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TOP 4 QUALITIES OF A GREAT AUTO REPAIR SHOP
American Pride Automotive • Aug 15, 2014
If you are new to the Hampton Roads area or simply looking to entrust the care of your family’s vehicle to a different mechanic, the huge number of options out there can seem overwhelming. The reality is, however, that a high-quality auto mechanic is surprisingly hard to find these days. As you decide where to take your vehicle, take these 4 qualities of a great auto repair shop into consideration.
1. Displays Honesty and Integrity. The stereotype of the shyster auto mechanic is a familiar one. He nickels and dimes, charges for unnecessary repairs and does a less than thorough job (if he fixes the problem at all). The best way to avoid getting in with a character like this is to do your homework. Ask friends and family for reliable referrals and check every online review you can find for prospective candidates.
2. Employs Only Certified Technicians. Mechanics are not required by law to become certified by any of the major U.S. auto credential programs, but the repair shop you choose should require it. Certification helps ensure that the people working on your vehicle are performing at a professional standard. American Pride automotive technicians are all certified through the highly reputable National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).
3. Invests in Continuing Education. Cars and trucks are getting more complex every day and the industry is constantly changing. It’s vital that you work with technicians who are up-to-speed in the latest automotive technology. At American Pride, we require (and pay) our service staff to undergo quarterly continuing education and training sessions.
4. Makes Good Communication a Priority. A quality mechanic is skilled at translating technical automotive jargon to something that a layperson can easily understand. They should always be able to clearly communicate the reason for a repair or maintenance procedure and make you feel at ease.
The team at American Pride makes a concerted effort to exceed these standards daily. We specialize in automotive repair, maintenance and certified Virginia state inspections. Click or call to schedule an appointment or stop into anyone of the three American Pride locations in Newport News, Williamsburg and Toano.
We want to say thank you to all of our healthcare and first responders. Please accept this specialized offer.
You’re driving home at night and it is raining cats and dogs. You can’t see but 20 feet in front of your car, but you’ve slowed down and are being extra cautious, so what could go wrong? Then you feel it. A sinking Cl-clunk. Maybe that “puddle” you saw ahead of you was deeper than just a puddle. Before you know it, your car is stalling in the high water in the middle of the road. Now what? First off, don’t panic. Turn on your hazards and crank the ignition once. If the car starts, make it dry land and pull over to assess the damage. If it does not start the first time, do not try to start it again. Doing so can result in a hydro locked engine and will likely necessitate the rebuilding or replacement of the engine. Unfortunately, if you find yourself stalling in water at all, your vehicle will probably need costly repairs. The best way to avoid water damage is to practice safe and smart driving in wet weather, which brings us to Part 2 of the Everything Auto “Blame it on the Rain” series (Find Part 1 here). Take heed of these severe weather driving tips: 1. TAKE NO CHANCES ON PUDDLES Even if the standing water ahead of you looks shallow enough to drive through, think twice. If the water is “rushing” or if other drivers are making a point to avoid it, don’t assume that your vehicle is the exception. Additionally, you never know the hazards that lay at the bottom of a puddle. Hidden potholes or debris can pierce your tires and jostle your alignment and suspension system. 2. IF YOU MUST TAKE A CHANCE, TAKE IT SLOW AND STEADY When you deem it necessary and safe to drive through water of questionable depth, go slowly. Speeding through a puddle, even a shallow one, can splash water into your vehicle’s intake and critically harm the engine. Like we mentioned last week, after driving through standing water, lightly tap your brakes to make sure they aren’t saturated and to dry them off. 3. KEEP A ROADSIDE EMERGENCY KIT HANDY Sometimes, no matter how careful you are on the road, accidents and vehicle malfunctions happen, especially in wet severe weather. That’s why it is extremely important to keep emergency supplies ready in the trunk for the worst case scenario. You can buy a preassembled one, but it is cheaper (and more rewarding) to assemble your own. What should you include? Edmunds.com provides an excellent comprehensive list of items, a few of which include: 12-foot jumper cables Four 15 minute road flares Two quarts of oil A gallon of antifreeze A first-aid kit. Find the rest of the list here We hope that this series has given you helpful safety insights and tips for driving in the rain! Remember that American Pride Automotive is always here to help and ready to answer any and all of your auto repair and maintenance questions! Call or contact us today.
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