Show r s 's ’ m Mo Stoop3 Clta©©§c " Today's vehicles may not quite be the space shuttle but they REPAIR CHARGES UNLOCKING THE MYSTERY are far removed from the days when that little cljcking sound ' What should be included an estimate? y : mM - A dia8nosed and fixed by fl''' any shade-tre- e mechanic'''' ' ideas for vehicle maintenance- : - This should list each repair all parts supplied the cost of each what is covered under your warranty and get it in writing Always get and keep a signed written cost estimate for the vehicle's odometer readiiig wjjen the vehicle altered the shop and when the repair sure the estimate speafically 5' identifies the condition to be Check with the Federal Trade Commission or your state or local consumer proteC tionagency for information about your warranty rights: PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE ' Warranties may be' subject j - i cha:v tWanddpated labor should one occur to be Make sure the estimate states to find it efficiently Vtf&Vv- that the shop wfi contact you fur before performing f°r AREmSe'GOTDa IDEAS OF WHAT TO and of time amount ymoney ' What should yoin look for y y0Ur state may require thisi it&?v-- and'' vChiclC sP$Pe Vemgm iibk for airi auto rinfrJ chaalUtraiycan ?i tu es authorized to perform war- - dures required to obtain rdmfflp: bursernent Make sure you : understand these firriiratiqre mdnto-'u-- ' such as changing the oil or checking the coolant1 - ? busmens inter-relate- d ignot mg maintenance can lad to failure of otfier parts or am ratire system Neglecting even - aPPl ait ! Wdtopoor ocosttf V- r mparc y anty P0 br3-- - Coverage of the service contract and whether it f ' V j dwiei'you may want to coiir repairs needed :!jfp Hi a repalr shop'di i t WpiMmtenance a scoiul opinion ‘"V- honors your vehickVwarranty ' A ules which call for more A - -- g 'y honesrwwkr V' ‘ : RIGHT TECHNICIAN Look for shops that display various certifications like an Automotive Service Excellence seal Certifications indicate that some pr all of the techni-dans have met basic standards of knowledge and competence t technical areas in speanc Make sure the certifications were recendv obtained Remember however that cer-tification alone is not an absolute guarantee of good or IM T parable shops for the best (teal FINDING THE about suggested repair work get y a second Opinion or estunate r Ask - Shops that do only diagnos- tic work and do not sell parts or repairs may be able to give : you an objective opinion about which repairs are necessary - ” '"y” fre- - utaurerecommendadons ' f Compare shop maintenance schedules with those recom-mended in your owner's man- ual Ask the repair shop to explain and make sure you understand why it rtcom- - : mends service beyond the rec- - f: : t required vehicle maintenance schedules Whethtr repair costs are Z fa Paid directly by company 10 rePair shoP ?r whether and you will have to pay first " pmmended schedule ' PROTECTING YOUR INVESTMENT What warranties and service - rdmbursed" ' - The reputation - : ice contract contracts apply to vehicle repairs? There is no such thing as a "standard warranty" on repairs vv ‘Make n ywrunderstaitd " : dfic repairs or meeting After repairs are finished get a completed repair order descrtbfttg the work' done: Where the repairs are to vfedoresrequirea0 file aclaimsuch as getting i: ? pnor authorization for spe- - 'i : if there will be a diag- - nostic charge if you decide to have the work performed else- where Many repair shops charge for diagnostic time overlaps that provided by - - g : ‘C fV of the serv-- : - company which be checked with your state Attorney General's office or the local consumer protec- tiotiagtttcyr |