Basic To Advanced Auto Repair

This is pretty obvious, but what exactly should auto repair entail? First of all, an auto repair shop should be able to perform a basic diagnosis of your vehicle and tell you what is causing the problem. Your auto repair technician should be able to communicate this with you so that you at least understand the basics, even if you don’t know much about cars. After they’ve made the repairs on your vehicle, they should be able to explain how, if possible, to avoid that problem from occurring again in the future. You will also want your auto repair technician to be professionally certified. ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) is a good example of a certification they should have.

Electrical services should be included at your auto repair shop. This includes fixing issues such as:

• Flickering or dim lights
• Problems with headlights, parking lights
• Taillights, turn signals, and any other exterior light on your vehicle
• Instrument panel lighting that is malfunctioning
• Any interior light that won’t turn on or is flickering
• Windshield wipers that aren’t working, or work when they shouldn’t
• A/C or heating systems not blowing air when they need to (usually an indicator of a blower motor issue)

Engine services are another essential service. Your auto techs should be able to inspect and tune-up your engine. They will need to analyze its performance, fluids, and various components, and make the repairs accordingly. You should expect an inspection of:

• Spark plugs 
• All fluids (especially oil), belts, filters, hoses, and emissions
• The fuel system
• The engine’s timing and idle
• The PCV valve
• Points and condenser

After this, your technicians should be able to solve the problem to the best of their abilities. However, sometimes engine damage is simply irreparable, especially if it’s overheated.

Other services included should be:

• Transmission service
• Brake service
• Suspension service
• Heating and cooling service

Oil Change

While this doesn’t necessarily count as “auto repair” per se, regular oil changes are an essential aspect of vehicle maintenance and a service that every auto repair shop should provide. Your oil is the lifeblood of your vehicle. It works by making all of the components of your engine function without creating too much friction and heat. Your engine is comprised of many components that are moving at a high rate of speed. In order for this to function properly, the engine needs to be lubricated. That’s where oil comes in. 

Over time, your oil will begin to get “dirty”, meaning it has collected a lot of grime and harsh particles that come off your engine. This can damage the engine components, causing them to warp and corrode. Dirty oil also acts as a heat insulator, which is the opposite of what you want. If left unchanged, your dirty oil will eventually cause your engine to overheat, which will render it permanently useless. The cost of replacing an engine is often so high that many people simply decide to buy a new vehicle.

If you are in need of an oil change, your local auto repair shop should be able to provide one.