CARSON, Calif., Oct. 21, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Reflecting the
reality of the cars on today's roads, AutoMD.com has updated its
list of Ten Really Expensive Auto Service and Repair Mistakes to
Avoid to include older vehicles (over 100,000 miles) and
hybrids.
"The age of vehicles on the roads today is at a record high,
more and more consumers are driving electric/hybrid vehicle models,
and nearly half of consumers say they spend $500 or more on auto repairs a year (with 1 in 6
spending $1,000 plus)," said
Brian Hafer, VP of Marketing for
AutoMD.com. "So avoiding costly repair mistakes is key, whether
vehicles have the newest technology or are well past middle age,
which is why we put together this updated list of 'mistakes to
avoid.'"
The tips show that, for the most part, the same rules apply to
all vehicles; for example, keep up on preventative maintenance,
make sure you do your research and don't neglect your tires or
warning lights. But, Hafer noted, there are special tips that
hybrid and 100K+ vehicle owners should heed.
AutoMD.com's Top Ten Really Expensive Auto Service and Repair
Mistakes:
Mistake #1: NEGLECTING YOUR FLUIDS.
Cost:
$1,000s
Gas/Diesel
|
Hybrid/Electric
|
Vehicles over
100K miles/10 + years
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
Ignoring fluid levels and simple preventative maintenance, like
changing the engine oil and filter, could damage major components
such as the engine, costing thousands of dollars in repairs. Other
important fluids car owners should check include transmission
fluid, engine coolant, power steering fluid, brake fluid, and
windshield washer fluid.
Hybrid Alert: Fluid maintenance jobs also need to be done
on hybrids. Always remember to check your hybrid's Power Control
Unit coolant, and if it's low, fill it with long-life coolant.
High-Mileage Alert: The engine oil level should be
checked more often on high mileage vehicles.
Mistake #2: NEGLECTING YOUR BELTS AND HOSES
Cost:
$1,000s
Gas/Diesel
|
Hybrid/Electric
|
Vehicles over
100K miles/10 + years
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
Drive belts and hoses should be inspected every 30K miles or
every two years. Old belts can slip, squeal, and eventually break.
Aging hoses can cause fluid and vacuum leaks which affect engine
performance. When a drive belt or coolant hose fails, the car
becomes inoperative and may cause severe engine damage.The timing
belt is a perfect example of this, and should be replaced at the
manufacturer's recommended interval.
High-Mileage Alert: Because they are made of rubber, age
as well as mileage can affect belts and hoses, so check them more
often on older high mileage vehicles.
Mistake #3: NEGLECTING YOUR TIRES.
Cost: More gas
$$$ + tire replacement ($140 -
$600+1), and loss of safety (priceless!)
Gas/Diesel
|
Hybrid/Electric
|
Vehicles over
100K miles/10 + years
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
Driving on underinflated tires can shorten tire life, increase
tire wear and lead to significant damage from heat, potholes, and
other road hazards. If the tire fails completely, you could lose
control of the vehicle! And don't be tempted to get more mileage
out of your tires than they can safely give by driving on them when
they are bald. Driving on bald tires can reduce vehicle traction
and lead to an accident. Driving with the correct tire pressure is
also very important. Car owners should set their vehicle's
tire pressure based on the specifications outlined in the owner's
manual. If the car has a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS),
initialize it after the pressure has been set. Be sure to rotate
your tires every other oil change (7,000 – 10,000 miles).
Hybrid Alert: Keeping your tires inflated to the proper
pressure can improve gas mileage by up to 3.3 percent, a key
concern to hybrid owners who tend to be very focused on gas
mileage.
Mistake #4: IGNORING DASHBOARD WARNING
LIGHTS.
Cost: $1,000s! Loss
of safety(priceless!)
Gas/Diesel
|
Hybrid/Electric
|
Vehicles over
100K miles/10 + years
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
Dashboard warning lights are just that, warning lights! Pay
attention to them – they could be warning you about a serious
maintenance problem that could lead to expensive repairs or unsafe
driving. Be sure to read the owner's manual and familiarize
yourself with the different warning lights on your car's dashboard–
Check Engine Light, Oil Light, Temperature Light, Brake Light –
what they mean and what action you should take for each. For
example, a blinking Check Engine light indicates a severe misfire
that could damage your car's expensive catalytic converter.
Ignoring the oil and temperature lights can result in an engine
replacement meaning thousands of dollars out of your pocket.
High-Mileage Alert: Older vehicles may not monitor as
many systems, which means you need to rely on other visual signals
and keep on top of your service visits.
Hybrid Alert: Hybrid and electric vehicles have so many
bells and whistles on their dashboards that they practically have a
conversation with their owners every day… but too many bells and
whistles can make owners complacent, so be sure to keep on top of
your hybrid's maintenance schedule, after all those computers can
make mistakes as well.
Mistake #5: IGNORING NOISES
Cost: $1,000s
Gas/Diesel
|
Hybrid/Electric
|
Vehicles over
100K miles/10 + years
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
It's pretty simple, whatever your vehicle: never ignore unusual
noises like squealing, grinding, clicking, or knocking. Don't just
drive through it thinking it might go away, it could be a safety
issue or symptom of a problem that could cause greater and more
expensive damage to your vehicle. You can go online to a diagnostic
site like AutoMD.com to see what that noise might be a symptom of,
but best practice is to get it checked out by your mechanic!
AutoMD.com lists a number of trustworthy service shops that can
diagnose your vehicle - look for the "AutoMD IQ" badge in the
shop's profile.
Mistake #6: DRIVING ON FUMES.
Cost:
$225+2
Gas/Diesel
|
Hybrid
|
Vehicles over
100K miles/10 + years
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
Most cars on the road today have electric fuel pumps mounted
inside the fuel tank. Back in the 70s and 80s, when cars had
carburetors, you could drive until all the gas was gone, re-fuel,
and drive again with no problem. However, most of today's vehicles
(including those with 10 years + and over 100,000 miles on them)
have fuel-injected engines that rely on in-tank electric pumps that
use gas to cool and lubricate its components. Driving your
fuel-injected engine frequently on fumes could cause the pump to
fail, leading to a repair costing hundreds of dollars.
Hybrid Alert: Because hybrids can operate on gas alone
- they essentially have two 'gas' tanks, the batteries that
power the electric drive system and the conventional gas tank that
fuels the gasoline engine – so they also need to heed this warning!
Just because the hybrid is getting great gas mileage and has that
electric drive, do not forget to keep that gas tank full.
Electric vehicles need not worry, just keep plugging them
in!
Mistake #7: VISITING REPAIR SHOP/SERVICE CENTER
WITHOUT KNOWING WHAT TO EXPECT
Cost: $$
Gas/Diesel
|
Hybrid/Electric
|
Vehicles over
100K miles/10 + years
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
Whatever your repair issue, with the amount of excellent
information available online, there is no excuse for entering a
repair shop/service center uninformed. From online consumer reviews
to diagnostic tools to estimates of how much repair jobs should
cost and how long they should take, a wealth of empowering – and
cost-saving - information is at your fingertips. And you don't have
to wait until something goes wrong, you can find a good repair shop
today, just by looking. For example, AutoMD.com lists a number of
trustworthy service shops (look for the "AutoMD IQ" badge in the
shop's profile), as well as offering consumer reviews, repair
estimates and more.
High-Mileage Alert: Chances are high mileage vehicles
will need more visits to the repair shop, so knowing what the costs
will be and having a trusted mechanic is critical.
Hybrid/Electric Alert: This relatively new
technology can intimidate some car owners, but online information
(and user groups) abound on how these vehicles work, how to get the
best mileage from them and how/when to replace batteries/fuel
cells. For example, fueleconomy.gov is one of many excellent
resources.
Mistake #8: FAILING TO PROPERLY COMMUNICATE YOUR REPAIR
ISSUE.
Cost: Time and $$ at the repair shop: Labor rate
is $40-$200+/hour!3
Gas/Diesel
|
Hybrid/Electric
|
Vehicles over
100K miles/10 + years
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
If you can't describe the problem effectively, your mechanic
will spend more time diagnosing (meaning more labor costs for
average, older, and hybrid /electric cars) and may come to the
wrong conclusion! Write down what you hear, feel, see, and smell
before you arrive and keep a log of exactly when the symptoms occur
(for instance, when you're braking or when you're driving over a
certain speed), and share this with your mechanic. Also, note the
location and frequency of the symptoms, and any recent repairs -
sometimes a problem is related to the last repair. You can also go
online to get help diagnosing your car's problem and see the
questions you'll need to answer when speaking with your
mechanic.
Mistake #9: NOT ASKING FOR YOUR PARTS BACK.
Cost:
Unnecessary $$
Gas/Diesel
|
Hybrid/Electric
|
Vehicles over
100K miles/10 + years
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
If a part needs to be replaced on your car, always ask for your
old part back; simply ask the mechanic to place the old part in the
new part's box. Unfortunately, some dishonest repair shops may
charge you for work that was not done or repairs that are not
necessary. Asking for your old parts back confirms that the new
part was actually installed, and it keeps the mechanic from
replacing a part that is still good. This applies to all vehicles,
always!
Mistake #10: ACCEPTING THE FIRST REPAIR SHOP
QUOTE.
Cost: $$$!
Gas/Diesel
|
Hybrid/Electric
|
Vehicles over
100K miles/10 + years
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
When it comes to a major auto repair, get a second opinion...
and a third and fourth one. Comparing shops and prices can ensure
that you get the best service at a fair price for your repair. And
today it is easy - sites like AutoMD.com instantly serve up
comparative quotes from local repair shops online. So, before
authorizing work, go online to read reviews and ratings, and get
online or phone quotes.
Hybrid Alert: When researching repair quotes for hybrids,
keep in mind that for major jobs such as replacing an engine or
transmission, you should go to your dealership service center
because they have access to hybrid-specific repair codes and
training. Service to any of the hybrid systems should only be
performed by technicians who are certified.
About AutoMD.com
AutoMD.com™ (www.automd.com), a majority-owned subsidiary of
U.S. Auto Parts Network, Inc., (Nasdaq:PRTS), is the most
comprehensive and unbiased free online automotive repair resource
designed to empower car owners with the best way to repair their
vehicles. Backed by a team of automotive data specialists and
certified auto mechanics who are advocates for the car owner,
AutoMD.com allows both car owners and DIYers to 1. Get instant
comparative quotes on repair jobs from local repair shops, 2. Find
the right local auto repair shop at the right price for their
issue, 3. Know how much auto repairs should cost, 4.
Troubleshoot car problems, 5. Get auto repair questions answered by
the AutoMD.com community, and 6. Understand the steps needed and
the time it should take with How-to Auto Repair guides. AutoMD.com
was named Best Automotive Website in the 8th annual
American Business Awards, also known as the Stevie®
Awards.
Contact:
Media Relations
Melanie Webber, mWEBB Communications, (949)
307-1723, melanie@mwebbcom.com
Elizabeth Johnson, mWEBB
Communications, (213) 713-4865, elizabeth@mwebbcom.com
1According to Consumer Reports, an all-season tire
can run $35-$80,
ultra-high-performance tires can run $90-$160 and tires for SUVs and pickups can run
$55-$125
(http://www.costhelper.com/cost/cars/tires.html)
2Experts at AutoMD estimate an engine replacement
could run as high as $4,500
3Labor Rates available at www.automd.com/shops/;
range shown is in zip code 90746
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visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ten-really-expensive-auto-service-and-repair-mistakes-to-avoid-circa-2014-149497068.html
SOURCE AutoMD.com