While at the facility, look for certifications displayed on the wall. If they have
none, ask to see their qualifications. This will tell you a lot about the facility.
What shingles and certifications should you look for?
Do the technicians have certifications from ASE, AC Delco, ASP, or
manufacturers such as GM, Ford, Chrysler, Toyota, Nissan, and so on? Do they
have aftermarket training from such leaders as NAPA/Echlin, Moog, Carquest,
TRW, or Bendix? How about continued education from a technical training
course or college?
These shingles are evidence that the technicians have taken the initiative to go
beyond the call of duty and keep up with changes in their field. Not only are they
trained in the latest technology, but they also show a serious interest and pride in
their work. They know how to fix your car. Continued education and
certifications also convey that the owner of the shop cares about the quality of
the work, because it’s usually the shop owner who foots the bill for extended
training.
Another factor to consider when choosing a repair facility is the equipment.
Does the shop have state-of-the-art equipment such as hand-held computer
scanners and diagnosis software, digital volt-ohm meters, logic probes, lab
scopes, and on-line computer systems like CAS, Alldata, or Mitchell-On-
Demand? Don’t be afraid to ask the shop if they have this equipment. These
systems and tools are necessary to diagnose and repair your high-tech car
accurately. Without them, fixing your automobile is a hit-and-miss proposition.
Sometimes it’s best to take your car to a specialist. Specialists cost more
money initially, but because they are specialists, they often know how to
pinpoint and repair certain types of problems more efficiently and effectively.
Why? Because they deal with these problems every day; thus they have the
knowledge, equipment, and information systems necessary to go directly to the
problem. While Joe down the street is busy replacing parts and floundering, the
specialist usually diagnoses with laser-like accuracy, locates the problem, and
replaces only what is necessary. Consequently, less guesswork and fewer parts
are being replaced, as well as a lot less labor time, saving you money. Don’t be
“pennywise and pound-foolish.” The cost of diagnosis is often far less than the
cost of the trial-and-error method when repairing today’s high-tech vehicles.
singke
(singke)
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