Do you know why it is important to find a good mechanic or a good repair shop to repair your car? The reason: it could save you hundreds of dollars on parts and labor! When we say a “good mechanic” or a “good shop”, we mean mechanics that are equipped with the latest technology. You do not want to entrust your car to a workshop with outdated machinery and equipment because it will take longer to reach a diagnosis. And the longer a mechanic takes to make a diagnosis, the higher his labor bill will be!
Remember that auto mechanics charge by the hour.
Auto repairs may cover any or a combination of the following (note that this is not a complete list of repairs).
• Air conditioning checks
• Review of air bags
• Electrical wiring
• Cables
• Service and repair of clutches
• Transmission Repair
• Wheel alignment
• Hanging
• Brakes
• Heating system
• Oil and lubrication
• Drums
• Electric windows
Much of the troubleshooting that mechanics use to diagnose a problem is made easier by auto repair technology.
Have you ever noticed how some lights on your dashboard turn on when something is wrong? In most cases, an experienced mechanic will immediately know what the problem is, but there are cases where sophisticated technology will be needed to make an accurate diagnosis.
Sophisticated technology comes in many forms, and a popular one is troubleshooting software. Companies like Auto Tech have a software program that car owners can use to find out what is wrong with their vehicle.
Most car owners who were previously cynical about software programs should seriously consider purchasing a reliable car troubleshooting software program. For example, some programs start by asking you to enter the make and model number of your car, the year of the car, and what type of equipment it has. The software presents a huge database of information about all the cars on the market and the car owner simply follows the steps when prompted. It employs what the industry calls a “diagnostic tree” where logical steps take you through the entire diagnostic process.
Once you have entered your car profile, use the drop down menu to choose the symptoms your car is exhibiting. For example, if you choose “screeching brakes”, the program mimics the screeching of the brakes and if that is the sound you hear, you confirm it and the program recommends a series of steps.
You may not really want to use troubleshooting software, but imagine how much time and money you could save if you talked to the mechanic in a smart way, letting him know you’re in the know.
Students studying for certification purchase certain tools of the trade. A couple of examples are Snap On and Mac Tools. These two are the most popular in the United States and Canada.
Mechanics now have a wide range of technology tools to help them better understand car problems: digital multimeters (electronic measurement), borescopes (heat exchangers testing), fuel diagnostic testers (fuel injectors testing and balancing) and other new technologies.
New automotive mechanical technologies help shorten the learning curve and speed up diagnosis so the car owner is not burdened with too many hours of work.