right to repair
Five questions you should ask
your mechanic before a service
Car issues, expensive repairs and ‘those mechanics that ripped me off’ are always hot
conversation starters among vehicle owners. So what should you be doing to ensure
your vehicle repairs or regular services become hassle-free?
L
es McMaster, chairman of the Motor
Industry Workshop Association
(MIWA), says your best line of
defence is to ask the right questions from
the get go.
“The quote should include an approximate
cost for the parts and labour.
Remember that preventative maintenance
through early detection can prove more
cost effective in the long term.”
“Don’t be afraid to ask questions and
expect comprehensive answers from your
mechanic. Make sure that your mechanic
is accredited with an industry body such
as MIWA to ensure you have access to
recourse should the service you receive not
be up to scratch,” he concludes.
By asking the right
questions and showing you have
an idea of what should be done
to your vehicle, you are setting
the tone for a frank conversation
with your mechanic and getting
a good pre-service idea of the
state of your vehicle,
he says.
➲ Les McMaster, chairman of MIWA
McMaster says that while there are many
questions you could ask your mechanic,
he recommends starting with these
basics:
“Firstly, ask about your cam belt. Does
the vehicle have a cam belt and if so,
when was it last changed? The cam
belt synchronises the rotation of the
crankshaft and the camshaft(s) so that
the engine’s valves open and close at
the proper times during each cylinder’s
intake and exhaust strokes. The lifespan
of cam belts vary depending on the
manufacturer. It is best to refer to your
vehicle handbook for a guide on when the
cam belt should be changed. “
“Next you should ask about the condition
of your brake pads and at what limit they
should be changed. Brake pads should
be replaced at 70% of total wear to
ensure the safety of the driver. It’s also
impor tant that your mechanic inspects
the brake discs so ensure you suggest
that this is done.”
The third question you should be asking,
says McMaster, is whether your brake fluid
and radiator coolant needs to be changed.
“It’s also important to ask how often this
should be done and whether it was done at
your last service.”
Personal safety is obviously a concern for
most drivers, so asking about the state of
the airbags, seatbelts and ABS is also a
must. “A light appearing on your dashboard
is not a guarantee that the ABS is working
correctly.
ABS (Anti-lock braking system) allows
the wheels on your vehicle to maintain
traction with the road surface, preventing
the wheels from locking up and avoiding
uncontrolled skidding. Your mechanic will
be able to check that the system is working
correctly and the airbags are programmed
to deploy in the event of a collision.”
McMaster says the last question you
should be asking is for the mechanic to
contact you with a quote, should he find
any other work that needs to be done.
| words in action
48
september 2014