The importance of technical knowledge can’t be overstated. “Cars are becoming increasingly high-tech, so technicians must be continually trained to stay updated on industry standards,” says Allen Pennebaker, owner of Orinda Motors, Inc. “When shops aren’t doing that, they’re basically parts-changers. There’s a lot of guessing. Sometimes the guesses are lucky, but ongoing training is always a better way to do business.”
Make sure the shop’s personnel are connected to various nationwide resources where they can get up-to-date information and data on specific problems that might come up during the course of a repair job.
After you’ve done your research and found an auto repair shop you trust, it’s a good idea to develop a routine maintenance schedule to keep your car in top running condition. Many repairs become necessary as a result of poor maintenance, so ask your mechanic to help you create a maintenance checklist, which should include things like regular oil and filter changes, tire rotations and fluid checks. It’s important to follow all of the scheduled maintenance required by the manufacturer to keep your warranty valid.
