au-
tomotive service, and the
number of complaints
brought forth by the motor-
ing public. One of the reasons
could be a gap in communica-
tion between the car owner
and his or her mechanic.
Often there is a lack of un-
derstanding as to the basic
problem with the car and the
reason for asking for certain
service operations. This may
be a result of a sketchy or
unclear description of the
trouble, laced with opinions
volunteered by friends and
neighbors, and handed over
from owner to service writer,
to foreman-to mechanic.
Here are some tips on how
to talk to your mechanic:
First of all, if you try to
imagine a patient taking his
ills to a medical doctor, you
will understand more clearly
what your mechanic faces
when he looks under the
hood of your car. The differ-
ence is, your car can't tell
him where it hurts, so you
must be your car's voice.
Keep records. That means
any and all previous service
receipts should be kept in
folder in your glove con-
partment. They should bi
ready for instant inspectiof
in the event of a warrant!
question on tires, batteries
mufflers, etc., and it will give
your mechanic a running his
tory of your car's mainte
nance routine.
Have these available whet
you arrive at the garage am
offer to produce them i
needed. Unnecessary wont
can often be avoided b!
checking back to see wire]
the last job was done.
Write things down. Man:
shops like a grocery list o
items you want done, and i
also helps you to remembe
things you might forget who
you bring your car in.
If you have a particula
problem, take time to writ(
down the symptoms yot
have noticed. When did th(
problem begin? Have yot
had it before? Does it make
noise? Does it happen whet
the engine is cold in the morn
ing? Is there an odor?
All descriptions are wel
come and any clue you car
provide your mechanic mad
be the one he needs to arrive
at an accurate diagnosis of
your car's problem.
It has often happened that
just one point of information
by the owner steers the
mechanic down the right
road to locate the trouble.
Stick to the facts. Try to
refrain from too much hear:
MIKE KURTA
GARAGE OWNER
say and opinion which tends
to be misleading and might
result in the wrong thing
being fixed.
Don't be afraid to take time
and explain in careful,
thorough detail what you
want. You don't have to be a
mechanic to describe that
cough, squeak, or oil drip.
Plain language will do.
After all, who knows your
car better than you?
If you have an intermittant
problem, one that is not pres-
ent all the time, such as a
rough running engine or a
balky transmission, try to ar-
rive when the trouble is
there, so you can demon-
strate it.
There's nothing more frus-
trating to a mechanic than to
try to locate a toothache that
has disappeared. If neces-
sary, offer to take him on a
road test so he can see first
hand what the problem is.
And be sure to leave your
telephone number in case he
needs to call and consult you
further about the symptoms.
One car owner even
brought in a tape recording of
the noise the car made, but
only at certain times. Silly as
it seemed, this method led to
the correct repairs being
made, and the problem was
solved.
In short, be sure your
mechanic understands the
problem. Make a list of the
car's needs and symptoms,
!and convey these things to
him as clearly as possible.
9 CARS ONLY. VANS AND 5 4-WHEEL DRIVEVEHICLES
NOT INCLUDED
PLUS TAX
AT PARTICIPATING SUNOCO DEALERS.
OFFER EXPIRES MAY 31; 1979.
YOUR SPRING THAW PACKAGE INCLUDES:
1. Oil change
2. Lubrication
3. Oil filter •
4 Inspect air filter
5. Inspect P.C.V. valve
6. Inspect fan belts
7. Inspect head lights, all others
8. Inspect shock absorbers
9. Inspect exhaust system
10. Inspect anti-freeze/coolant
11. Inspect radiator system & hoses
(pressure test)
12. Inspect universal joints
13. Inspect wiper blades
14. Inspect tire pressure
15. Inspect fluid levels in brake
system, transmission, differential
TOTAL $14.95 plus tax
Further checks and services you may want to
request [at additional cost]:
• Remove snow tires
• Rotate. tires
• Check brakes
• Wheel alignment
• Balance wheels
Archie's Sunoco
Seaforth
a little more
personal
Keep
your
cool.
Get set for those hot, swelter-
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check over your cars air cOn-
ditioning systeni, teplade lost
coolant. 'Make sure eVeey-
thing'S right,
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Now is the time to save on this
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Free Write for our free brochure "Your Guide
to the Care and Maintenance of Farm
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NAME
ADDRESS
r-•
Bw 10 gallons tor more)
of Wxaco's farmlubricants
and you'll save 204 a gallon.
ROWE FUELS
TEXACO DISTRIBUTORS
Station St. Sea.forth
Phone 527-1117
Toll Free 1-800-265-4265
Serving Exeter; .Sedforth i Brussels.
Offer expires June 155 1979
CARE CARE SECTION -5 -
Tire care reduces operating cost
ers still are dependable but
wearing to the point where
replacement would be advis-
able in the near future.
If parts replacement is rec-
ommended, the Council ad-
vises against economic short
cuts in quality of parts, ex-
tent of service and cut-rate
estimates, Insufficient ser-
vice to save a few dollars can
mean much higher future re-
pair bills as a result of the
penny-wise philosophy.
Careful attention to steer-
ing, suspension and tires are
among the major considera-
tions to keep vehicle mainte-
nance costs low.
Proper maintenance of
tires and wheel alignment can
reduce vehicle operating
costs, the Car Care Council
advises.
For example, tires under-
inflated by only eight pounds
can reduce gas mileage
by five percent and cut tire
life by 25 percent or more.
Cost-conscious motorists,
the Council suggests, will
check tire inflation fre-
quently with their own
gauges, available in most au-
tomotive stores for less than
two dollars.
Owners also should check
tires for abnormal wear when
vehicles are on lifts for lubri-
cation or underframe ser-
vice.
Further reduction of fuel
consumption would be the
result of incorrect alignment.
which can result in at least a
two percent per-tankful
energy loss—as well as re-
ducing tire life.
Incorrect alignment accel-
erates tire wear to an even
greater degree,
The Council points, out
there are two easy ways to
detect incorrect alignment of
tire balance, indicating the
need for cost-saving wheel or
front end service:
1, Looseness or excessive
play in steering, or difficulty
in controlling the vehicle
over bumps and around
curves are indications of
problems which need cor-
recting.
2. Another is vibration or
the slightest shimmy.
When vehicles are on lu-
brication lifts, another pre-
ventive maintenance check
would be asking a qualified
mechanic to check the front
end and steering for loose-
ness, and shock absorbers
for leaks.
A good mechanic can de-
termine the corrective mea-
sures needed for steering and
suspension systems. . .or
advise that ball joints, steer-
ing linkage and shock absorb-