Most people develop a unique bond with their car. Trips are taken in, sunrises shared with, and names are given to many of these cars. Yet, not all car owners consider getting a second opinion when it’s time for maintenance on their trusty steed. With the options available to the average car owner, they really should. Here’s how to know when to get a second opinion for car maintenance.
When to Get a Second Opinion for Car Maintenance
Maybe you’ve moved away and can no longer take your car to your trusted mechanic. Maybe you have recently purchased a brand that your mechanic does not service. Whatever the reason, you’re needing repairs and not sure about the quote you received. Perhaps it’s time to get a second opinion for car maintenance.
If that odd buzzing sound or vibration has led to that dreaded high price tag repair you’ve been dreading, you shouldn’t always take that first recommendation you get from your mechanic. Newer cars are highly complicated pieces of machinery. Depending on the make and model, it’s commonplace for there to be multiple causes for a single issue, leading to confusion.
For instance, if one mechanic has recommended a new radiator, it’s worth your while to take it to another mechanic, as the source issue could be as simple as a faulty temperature sensor.
Once you have a quote from your mechanic, don’t hesitate to call around to other mechanics. Tell them what you need done and ask how much to expect to pay. This way, you’ll get a much better idea of what to expect to pay.
When it’s time to take your car in for that Second Opinion from a mechanic, it’s best to keep in mind that this recommendation isn’t just about pricing. The second opinion may end up the costlier, yet correct one in the end.
What it all boils down to is expertise and the general impression you get from these service professionals. You haven’t spent any additional money to gain the added information, and now you’re more equipped to make the decision on what’s needed next for your beloved car.
Tips for Getting a Second Opinion
You can ask for a second opinion at a doctor, so why be hesitant to ask for a second opinion about your car’s health? Getting a second opinion isn’t going to hurt anyone’s feelings. It’s all part of the profession. These tips will help you identify how to approach getting a second opinion.
Listen to your instinct. If you aren’t getting a good feeling about what you’re hearing, then don’t hesitate; listen to that feeling! There’s a good chance that you have that feeling for a reason. Move on to another mechanic.- Be familiar with your vehicle. With all of the resources available on the internet today, all it takes is a quick online search to get some ideas on what the problem might be. If what you’re hearing doesn’t sound right, then don’t hesitate to look for another mechanic.
- Sound like you know what you are talking about. Much like being familiar with your vehicle, sounding like you are knowledgeable about your car will help prevent you from being taken advantage of. Unfortunately, some mechanics take advantage of customers instead of guiding them to the most economical path.
- Be straightforward. Establish good boundaries early, and don’t hesitate. Know what you want, and don’t hesitate to take your business elsewhere if you feel like you are being pushed.
- Don’t hesitate to call other mechanics. Let your fingers do the walking and call around town to find out what other mechanics are charging for the quote you received. And, who knows? They might find that the problem is different than the one you were quoted for.
A lot of the customer-mechanic relationship is based on trust. Think of it like going to the doctor. You aren’t going to visit a doctor who keeps pushing medications on you and doesn’t respect your wishes. Likewise, you shouldn’t feel obligated to choose a mechanic who doesn’t respect you or your car.
Servicing Your Vehicle at T3 Atlanta
No one is looking forward to the next time they need to take their car into the mechanic for service. That said, when that time does arrive, you can be assured that the team at T3 Atlanta are comprised of award-winning experts who are prepared for any customer’s vehicle problem.
From large scale issues to regular maintenance and oil changes, T3 Atlanta offers discounted services 365 days a year for Nissan, Infiniti, Toyota, and Lexus vehicles. With two locations in the Atlanta metro area, T3 has you and your car’s best interest in mind.
Although cell reception is widespread these days, there are still large parts of the US which do not have reception. Having a backup is a great way to avoid getting lost. Most state border visitor information centers will have free maps. You can also download offline copies of maps to your smartphone or tablet for easy reference.
What to have in an emergency kit:
Especially useful if you are travelling with kids, activities for the car will keep the young ones occupied so they aren’t constantly asking that age old question: “Are we there yet?”
The vehicle condition refers to the overall state of the vehicle in relation to its age and use. This includes:
In more recent years, it has been argued that 100,000 is the new 200,000. Some cars seem to last forever, and more and more are appearing on used car lots with the odometer reading well over 90,000 miles.
Buying a used car is a great way to save some money while still finding the best fit for your needs. The experience can be very rewarding if you’re willing to do some extra legwork and have the patience to hold out for the right fit.
Despite what most people think, a car alignment has nothing to do with adjusting the tires or wheels. Instead, the alignment refers to how the suspension is adjusted, and how it makes the tire/wheel combination sit in relation to the road.
A car that isn’t properly aligned doesn’t perform at its best. Poor alignment means you don’t enjoy handling that is as crisp as normal. Your vehicle will ride more roughly, negatively impacting comfort even if the road is smooth as glass.
Uneven tire wear. Perhaps the most common sign, this includes the inside or outside edge of your tires wearing out faster than the rest of the tread. If both edges are worn down faster than the middle of the tread, that’s a sign you don’t keep your tires properly inflated.
When being honest, most people will ask: what is hydroplaning? Simply put, hydroplaning is when water that has accumulated on the road is high enough that it sits between your tires and the actual road surface. In other words, the rubber is no longer touching pavement, and the car is essentially skipping along.
If it’s raining, or for some other reason you see water on the road, slow down. Don’t slam on the brakes, but do cut your speed significantly. Keep steering wheel movements gradual and not sudden.
First off, you shouldn’t panic if your car starts to hydroplane.
Check the mass air flow sensor, which can get dirty over time. This device measures exactly how much air is flowing into the engine. The car’s computer then uses that information to decide how much gasoline to use. Replacing a bad sensor will provide more accurate airflow data, which in turn means that your car will run more efficiently.
First off, stop speeding. Going the speed limit or below actually optimizes fuel consumption. If you speed because you’re always late, make some lifestyle changes so you leave earlier.
You can also improve your gas mileage when travelling outside of the city. When you go on trips, try packing lighter. You don’t need to take along everything but the kitchen sink, so don’t. Consider washing clothes if you’re going on a longer trip instead of packing enough for each day you’ll be gone. Some things you need can be purchased at your destination, which also cuts down on the weight you take along for the journey.
The reasons for car electrical problems can be many. Your vehicle might have a loose electrical connection. A blown fuse will cause problems. Sometimes, it’s that one part of the system is constantly drawing power, even when the engine is shut off, and it slowly drains the battery.
Blown fuses: When you constantly must replace blown fuses, this indicates something in the electrical system is sending too much current through those fuses.
Pop the hood and inspect the battery. If the terminals have any white gunk or other debris on them, clean them thoroughly with a wire brush. Corrosion can bring your car’s electrical system to its knees. If that isn’t the cause, wiggle the battery cables to see if they’re loose.
Another source of water damage is cars comes from leaving a convertible top down or a sunroof/windows open during significant amounts of rain. Most people don’t really think about how much such a mistake can damage a car, which is why you should always leave everything closed up if there’s any risk of precipitation. If you’re driving and a surprise shower hits, it’s important to pull over and put the top up so that you can avoid long-term damage.
Check the interior and trunk for any signs of mud, rust, or other unusual debris. This can be hiding in the glove box, at the edge of carpeting, under the seats, under the dashboard, etc. Some stains on the seats can be from spilled drinks, but extensive staining possibly indicates the car has been damaged by water. If the carpeting looks newer than the rest of the car, or it fits loosely, that’s a sign it was replaced recently, possibly to cover up the water damage.
Water and engines don’t mix well. If your car has been submerged in water, the first thing to do is check the engine oil level on the dipstick. If the oil level is too high, you likely have water in the engine. Another sign is if the oil has turned milky, although that can also be caused by coolant mixing in.
Preparing your car for a summer road trip starts with addressing the most important elements on your vehicle. After surviving the brutalities of winter, your car needs some attention. These vehicle maintenance tips for summer driving address dormant problems before they become big issues and leave you stranded or worse.
Most people think of winter when you mention survival kits, but kits for summer are just as important. A road trip survival kit for families can be the difference between being stranded without vital supplies, or being ready for the worst. Preparing your car for a summer road trip will help you tackle whatever might happen!
Summer road trips are a lot of fun, especially if everything goes off without a hitch. If you head out prepared, you can have some peace of mind, knowing that if anything does happen, you can handle the situation.
Not changing the oil in your car can cause the parts in the engine to wear down over time. It can also cause blockages in the passageways for the oil, which can lead to oil starvation and the engine components fusing together.
The main sign that your car is low on oil is when the oil pressure light comes on. It’s usually red and is in the gauge cluster, where you can’t miss it. If that happens, you need to pull over and add oil to the engine before continuing to run the car. When the light flickers, that means you need to add oil immediately, because it’s dangerously low.
