5 Tips to Help You Speak "Auto Tech" to Your Car Technicians

by Marjorie, Cars for Keeps Social Media Manager

Have you ever brought your car into a repair shop only to realize you have no idea what to tell the technicians? Or - perhaps more commonly - to realize that you have no idea what your car technicians are telling you?

Well, first off, we take pride at Cars for Keeps in making sure our customers understand exactly what's wrong with their autos, and how we plan to fix it. Ok, well maybe not EXACTLY (that would be a long, boring visit indeed), but a well-informed car owner is far more capable of keeping their car healthy, which is what we're all about.

If you're anything like me, you might tend to say things to your car technician like, "Um, it's not working. I know something is wrong with the...car. Fix it!" Here are a few ways to prepare for your next visit to the repair shop, impress your technicians and make sure you're getting the best service for your car:

1) Take a moment to write down your car's symptoms and/or performance issues. Sloppy steering? Any rattles, vibrations or unusual smells? Does it have trouble starting? Weird sounds? Does the steering pull? Even if you don't know what these symptoms mean, this information can help your technician more accurately diagnose your car.

2) Bring the paperwork from previous repairs, tire changes, oil changes et cetera with you. Think of these as your car's "medical records" - and who doesn't ask for a diagnosis from the doctor without first giving him or her your medical records?

No surprises here!

3) Use the terms "passenger side" and "driver's side" instead of "right" and "left" when describing what's wrong. This will help clarify what you're describing; it turns out, "left" and "right" are subjective to where you're standing!

4) If there's any jargon, process or problem a technician describes that you don't understand, ask him or her to explain it more thoroughly. We pride ourselves on keeping customers well informed, but we can't answer questions you don't ask!

5) Read over the repair order thoroughly and ask technicians to explain any parts you don't understand. If certain parts are vague or not clear, ask they be rewritten so there are no surprises later on.

Safe driving and healthy cars!

A Women’s Point of View: Yesterday’s Hero, Tomorrow’s Friend

by Colette Cooley, Cars for Keeps Office Manager

About ten years ago, our service manager Dennis Sweet happened to be in the right place at the right time. He was in a parking lot when the battery blew up in one of the parked cars. There were a lady and a dog sitting in the car, very much in distress. She could not open the locked doors because there was no power to unlock them. Battery acid fumes were seeping into the car's interior. The occupants were in extreme danger. Dennis broke out the back window of the car and got both the lady and the dog out safely. In a matter of minutes, the car caught on fire.

Fast forward ten years. This same lady came into Cars For Keeps a few days ago. She was looking for a new repair facility to keep her car maintained properly and she heard some very good things about Cars For Keeps. She and Dennis recognized each other and had a happy reunion. She has made Cars For Keeps her new car maintenance facility “for keeps”. Doing good when the opportunity comes around is like a ripple. It is never forgotten and it keeps circling, coming back to a person in surprising ways. In this case, we welcomed a new customer and also acquired a new friend. I have worked at Cars For Keeps now for four years and have watched these guys consistently go out of their way to help people. Call it “Christmas nostalgia” but from a women’s point of view, this is a good thing.

A Women's Point of View: Pieces and Parts

by Colette Cooley Cars For Keeps Office Manager

I work with car parts every day. All these funny-shaped pieces made of metal, plastic, rubber, glass and even material. For a non-mechanic, there is something magical about a tiny piece of plastic or a thin bit of wire that can mean the difference between a great big automobile that runs and one that does not run. Take a gasket for example. How can this thin piece of what looks like paper, be so essential to your car? Yes, I know, it keeps oil from leaking out so you won’t have a geyser under the hood, but wouldn’t Gorilla Glue work just as well? And what is it with all that wiring? We are talking a mile or more of wiring running throughout your car. It’s like a Gordian Knot*.

It seems to me that since we are well into the 21st Century, cars ought to be wireless. Everything else is wireless. We have the technology to make a wireless mouse. Need I say more? Until these little inconveniences are overcome, we have knowledgeable mechanics at Cars For Keeps who will help you keep your car in good running condition.

*Greek legend is of a knot tied by King Gordius of Phrygia which could only be undone by the future master of Asia. Alexander the Great, failing to untie it, cuts the knot with his sword. A bold solution for a perplexing problem.

Nice reference, Colette!

A Women’s Point of View: Thanksgiving

by Colette Cooley, Cars For Keeps Office Manager

AAAHH! The Holidays are approaching faster than the speed of light. While half of us are eagerly looking forward to next Wednesday night’s activities of baking pies, peeling 20 pounds of potatoes, and cleaning the house for the 27 people who will be arriving the next day, the other half of us are happily packing our overnight bags to be thrown into the car for that long, relaxing trip to Cousin Clem’s house and all that food.

The Car! OhMyGod! You suddenly remember that you have been postponing that visit to Cars For Keeps to find out what that squeal is about in the back of the car. Your thinking, are the brakes going out? Is the axle about to fall off the car? Is there a rabid raccoon caught in the driveshaft? And now that you are thinking about it, what is that click-click-clicking under the hood? Some squirrel’s nut stash? All the nuts and bolts are loose? Is the engine about to fall off? Suddenly, you are in ‘high anxiety’ mode.

It's O. K. Give Cars For Keeps a quick call to set a last-minute appointment. Have an oil change, an inspection for those pesky noises, a cup of coffee, a few laughs, and a little relaxation while the experts take care of everything for you. There is something empowering in knowing that your car is in good working condition. Just don't forget to fill that gas tank.

Have a joyous and safe Thanksgiving Day.