Don’t let your holiday travels be interrupted by a roadside breakdown. Mechanical failure in the wintertime can be deadly, so it’s important to have your vehicle checked out thoroughly at a trusted shop before cold weather sets in.
Here are tips on choosing a repair facility from the nonprofit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), the group that tests and certifies automotive technicians.
* Start shopping for a repair facility before you need one.
* Ask your friends and associates for their recommendations; consult local consumer groups.
* Arrange for transportation in advance so you will not feel forced to choose a shop based on its location.
* Look for a neat, well- organized facility, with vehicles in the parking lot equal in value to your own and modern equipment in the service bays.
* Look for a courteous staff, with a service consultant willing to answer all of your questions.
* Look for policies regarding estimated repair costs, diagnostic fees, guarantees and acceptable methods of payment.
* Ask if the repair facility specializes or if it usually handles your type of repair...