by A1performance123 | Sep 2, 2015 | Auto Care Blog
A car repair estimate is necessary before you get any work done on your car. There are laws in the state of California regarding estimates. These laws were put into place to protect the auto owner and the auto shop from misunderstandings on the cost and details of the repair. Here are some things you should know when your car needs work.
Car Repair Estimate
The car repair estimate might be something the mechanic will charge to do, most will do an estimate for free, thought. Once that estimate is signed by you then the mechanic is held to what he quoted by California state law. If he gets into the job and sees that there is more going on with the problem that originally thought and it will cost more, the mechanic needs your signature to authorize the increased cost.
The auto estimate needs to include:
- Itemized parts
- Method of repair
- Cost of labor
- Cost of parts
- Total estimated cost
Of course, with any car repair it might be difficult to guess what the true issue is before tearing the car apart to fix the problem. If a more expensive repair is going to need to be made, you must give your approval for the additional costs either by phone or in writing before the work is done. If you give a phone approval, this must be noted on the estimate.
Getting Your Car Fixed
Most of the time these days everything will go smoothly with your car repair estimate and the problem is quickly fixed at a reasonable cost. If you picked an unethical auto shop and think you’ve been ripped off, contact the California Bureau of Auto Repair at 1-800-952-5210 and they will investigate the matter. California has many laws in place to protect the consumer.
by A1performance123 | Aug 19, 2015 | Auto Care Blog
Do you need a car repair or does that dashboard icon that lit up mean you just need to check something? There are a lot of icons on your board, some are serious and some are not. Here are what a few of them mean.
Car Repair
Sometimes with dashboard light icons you need to stop driving immediately and call for a car repair, other times you can keep driving and check it when you get to where you are going. Here are what some of those icons mean and what you should do when they light up on your dashboard.
The Temperature Icon
This picture of a little thermometer means that your car is overheating. It sometimes helps to run your heater on high while you try to get to a safe place to pull over. Running the heater can pull some of the heat off the radiator, but this trick is only for trying to get you safely out of traffic. You need an auto repair right away.
The ABS Icon
ABS stands for Anti-Locking Brake System and when that particular dashboard icon lights up and stays on then there is something wrong with your brake system that prevents your brakes from locking up. Have this checked as soon as convenient. It is normal for this light to come on when you start the car then it quickly goes off. If it comes on when you are driving then there is a problem that needs to be checked by a mechanic sometime soon.
Car Doors
This dashboard icon means that one of your doors are not closed all the way. Open and re-shut your doors or trunk until the light goes off.
Get Your Car Checked Out
Get your car repair done at A1 Performance Auto Repair when you are having trouble with your vehicle. Our auto mechanics are certified and qualified to work on domestic and foreign automobiles.
by A1performance123 | Aug 12, 2015 | Auto Care Blog
Car maintenance is a bit of a mystery to some. There is more involved with it than changing the oil. There are certain things that really should be done when winter is coming on. Northern California is mild in the winter, but it does still have a winter. Be prepared by getting these things checked off the list.
Car Maintenance
You need to do a little maintenance to make sure you are ready for those extremely mild Sunnyvale, CA, winters. Here is a checklist to help you complete your to-do list for the winter months. If you are a typical busy person, August is a good time to start trying to get these things done.
Check Wipers for Wear
Windshield wipers wear out. As a rule, it is best to change them out every year as part of your car maintenance, but if you don’t drive all that much then maybe they are just fine for a couple of years. Have them checked by a mechanic or drive over to the auto parts store to pick up a pair.
Pick up an Ice Scraper
It rarely happens, but your windshield could collect some ice on a really cold Silicon Valley night. Better to have one in order to be able to drive home after a late night party than having to sit in a parking lot for an hour while the defroster melts it. Start looking for one now, because they are a rare item in California. You might have to order in.
Battery Check
Batteries checks always top the car maintenance lists. They tend to go on the blink without much warning. Don’t get stranded. Have it checked before you need to work it hard by running lights, wipers and the heater all the time in the winter.
by A1performance123 | Jul 29, 2015 | Auto Care Blog
Brake repair or replacement is costly these days. Many times this type of repair cannot be done while your wait, either. So, you could be without your car for a couple of days. Of course, those couple of days will be during the week when you have places to go and things do. Here are some tips on how to get the most from your brakes and avoid costly repairs.
Brake Repair
It can cost anywhere from $400 to $900 to have brakes repaired, per axel. The longer you put off a brake repair when you need one, the more it is going to cost. Here are some things you can do to keep the cost of replacing your brakes down.
Check the Breaks
You need to get your tires rotated every 5,000 to 10,000 miles and this is the perfect time to have the mechanic assess the health of your brakes while he’s rotating wheels. In order to see the brakes, the mechanic needs to remove the wheel. So, while he has the wheels off, he has a perfect view of what is going on with your brakes.
Repair Sooner Rather Than Later
If your brake pads have significant wear, then have them replaced. Once the pads are gone, the car is going to start digging into more expensive parts of the braking system. The longer you wait, the deeper the damage. By handling the brake repair when it is only the pads that are worn out, you will save a bundle of cash.
Saving Money on Brake Jobs
When you let a brake problem go then there is going to be more damage. If you’ve waited so long that the car no longer stops easily, you are going to run into very expensive repairs. As soon as brake pads are worn out, replace them and save all that unnecessary expense!
by A1performance123 | Jul 15, 2015 | Auto Care Blog
An unplanned auto repair can be very costly. Many times, you can avoid having to take your car to the mechanic by doing a few things yourself! Here are some helpful tips on how to save money with your car and hopefully, avoid having to have an emergency auto repair.
Auto Repair
Talk about inconvenience! When it is time to take the car in for an emergency auto repair, will it be a convenient time? NO! This never happens when you do not need the car. It usually happens when you are in the car and in a hurry to get somewhere. Here are some tips on things you can do to save money and avoid costly repairs on your car.
Car Battery
Clean the battery terminals with a mixture of baking soda and water to remove corrosive build up. If your terminals are too far gone and are sort of cemented in now, have your mechanic change them. You will get longer life from your battery.
Oil Changes
Most people only need to change their oil once every 7,500 miles. Check your car’s manual to see how often the manufacturer recommends. If you drive on dusty roads or drive only in stop and start city traffic then you will need to change it every 3,000 miles.
Tires
Make sure your tires have good tread and replace them when it is convenient for you instead of waiting for a blow out on the road. Check the tire pressure every fill up to make sure it is what the manufacturer recommends. You’ll get much better gas mileage with the proper tire pressure and likely save yourself from an auto repair.
Save Money
Be good to your car and your car will be good to you. You will always save money and also save having to have an unscheduled auto repair when you keep an eye on your car and plan ahead for auto maintenance.
by A1performance123 | Jun 24, 2015 | Auto Care Blog
When you start using a new auto shop, would you know if they are scamming you? Many people don’t know they’ve been taken advantage of by a mechanic and some of these scamming auto repair places are experts at padding bills and worse.
Auto Shop
There are a lot of signs that spell out a scam. There are many ways to grab a customer’s money, so be aware of these common ways to scam an auto repair customer.
1. Lack of Certifications in the Window:
An Auto Shop with a great reputation almost always has mechanics that are certified by ASE or another testing agency. If there are no certification stickers on the windows, you might want to pass.
2. Scared into Submission:
If the mechanic adds a lot of drama when explaining what is wrong with your car then it should be a red flag to you. Likely, your car will make it if you “drive another mile.”
3. Mr. Nice Guy:
He repaired something for free that you did not see him do and the mechanic says you need a repair. Being told your rear tire on your passenger side was low pressure and should be replaced immediately is a common trick. If you are in the driver’s seat, you can’t see what he’s doing back there.
4. Just Sign This Blank Form:
As always, never sign a blank authorization form. If you sign it and it is filled out later, you might inadvertently authorize a $5,000 “repair.” Always take the time to read what you are signing, especially if they are trying to rush you.
Find an Honest Auto Shop
You have to do some research to find a good, reputable auto shop. The best way to do it is to ask your friends who they like, then look for certifications when you go in.
