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How to Help Your Mechanic
Or, Easy Steps for you to Improve Your Auto Care

This Guide is intended to provide helpful information. This Guide is not a substitute for professional Automotive Service advice, care, diagnosis or repair, and is not designed to promote or endorse any Auto Service practice, program or agenda or any Automotive tests, products, repair or procedures. The Guide may not be completely accurate and does not contain information about all automotive service problems, nor does it contain all information that may be relevant to a particular Automotive service or repair condition. KwikTUNE^TM KwikLUBE^TM shall not be responsible or liable for any loss or damage of any sort incurred as the result of the presence of, any dealings with, or any participation in promotions of advertisers found in this Guide.

If you have or suspect that you have an Automotive service or repair problem, you should contact your professional Auto Care provider. You should not under any circumstances disregard any professional Automotive Service or Repair advice or delay in seeking such advice in reliance on any information provided in the Guide. Your reliance on any information contained in the Guide is solely at your own risk. Information provided in this Guide, including information regarding automotive additives, has not been evaluated or approved by any agency.

You should consult your automotive service and repair provider before beginning any course of automotive service or repair.

THIS GUIDE IS BEING PROVIDED “AS IS,” WITHOUT ANY IMPLIED OR EXPRESS WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.

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From the Technicians of www.kwiktune.com

The service, repair and other automotive content presented here was produced entirely by Mechanics and Technicians. But it is not just for automotive service and repair professionals. It was designed to be of use to everyone concerned about automotive service and repair and for their automotive service and repair for those that matter to them. The fact that the content is Mechanic or Technician produced by www.kwiktune.com  ensures an unusual degree of professional expertise, reliability, and perspective that is sensitive to the needs of people facing automotive service and repair issues.

Automotive technology is a field that is advancing rapidly on many fronts and its language and terminology is continually evolving. In today’s automotive service and repair industry, there is constant communication between and among both consumers and providers of automotive service and repair. There is consequently a particular need for contemporary automotive service and repair content of high quality. In the modern day complex automotive service and repair environment, customers, their service and repair mechanics or technicians and allied auto service and repair professionals must be able to effectively discuss the ever-changing aspects of automotive service and repair and it's related technology. An accurate understanding of Automotive service and repair terminology can assist that communication and thereby improve automotive service and repair care for customers, as well as help to alleviate their concerns.

We hope that you will find this content a valuable addition to your library. This information is current as of the print date. We invite you to visit us on the Internet at http://www.kwiktune.com  for updates.

Sincerely,

The Automotive Service and Repair Guide Editors
www.kwiktune.com

During the past decade, we have witnessed unprecedented advances in Automotive knowledge and technology. Many new automotive service and repair procedures are becoming available for both the repair and prevention of automotive service and repair problems. Newly developed tests are not only more accurate, but are also quicker and more tolerable than the older techniques. Some conditions that formerly required major repairs and prolonged repair procedures are being corrected by minimally invasive procedures with a same-day or an overnight repair shop stay. The exciting pace of innovation of Automotive service and repair shows no sign of letting up.

Meanwhile, many Customers, Mechanics and Technicians alike are disenchanted with the automotive service and repair delivery system. Additionally, many Customers feel that they are not receiving the timely and quality care they deserve. We recommend that you print these pages out and discuss the following questions with your Mechanic or Technician.

You can help your Mechanic or Technician by organizing your Automotive service and repair history prior to your visit.

Here is how:

1. Pay attention to your automotive driveability symptom(s). What is the location, duration, and character of the symptom? What brings them on? What aggravates them? What relieves them?
2. List all your drivability symptoms as accurately as possible and bring them with you to show your Mechanic. That way, if there are questions about the symptoms and/or problems, there is no confusion.
3. List prior and current Automotive conditions such as tires squealing, engine backfire, smoke emission, brake noises, etc.
4. List prior services and/or repairs performed. Bring any automotive service and repair and procedure records documents in your possession.

1. What do you think is causing my problem?
2. Is there more than one condition (repair problem) that could be causing my problem?
3. What tests will you do to diagnose my problem?
4. What are the immediately apparent underlying conditions present?
5. How accurate are the tests for diagnosing the problem and the conditions?
6. How safe are the tests with respect to the risk of damaging other related parts or adjustments?
7. What is the likely course of this condition or problem?
8. What is the long-term outlook with and without service or repair?
9. What are my service or repair options?
 

a. How effective is each service or repair option?
b. What are the benefits versus the risks of each service or repair option?

10. If my problems or symptoms worsen,

a. What should I do on my own?

b. When should I contact you?

Arriving at an accurate diagnosis and optimal repair often takes time and may require repeated visits and tests. Be patient and communicate with your Mechanic or Technician. Here are some suggestions:

1. Do not stop prescribed automotive maintenance services or specialty products on your own, even if your symptoms have resolved. If your supply runs out, ask your Mechanic whether you should obtain a more.

2. If the prescribed repair is not helping you, or is causing side effects, inform your Mechanic or Technician right away. He/she may have to rethink the diagnosis and/or change the repair.

3. If the Mechanic cannot offer you a firm diagnosis or help you with your symptoms despite repeated visits, it is OK to ask for another opinion. Most Mechanics and Technicians will be glad to help their customers solicit second opinions or specialty consultations.

4. Always ask your Mechanic or Technician about your test results. Never assume that everything must be fine if you do not hear from the Mechanic’s or Technician's office.

5. Inform your Mechanic or Technician if you are using alternative products or non-prescribed products because some of these products may adversely interact with your prescribed services and/or products.

6. Educate yourself with credible and authoritative Automotive Service and Repair information. Increasing your own knowledge about the characteristics of your particular problem(s), can benefit you, your family, and your Mechanic.

7. Information about your automotive service and repair condition may be provided by your Mechanic or Technician.

8. You can also find valuable information on the Internet. Be certain to look for credible Web sites.

Ask your Mechanic or Technician for a simplified explanation of the type of repair or procedure, technique used, and why it should be performed. (Pictures and drawings tell customers a great deal.)

Ask the Mechanic or Technician about their experience with this repair procedure, its outcome, and the service bay or setting in which the repair will be performed.

Is the procedure being done to relieve a driveability problem, diagnose a condition, correct a maintenance problem, replace a bad part, for cosmetic reasons, or what exact purpose?

a. What are the less intensive Automotive Service and Repair procedures available to help the condition?

b. What will/might happen if the repair is not done?

c. If the repair is not done at this time, can it be done later?

d. What are the advantages and disadvantages of not doing the repair now?

What exactly are the expected or possible benefits of doing the repair or procedure?

a. What are the problems, complications, or conditions that are the risks of performing the repair procedure?

b. What are the risks of the type of tear-down procedure to be used?

c. What are the possibilities for finding underlying or hidden problems not immediately apparent at this time?

A second opinion is very reasonable for an elective repair. This will not be a problem with the first Mechanic who will recognize this as commonplace. Second opinions can reassure anxious customers (and family members) to make the whole process easier for all involved.

Below are links to additional information available on kwiktune.com.

The Mechanic/Technician produced articles on KwikTUNE^TM KwikLUBE^TM are:

• Reliable and objective -- each article is written, edited, and reviewed by more than one ASE Certified Mechanic or Technician.

• Customer friendly -- articles are written by Mechanics and Technicians in easy-to-understand language.

• Comprehensive -- Mechanics and Technicians not only present technical knowledge, they also explain how they make service, repair and diagnostic decisions.

• Relevant -- Mechanics and Technicians select articles and news items that are technically relevant.

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