While some car repairs are easy to do yourself, some jobs are either too complex or require specialised tools, making it difficult, time consuming and even dangerous to do them yourself. In which case, it’s necessary to visit an experienced mechanic. Here are seven warning signs that you might need to book a service:
Steering and suspension problems: Steering problems are potentially very dangerous as your car won’t perform as you expect during an emergency. For this reason, it’s best to see an experienced mechanic as soon as you notice a problem.
Engine warning light: Modern cars include a whole host of sensors that measure and monitor hundreds of systems in your car. If they get a result that doesn’t fit within pre-set parameters, the engine warning light will appear on your dashboard. The light will flash to warn you if there is a serious problem. Either way, there’s no need to panic, just take your car to your local garage for a diagnostic to discover what the issue is.
Leaks: Your car is designed to store and use the fluids that you put into your car – fuel, oil, coolant, etc. In other words, if you notice a leak from anywhere in your car, it’s a good idea to get your car serviced as soon as possible. Not only could this potentially save you a lot of money in repairs, it could also prevent harm to animals from being poisoned by the leaked fluids.
Even if you take great care of your car, an issue is likely to pop-up from time to time. When that time comes, everyone needs a car mechanic they can trust.
Reduced driving comfort: Reduced driving comfort is often a sign of problems with your suspension. You might notice your car is riding low, hear tyres rubbing on the wheel arch or you might have problems driving over speed bumps. If you notice any of these signs, it’s recommended to go and see a mechanic quickly.
Many of us have had bad experiences with car mechanics, but there’s always a good one out there; you just need to find him. Whenever you’re looking for an online car mechanic near you, take advantage of the resources listed below.
The Mechanic’s Files
For starters, you can use the Mechanic’s Files site to lookup the biggest database of car repair shops and mechanics reviews available online. To find a mechanic, you only have to input the distance you’re willing to go to get to the shop and your location. Furthermore, you can use additional filters (name, type of services) to refine your search.
The Better Business Bureau
The Better Business Bureau is an excellent source of information for any type of business. The BBB’s official site holds customer satisfaction scores and reviews for mechanics and auto repair shops, besides a vast amount of other companies.
To search the Bureau, all you have to do is the type of business and your location. The site will then list local mechanics and repair shops, including a BBB rating for each one.
The AAA Approved Auto Repair Network
AAA (The American Automobile Association) is a group of North American motor clubs with a huge member base that turns to the AAA website to help find mechanics online.
The AAA offers a large number of verified and reputable mechanics and shops. After inputting your location, the maximum distance you want to travel, and other filters, you will get a list of matching results.
Another great benefit of AAA is that members can learn about discounts and an estimating tool for repairs that considers car types, your location, and what needs to be repaired.
The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)
Auto repair shops and mechanics looking for a well-recognized professional certification use this organization, and the highest certification possible is a blue seal. Getting certified is not easy, so you can expect to find many highly-skilled mechanics and shops on this website.
If you’re looking for a mechanic, you can use ASE’s website to search for those that have blue seal certification. Besides other filters, searching involves adding your location and how far you want to travel. From there, you can check when a shop is open, what services they provide, and where they are located.
Conclusion
Besides using the site we listed, you should also talk to any new mechanic that you’re thinking about using. Ask them specific questions related to your vehicle and problems to check their experience, or find out what’s their specialty.
Using the online car mechanic sites listed above will prevent a lot of headaches caused by unskilled and dishonest shops or mechanics.
Before you hand over your car keys, make sure you compare offers and do thorough research. Fortunately, you can find out everything you need to know online quickly and easily.
Sources
- “Mechanic Files,” Car Talk,
https://www.cartalk.com/mechanics-files - “BBB: Start with Trust,” Better Business Bureau,
https://www.bbb.org/ - “AAA benefits for international members travelling to the United States,” AAA,
https://www.aaa.com/International/ - “Technicians,” Automotive Service Excellence,
https://www.ase.com/Home.aspx
