The ABC's of Auto Repair

Few things send a chill down the spine of the average car owner like the thought of repairing their car. A large percentage of car owners know nothing about auto repair, are skeptical about car mechanics and what they charge, and really feel quite insecure when something goes wrong with their beloved auto.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. With a little research and some well-spent time shopping around, apprehension can be minimized if not completely eliminated. So let’s start with some basic information, something every car owner should know. A general rule of thumb is that dealerships charge more for repairs than independent repair shops. The second truth is that the major portion of car repair cost is labor. You can count on labor costing somewhere between $60-$90 per hour. This is based on a flat rate table which is in turn based on the year, make, and model of your vehicle. Some engines are simply more difficult and time-consuming to work on than other engines, so the cost is higher for those vehicles.

Any car owner should ask for an estimate before agreeing to a repair job. And for goodness sake make sure that the mechanic is certified by the National Institute for Auto Service Excellence. If the repair shop won’t give you an estimate or their mechanics aren’t certified kindly thank them and move on down the road. There are too many repair shops to choose from to blithely settle for less than you deserve.

The other option, and one many people do not avail themselves of because, quite frankly, they are afraid to do so, is do the repair yourself. Obviously there are some repairs that the novice should never attempt. Replacing a clutch if you don’t even know what a clutch looks like is probably not a good idea. But what if you simply need a hose or belt replaced? Why pay several hundred dollars for a repair you can do yourself? In this internet world today a person can learn all they need to know simply by searching the web for the necessary information, manning themselves with a screwdriver and wrench, and working up the courage to forge ahead.

Go buy the used car part yourself. Shops like Auto Zone or O’Reilly’s have just about any part you need, or for greater savings head to a U Pull It salvage yard and pick and pull your own part for savings up to 60%. Then take the part home, read the internet instructions, and replace that hose or belt with confidence and the knowledge that you have saved hundreds of dollars in repair bills.

Repairing your own car, especially minor repairs, is not rocket science. There is no reason to allow fear to prevent you from saving your hard-earned dollars and doing the repair yourself. And just think of the feeling of satisfaction when you finish the job and you can drive by the auto repair shop, grinning all the way.