The Mail-Journal, Volume 16, Number 13, Milford, Kosciusko County, 18 April 1979 — Page 20

Master mechanic’s advice:

Describe car’s symptoms as you’d talk to a doctor

By MIKE KL'RTA There is a lot of talk these days about the quality of automotive service, and the number of complaints brought forth by the motoring public. One of the reasons could be a gap in communication between the car owner and his or her mechanic. Often there is a lack of understanding as to the basic problem with the car and the reason for asking for certain service operations. This may be a result of a sketchy or unclear description of the trouble, laced with opinions volunteered by friends and neighbors, and-handed over from owner to service writer, to foreman to mechanic. Here are some tips on how to talk to your mechanic: First of all. if you try to imagine a patient taking his ills to a medical doctor, you will understand more clearly what your mechanic faces when he looks under the hood of your car. The difference is. your car can’t tell him where it hurts, so you must be your car’s voice. ’ Keep records. That means any and all previous service receipts should be kept in a folder in your glove compartment. They should be ready for instant inspection in the event of a warranty question on tires, batteries, mufflers, etc., and it will give your mechanic a running history of your car’s maintenance routine. Have these available when you arrive at the garage and offer to produce them if needed. Unnecessary work can often be avoided by checking back to see when the last job was done. Write things down. Many shops like a grocery list of items you want done, and it also helps you to remember things you might forget when you bring your car in. If you have a particular problem, take time to write down the symptoms you have noticed. When did the problem begin? Have you had it before? Does it make noise? Does it happen when the engine is cold in the morning? Is there an odor? All descriptions are welcome and any clue you can provide your mechanic may be the one he needs to arrive at an accurate diagnosis of your car’s problem. It has often happened that

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just one point of information by the owner .steers the mechanic down the right road to locate the trouble. Stick to the facts. Try to refrain from too much hearsay and opinion which tends to be misleading and might result in the wrong thing being fixed. Don’t be afraid to take time and explain in careful, thorough detail what you want. You don’t have to be a mechanic to describe that cough, squeak, or Plain language will do. After all. who knows your car better than you? If you have an intermittant problem, one that is not present all the time, such as a rough running engine or a balky transmission, try to arrive when the trouble is there, so you can demonstrate it. There’s nothing more frustrating to a mechanic than to try to locate a toothache that has disappeared.. If necessary. offer to take him on a road test so he can see first

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hand what the problem is. And be sure to leave your telephone number in case he needs to call and consult you further about the symptoms. One car owner even brought in a tape recording of the noise the car made, but only at certain times. Silly as it seemed, this method led to the correct repairs being made, and the problem was solved. In short, be sure your mechanic understands the problem. Make a list of the car’s needs and symptoms, and convey these things to him as clearly as possible. Try radials If you’re in the market for new tires—and are trying to cut gasoline consumption at the same time—you might give a thought to purchasing radial tires. While the initial cost will be higher than for regular tires, tests have shown that both steel and rayon belted

radials increased gas mileage by up to 10 percent while im-

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proving car handling characteristics.