Auto Repair: Reputation Matters

There are some final things to consider about finding an auto repair shop.  Even though it may sound complex it is actually quite simple really.

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Auto Repair in Phoenix AZ: Play Nice

In addition to reviews and certifications, another thing to look forward to in a mechanic is their basic people skills.  Customer service or soft skills is one of those qualifications that can't be emphasized enough.  Let's face it.  Unless you're going in for a scheduled maintenance job, when your car isn't working, you are probably stressed out.  The last thing you need is a surly or hostile mechanic, or worse yet, one who is condescending regarding your situation.  There are certain universal service skills that even a mechanic should have when dealing with customers.

Without these skills in place, the shop in question is a primary target for a bad online review at least, but more importantly, they will start to lose customers.  First off, an auto mechanic should listen to what the problem is, or the reason you are in the shop to begin with.  If you are in there for scheduled maintenance,  you're going to have a different set of requirements than someone who is coming in with problems with their engine.  There is an art to listening.  First off, patience is key.

Patience, Knowledge, and Time:  Skills of a Good Mechanic

Let's take a look at a visit to an auto repair shop.  If the guy behind the counter is rude and interrupts you before you can tell him what the problem is,  then you're probably going to make a mental note of it.  It's important to provide great service, not just fast service.  Good customer service means attentiveness and competence, not "take a number and stand in line."  It also means that even in the case of a busy repair day, the guy behind the counter should greet you when you come in.  That's just good manners. The final thing to consider is the most precious commodity we all have:  our time.  That's why a mechanic should do your repair in a timely manner and not "when he gets to it."  You also want the repair done right in one visit.  A bad mechanic will make you come back again and again for a repair that should have been done all at once.

So remember, when it's time to find someone to work on your car, do a bit of research and trust your feelings. Then you know you not only have a mechanic, you have a mechanic that you can trust.

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Transmission Center
4020 N. 75th Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85033
623-849-9392
http://phxtransmissioncenter.com/

Auto Repair: The More Knowledge the Better

If you need auto repair in Phoenix, how much should your mechanic know? This isn't a trick question. The obvious answer is "how to fix a car." However, some mechanics are better than others.

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Transmission Repair and Your Mechanic

If your transmission's acting up, what a lot of people don't know is that a lot of mechanics don't have the knowledge base to work on them, and oftentimes the shop has to 'farm' the transmission repair out to a shop that specializes in power train work.  That's why it is a good idea to check out the shop you're thinking of taking your car to before you have a problem.  Why?  Well, for one thing your repair may end up costing a lot more.

If a mechanic has to send a part out to another shop to be fixed, you're going to most likely see something on your repair invoice that is a transit fee or transportation fee.  If it isn't there, a lot of times, you will find that you may be paying a higher labor charge than you thought.  Remember, the more something changes hands, the more it is going to cost you, even in the field of auto repair.

Do Certifications Matter Where Auto Mechanics Are Concerned?

A lot of times people don't know what it means when a mechanic is certified.  Are all certifications the same?  Absolutely not.  If a certification is to be valid, it should be from a recognized leader in the industry.  You want to look for a certified mechanic that was awarded their certification from an accrediting body such as the ATI, ASE, or directly from the manufacturers themselves.  So if you see that they have certifications from automakers such as Ford, GMC, Toyota, and Nissan, then they should definitely be put on the list of mechanics to consider.

You want to make sure that you find a mechanic that you can trust as well.  Look at their reviews online.  You want to look for honest reviews about the shop in question,   As to how you can spot honest reviews and not ones that are bogus, look for stories regarding the shop in question.  If the review tells how a mechanic handled a particular repair, and what sort of job they did, you most likely have an honest review.  This is a practical step if you want to know how to find an auto repair shop in Phoenix.

Continued...

Transmission Center
4020 N. 75th Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85033
623-849-9392

Transmission Repair in Glendale, AZ: The Signs of Trouble...

How can you tell if your transmission's going out?  Well, there are certain symptoms to look out for in a bad transmission.

Transmission Problems You May See

If you need Transmission Repair in Glendale, Call us Today 623-875-9500

First off, let's start simple. Check your transmission fluid  twice a year. If your transmission fluid's too low, your car will not not shift properly, which can in turn lead to damage to the transmission, it indicates that you more than likely have a leak somewhere in the assembly. Transmission fluid, unlike oil stays fairly static in it's level. Transmission leaks are easy to spot. Transmission fluid is reddish in color and has a sickly sweet smell.

Looking for transmission leaks is surprisingly easy. Your automatic transmission has only a few places where leaks can happen. The places that a transmission leak can happen are at the drain hole underneath the case, between the transmission and the engine, the selector shaft, and the speed sensor mount. However, if your fluid is not the problem, then it may be your transmission filter.

Transmission Filters

How can you tell if  your transmission filter is clogged? A clogged transmission filter will exhibit itself by your transmission behaving sluggish and hard to shift.  And you want to make sure that this potential problem is explored.  Some less than scrupulous mechanics may recommend a transmission replacement or installing a rebuilt transmission.  However, if you have your mechanic check your transmission filter before going anything more expensive, you may end up with a much smaller repair bill.  But can you do it on your own?

If you learn nothing else from this article, know this:  transmissions are complex pieces of equipment.  If you don't know what you're doing, and don't have the proper tools, you could end up causing even more damage to the unit than what's already there. In addition to the rather steep learning curve, buying all the tools you're going to need to fix a transmission in addition to the parts are going to set you back as much if not more than simply going into your local repair shop.

So remember, a little knowledge can help you. Conversely, if you have just enough knowledge to be dangerous, you're going to end up shelling out a lot of money in the long run when you have to take your car in.  Your best bet?  Call a transmission repair shop in Glendale, AZ.

Transmission Center
8882 W Bell Rd
Peoria, AZ 85382
623-875-9500
http://www.phxtransmissioncenter.com