Car Repair: Maximize Your Experience by Knowing these Four Things

At Shade Tree Garage, we take the customer experience very seriously. Your satisfaction is our utmost priority. We want to make sure your car is fixed right. We also want to make sure your experience is top-notch. The way we do that is by communicating with you throughout the car repair process. As it is with any type of business, there are common questions that come up when car owners bring their vehicles in for repair. We are always happy to answer any questions you may have about your vehicle and its repair. This blog post will focus on providing answers to the most frequently asked questions about car repair.

Question #1 – Why is there a charge for diagnostic testing?

Your vehicle is a sophisticated machine and can have 6 or more computers controlling how each component in your engine operates. Diagnostic testing goes beyond taking a look under the hood and reading the codes from a scan tool. Our certified auto technicians combine their years of experience along with the use of specialized equipment to determine what is causing your vehicle to operate less than optimally.

To demonstrate further – A customer brings her vehicle in because the check engine light is on. The scan tool lets our technician know there is an issue with the oxygen sensor. If we stopped there and replaced the oxygen sensor, you may drive out and a few days later the check engine light will come back on. Because an issue with the oxygen sensor could be coming from a number of faulty parts, we need to continue with the diagnostic process. We check the output of various electrical signals and analyze the data against the symptoms this customer described when she dropped off her vehicle. It can sometimes take an hour or more to diagnose a problem with the engine.

This video from the Car Care Council explains it perfectly > https://youtu.be/08Jy-w06ZSU

Question #2 – I already know what’s wrong with my car. Why can’t you just give me a repair estimate?

Our highest priority is to fix your vehicle right… the first time you bring it in to our auto repair shop in Morristown, NJ. Because we want to make sure any estimate we provide is as accurate as possible, it would be unprofessional for us to give you a price without looking at your vehicle, especially if the repair work is complicated. Let me ask you a question. If your dentist provided you with a quote for some dental work, would another dentist provide you a quote over the phone without taking a look at your teeth first?  It’s in your best interest to have us look at your vehicle before we provide you with a written estimate.

Question #3 – What can I do to help facilitate the repair process?

The more you can tell us about what you are experiencing with your car, the better able we will be to diagnose the problem. The easiest way to do this is to write down any symptoms ahead of time. If you notice any odd sounds, funny sensations or strange smells, let us know. Does your car hesitate? Are you having problems starting your car? Make note of it and tell us when you drop off your vehicle. It’s equally important to make sure you leave the best phone number on which we can reach you. If we aren’t able to get in touch with you, the repair work on your car will be delayed.

Question #4 – How long will take to complete the repair on my car?

It all depends on the complexity of the problem and when we receive your approval to do the work. As soon as we get the go-ahead from you, we will let you know how long we think the job will take. And remember, if transportation becomes a problem, we can provide free local transportation to your home, office or the train station. If you prefer, we can make arrangements to pick up your car from your home or place of business. We also have rental cars on site.

The best way to avoid car repair issues and their associated expenses is to make an investment in preventive maintenance. Don’t delay any repair work. Doing so, could make a small problem turn into a big one. Need to schedule service or repair with Shade Tree Garage in Morristown, NJ? Click here.