The Mail-Journal, Volume 16, Number 13, Milford, Kosciusko County, 18 April 1979 — Page 18

When yon take yniir car in before ration, talk it owr

Customer, mechanic dialog should share same wave length Talk is cheap, goes the old cliche. But when it comes to caring for your car, failure to talk can prove expensive indeed. The nation is paying needlessly an exorbitant price in wasted fuel, deteriorated air quality and avoidable accidents. One reason for this stems from a breakdown in customer-mechanic dialog. As a case in point, the average car owner tends to neglect proper maintenance of his or her car. We know that nearly 80 percent of all cars on the road today are undermaintained in areas affecting efficient use of fuel, emission control and optimum performance. Basic service lacking In addition, an unhealthy percentage of automobiles lacks basic service to assure maximum safety of operation, A major root cause of the situation can be rectified by getting the motorist and the mechanic on the same wave length. According to a U.S. government-financed study, the key to service satisfaction is effective communication . It depends on an accurate as possible description by the motorist of what the problem is. When the motorist and the mechanic understand one another, there is a high rate of customer satisfaction with the job done, the survey states. After all, an automobile can't talk. It lacks the ability to tell a mechanic what ails it. The person who drives that automobile has the responsibility to describe what the problem is, how long it has been occurring and when it occurs. The service mechanic must understand this description and provide competent maintenance guidance in return. Unreasonable expectations It is unreasonable to expect a mechanic to identify and correct a cooling system problem when you drove in complaining about the brakes. It is equally unreasonable of the mechanic to expect an engineer's explanation of a problem from average customers. To establish such communication, it is most important that the motorist keep a record of all services performed on the car. By doing so, the motorist can avoid duplication of services such as a mechanic's installing a new set of spark plugs when plugs were installed only a few weeks previously. And you, the motorist, have a right to expect these basics from your mechanic: Contact from the mechanic before work is begun, if any problem beyond the ones you complained of are discovered. The same goes for any cost estimates much beyond the original estimate. Return of any parts replaced. You may not want to keep a grease-coated set of old shocks, but you should at least be allowed to examine them. Respect from the mechanic who should never overestimate your knowledge or underestimate your intelligence. Now that the appealing time for motoring, the warm weather vacation period is upon us, getting your car in condition for the road makes sense. This newspaper section is intended to provide you with information to make you more aware of what it takes to care for your car.

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JH—IIU—,ILi ?»li—B—i Over cups of coffee, a motorist and a mechanic discuss needed service work on her car. By bringing in records of previous work done and a “diary” of maintenance she can assist the service man in a proper diagnosis of the problem. U.S. government surveys show proper communication between car owners and mechanics helps create satisfaction with the work—something that is most important during vacation travel time. „ 1980 Pontiac Phoenix THilgFOggilMMai jR why Our 5-passenger 5-door Our new Pontiac Phoenix 5-door is surprisingly roomy. There s room for five and over 14 cubic feet of cargo Or room for two and over 40 cubic feet of cargo WF with the rear seat folded down Even an available cargo cover. You'll also be impressed with the traction of Phoenix's front-wheel drive All standard. Test V drive the Pontiac Phoenix 5-door Hatchback today at PONTIAC - Also - 1980 CHEVROLET CITATION—) v Front Wheel Drive, Economy Car Both On Display April 19th Cromwell BAUGHER • WYSONG I 15 *'™’ CHEVROLET • PONTIAC