Maintenance is an important part of keeping your vehicle running smoothly and avoiding costly damage that leaves you without a car for weeks at a time. If you take your car to a mechanic to have this type of work done, do you simply wait for them to finish and then leave? Even if you don’t know a lot about cars, it’s important to ask a few important questions to ensure you’re keeping your car in the best shape possible. To make it easier, four of the most crucial questions you’ll want to ask your mechanic are listed below.
1. Are There Any Signs of Damage?
After your oil has been changed, your tires have been rotated, and any other maintenance work has been completed, ask your mechanic about what they saw. They’ll be able to give you information about the condition of everything from the engine to the smallest working parts. With this, you’ll know whether or not you will have to pay for some work in the near future. This information may also help you take further precautions so you can avoid causing more damage that negatively impacts your vehicle.
2. Do You Have Experience With My Type of Car?
This is a question that’s most beneficial for those who own specialty cars, such as Teslas or electric/hybrid vehicles. Some mechanics may not be well-versed with all it takes to properly maintain these, which can make visits to them pointless (and a waste of money). The answer you get from the mechanic will tell you all you need to know when it comes to moving on or staying with them. Fortunately, if you go to an automotive shop that handles your make of car specifically, you should be covered.
3. Is Specialty Maintenance Important?
Some vehicles require specialty maintenance, on occasion, to ensure the body is kept in good shape and the technology is up-to-date. While this information will likely be in your manual, chances that you actually read every page of that are minimal. By simply asking this question, you’ll receive a lot of great information about which maintenance appointments are the most important. This may help you avoid damage while helping to keep your investment running better on a daily basis.
4. Is That Issue Normal?
If you’ve been noticing a strange noise or even an odd smell in your car, it’s crucial to ask your automotive mechanic when you see them for maintenance. They’ll be able to take a deeper look while they are working to make sure everything is in good shape. If there is an issue, you’ll be glad they found it early, as waiting until it becomes a bigger problem can mean spending a lot more money.
Keeping Your Investment in Good Shape
Whether your car is an ’88 Honda or an ’18 Toyota, you should never skip maintenance. This is one of the single most important parts of owning a car and can make all the difference with how well it runs long into the future. The questions above are simply starting points for really getting to know more about your investment. If you think of anything else you want to know, ask your mechanic! In most situations, they’ll be glad to help you learn more.
