Auto Repair Guide

Modern vehicles are sophisticated machines, with much more technology then cars made just 10 years ago.  Many modern cars have features such as automatic emergency braking, radar, front and rear cameras and infotainment systems. Engines are more complicated with turbochargers, direct fuel injection, and cylinder deactivation. New transmission technology such as continuously variable transmission (CVT) and dual clutch transmissions.

• Choosing Your Repair Shop
• Car A/C Repairs
• Emergency Repairs
  • Overheating
  • Engine oil pressure problems
• Hybrid Vehicle Repair and Maintenance Tips
• Electric Vehicle Maintenance Tips

Choosing Your Repair Shop

Repairs to modern and older cars can be very costly and no one likes to waste money on poor workmanship, a misdiagnosis, or unauthorized repairs. The best way to avoid these kinds of problems is to find a reputable repair shop. Look for a repair shop before you need one, so you don’t have to rush into a decision when an emergency happens.  Here are some tips on finding and choosing the right shop:

1. Talk to family, friends or co-workers to get recommendations about a repair shop they trust.
2. Search the repair shop’s complaint records with the Office of Consumer Protection, Consumer’s Checkbook Magazine and the Better Business Bureau.  If the shop you are considering does have a few complaints registered against it, does it have a good record of resolving those complaints?
3. Look for a shop with experience working on the same automobile model and make as yours. Many shops today are specializing in repairing certain makes of cars because it is easier to stay up on repairing one or a few brands then many.
4. Find a shop that has technicians with good credentials, updated knowledge and skill. Some shops display ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certification, which indicates the technician has met basic standards in a specific technical area. You can also check for shops that participate in the AAA (American Automobile Association) auto service program. But be careful; a tech who has passed an ASE test or received other certification may not necessarily be outstanding or even honest.
5. Are they willing to answer your questions? Do they convey a positive, professional image?
6. Ask the shop for the names of customer references; then contact them.
7. Look for a shop with a clean and well-maintained service area.

For any major car repair, you should always get a second opinion. Then get repair cost estimates from a couple of other shops. Some facilities charge for estimates, so ask if there will be a fee.Most auto repair shops set their fees for repairs by using a flat rate manual, which lists the cost of a specific repair for your make, model and year of car. However, it doesn’t hurt to try to negotiate a lower price. Many shops will match a competitor’s estimate.

Auto repair shops often advertise special prices for services such as oil changes, brakes or alignments. Call and ask if the advertised price is what you will be charged. A shop advertising a service for $99.95 may offer that price only for certain cars, but charge more for trucks or SUV’s.  Always ask if any price, including an advertised price, includes all fees. Most shops charge “shop fees” or “environmental impact fees” that can add a few dollars or a percentage of the total cost to the final bill.

Taking the time to find an auto repair shop with a good reputation, getting second opinions, asking for written estimates, and asking ahead of time about additional fees can help you have a good car repair experience.

Car Repair Law

Montgomery County Code 31-A governs Automobile Repair and repair businesses in the County.  Maryland state Commercial Law, Title 14, Subtitle 10 also applies.  Here is a summary of the laws:

• Estimates for work over $25.00 must be given upon request, and the final bill must be within 10% of the estimate unless the customer is notified. County Code §31A-10
• Authorizations (whether written or oral) are required. MD Commercial Law §14-1008
• Used, or rebuilt parts are to be identified in the estimate. The customer's description of the problem, or requests for repair are to be included.
• Labor charges, service charges, charges for release of the vehicle in the event that it is not repaired, charges if any, for making the estimate are to be stated prior to making the estimate.
• A detailed invoice identifying the customer and vehicle, including the odometer reading, is to be provided upon completion of repairs.
• The invoice is to be signed by the merchant. The technician is to be identified, terms or limitations of the warranty must be stated, and replaced parts are to be offered, except parts returned to the manufacturer under warranty.
• Parts to be rebuilt, called "core" parts, can be returned, but the consumer will have to pay the charge the shop would receive as credit. If you do not want to pay the core charges, most repair facilities will let you see the parts before they are sent back, as long as arrangements are made before the job is accepted. See Montgomery County Code §31A-13; MD Comm Law §14-1004.
• Notices are to be posted advising consumers of their rights, and the shop's policy on storage charges. No storage charges are due for a period of twenty-four hours from the date of completion of the repairs, unless otherwise agreed.
• Not all disclaimers are enforceable. Merchants are responsible to take reasonable care of your vehicle, though a Court may have to make the decision of what is "reasonable".

Having repairs made by another shop will complicate your complaint, and in many cases, will result in the need to pursue the matter through Court. Give the repairing shop a "reasonable" number of attempts to correct problems.
Keep the replaced parts, and your receipts, then contact the Office of Consumer Protection if you need assistance.  For more information, see “ Motor Vehicle Repair, Maintenance & Towing” page.

Car A/C Repairs

Montgomery County Code 31-A governs Automobile Repair and repair businesses in the County.  Maryland state Commercial Law, Title 14, Subtitle 10 also applies.  Here is a summary of the laws:

• Estimates for work over $25.00 must be given upon request, and the final bill must be within 10% of the estimate unless the customer is notified. County Code §31A-10
• Authorizations (whether written or oral) are required. MD Commercial Law §14-1008
• Used, or rebuilt parts are to be identified in the estimate. The customer's description of the problem, or requests for repair are to be included.
• Labor charges, service charges, charges for release of the vehicle in the event that it is not repaired, charges if any, for making the estimate are to be stated prior to making the estimate.
• A detailed invoice identifying the customer and vehicle, including the odometer reading, is to be provided upon completion of repairs.
• The invoice is to be signed by the merchant. The technician is to be identified, terms or limitations of the warranty must be stated, and replaced parts are to be offered, except parts returned to the manufacturer under warranty.
• Parts to be rebuilt, called "core" parts, can be returned, but the consumer will have to pay the charge the shop would receive as credit. If you do not want to pay the core charges, most repair facilities will let you see the parts before they are sent back, as long as arrangements are made before the job is accepted. See Montgomery County Code §31A-13; MD Comm Law §14-1004.
• Notices are to be posted advising consumers of their rights, and the shop's policy on storage charges. No storage charges are due for a period of twenty-four hours from the date of completion of the repairs, unless otherwise agreed.
• Not all disclaimers are enforceable. Merchants are responsible to take reasonable care of your vehicle, though a Court may have to make the decision of what is "reasonable".

Having repairs made by another shop will complicate your complaint, and in many cases, will result in the need to pursue the matter through Court. Give the repairing shop a "reasonable" number of attempts to correct problems.
Keep the replaced parts, and your receipts, then contact the Office of Consumer Protection if you need assistance.  For more information, see “ Motor Vehicle Repair, Maintenance & Towing” page.

Emergency Repairs

Do your warning lights come on when you turn on the ignition? They should. If not, they will not come on if there is a mechanical emergency. If your vehicle has gauges, they should operate as mentioned in the owner’s manual.  If not, make sure to have these items fixed as soon as possible.
Overheating
The following symptoms should cause you to suspect trouble before the warning system activates:

• Loss of power
• Valve clatter when accelerating
• Steam
• Smell of antifreeze (sweet)
• Coolant leaks (usually green, red or orange)

Regardless of weather, turn on your heater. Move the temperature control to "Hot" with the blower on "High". If the heater only blows warm air, it indicates low coolant. Without enough coolant to operate the heater, the temperature gauge, and or warning lights are not reliable. Driving even a short distance with an overheated engine can cause severe damage, so driving will be risky since the warning system will be unable to advise you of excessive temperatures.
If the temperature light comes on, or if the gauge reads "Hot," STOP THE ENGINE!
Do NOT operate a vehicle while overheated or with low coolant. 
NEVER add (or allow another person) to add coolant to a hot engine!
Thermal shock can destroy (crack the engine block) your engine. Only add coolant when the engine is cool enough to touch by hand without discomfort. If the heater works, it means you have coolant but you will still need to observe the warning indicators and stop the engine if the temperature light comes on or if the gauge reads hot. In some cases you could notice a reduction of temperature from the additional cooling provided by the heater. This could be an indication of a restricted, or inefficient radiator.
Engine oil pressure problems
Oil is the life blood of your engine, without the engine will fail.  What are some signs that your car has engine oil pressure problems?

• Oil warning light, or gauge reading low.
• An increase in engine noise or tapping.
• Burning smells.
• Oil leaks (brown).

IF THE OIL LIGHT COMES ON OR THE PRESSURE GUAGE READS LOW STOP THE ENGINE AND CALL A TOW TRUCK!
If the oil light has not come on or the oil pressure gauge is not reading low, find a safe level place to stop. Check the oil level using the engine oil dip stick. Add oil if needed. If the oil level is touching the stick, and the oil light or gauge are normal driving a short distance at low speeds to obtain oil should be possible without excessive damage. If the oil level is below the stick DO NOT START THE ENGINE. Call a tow truck, and have it checked at a shop.
The cost of towing will be far less than the cost to repair the car, and the cost to correct the failure will be much less than the damage you will do driving the car in an overheated or low oil condition.

Hybrid Vehicle Repair and Maintenance Tips

Every vehicle needs some regular maintenance in order for it to run properly. If you own a hybrid, you may wonder if it costs more to maintain than a traditional car. In general, the maintenance costs are in-line with “regular” cars, but there are some things you should be aware of in terms of potential additional costs.

When hybrids first hit the market, drivers were often forced to bring it to the dealer for repairs. Most mechanics were unfamiliar with the proper way to repair hybrid vehicles, so it cost drivers more to have them repaired. Today, more auto repair shops are able to work on hybrids, which has brought the cost of repairs down. Just be sure that you take your hybrid to a local shop that has the understanding and experience needed to repair not only hybrid vehicles generally, but your make and model specifically.

With most hybrid cars, no special regular maintenance is needed on the hybrid system. There is, however, always the possibility that some part of the special hybrid system, most often the large battery pack, will fail. Hybrids sold today usually have warranties on the hybrid system that are good for eight years/100,000 miles or 10 years/150,000 miles. Hybrid components have been shown to have a much longer lifespan in testing and in real-world conditions. Toyota, for example, reports that its battery packs have lasted for more than 180,000 miles in testing. A large number of Hybrid taxicabs in New York and San Francisco have logged well over 200,000 miles on their original battery packs. But if you're unlucky and your car's hybrid battery dies after you've passed those milestones, the costs can be substantial. The good news is that most manufacturers have reduced the price of a replacement hybrid battery. In the early days of hybrids, the batteries could cost as much as $8,000. Today, expect to pay between $2000 and $3000 plus labor and tax. Another factor in battery prices is battery recyclability. More recycling means lower costs because the raw materials for batteries don't have to be mined and refined each time. Used and remanufactured batteries cost between $1000-$2000 plus labor and tax.

Overall, routine maintenance can potentially be less with a hybrid car. When you drive at low speeds, the gas engine shuts down and the electric motor takes over. This translates into a lot less wear and tear on your gas engine. Oil changes are even less frequently needed than they are on a traditional vehicle. This is because most hybrid manufacturers don’t recommend oil changes until you reach every 5,000 miles or longer depending on vehicle use. Most modern vehicles are now equipped with some type of maintenance reminder system that indicates when service is needed, but always check your owner’s manual for the manufacturer maintenance schedule. Your brakes may last longer too since the hybrid uses a regenerative braking system with less heat. Your brake pads and other brake components should typically last longer.
In general, your hybrid vehicle should not cost much more to maintain than a regular car. In general, with better gas mileage and lower wear and tear, your hybrid should last a long time with less out of pocket expenses.

Hybrid Vehicle Safety Precautions

Hybrid vehicles do come with some added safety precautions over “regular vehicles”. Always read your owner’s manual before attempting to service or jump start a hybrid vehicle and for what to do if you are involved in a crash.
As an example, below is the safety warning from the first page of the Warranty and maintenance Guide for a 2019 hybrid vehicle:
Your [vehicle] has both high-voltage DC and AC systems as well as a 12-volt system. Both DC and AC high voltage are very dangerous and can cause personal injury, severe burns, electric shock and even fatal injury. To avoid personal injury, please follow all caution labels attached to high-voltage parts.   Do not touch or attempt to remove or replace any high-voltage (orange-colored) wiring   and connectors. Do not touch the service plug located in the driver’s side trim of the trunk. If an accident occurs, do not touch any high-voltage wiring, connectors or parts such as the inverter unit or hybrid vehicle battery assembly. Do not touch the potassium hydroxide electrolyte that might spill or leak from the hybrid vehicle battery as the result of an accident. If potassium hydroxide electrolyte gets on your skin or in your eyes, neutralize it immediately with a saturated boric acid solution (ratio: 80 grams boric acid to two liters water). Seek immediate medical attention. If a vehicle fire occurs, extinguish it with a Class D powder-type fire extinguisher.

Electric Vehicle Maintenance Tips