 NewsUSA) – A poll of ASE-certified automotive technicians indicated that drivers over 60 are among the most conscientious when it comes to taking their vehicles in for routine maintenance and repair. The experts at the nonprofit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) remind consumers that good communication between shop and customer can help make the repair process go smoothly.
“Professionally run repair establishments recognize the importance of two-way communications,” notes Martin Lawson, ASE’s editorial director. “Just as you would with your physician, be prepared to discuss your vehicle’s aches and pains once you are at the repair shop.” The following tips from ASE should make the repair process go smoothly: Don’t ignore what your vehicle is telling you. Look for: * Unusual sounds, odors, drips, leaks, smoke, warning lights, gauge readings. * Changes in acceleration, engine performance, gas mileage, fluid levels. * Worn tires, belts and hoses. * Problems in handling, braking, steering, vibrations. * Note when the problem occurs and whether it is constant or periodic. Stay involved; communicate your findings: * Be prepared to describe any symptoms. In larger shops, you’ll probably speak with a service consultant rather than with the technician directly. * Carry a written list of the symptoms that you can give to the technician or service consultant. * Do not be embarrassed to request simple definitions of technical terms. * Ask to be called and apprised of the problem, course of action and costs before work begins. * Before you leave, make a note of shop policies regarding labor rates, guarantees and acceptable methods of payment. * Keep a record of all repairs and service. ASE was founded to improve the quality of automotive service and repair through the voluntary testing and certification of automotive technicians. ASE-certified technicians can be found at every type of repair facility; certified technicians wear blue and white ASE shoulder insignia and carry credentials listing their exact area(s) of certification, while their employers display the blue and white ASE sign. For more information, including seasonal car care tips, visit www.ase.com. |
Seniors: Good Communication Vital to Quality Auto Repairs
Conserving Gasoline Is Always in Style
 NewsUSA) – Whether you are trying to stretch the family budget, help the environment, or lessen the nation’s dependence on imported oil, conserving gasoline can benefit most everyone.
“Using less gasoline is one of those rare win-win situations,” notes Martin Lawson, editorial director of the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), an independent nonprofit dedicated to improving the quality of automotive service and repair through the voluntary testing and certification of automotive technicians. “Families can benefit immediately while helping the environment in the long run.” Whatever your motivation, here are some gas saving tips from the pros at the ASE: Monitor tires. Under-inflated tires or poorly aligned wheels waste fuel by forcing the engine to work harder. (Let the tires cool down before checking the air pressure.) Out-of-line wheels, as evidenced by uneven tread wear, should be aligned by a professional. Remove excess weight. Remove unnecessary items from the vehicle. Store only essentials in the trunk. Less weight means better mileage. Promptly remove rooftop cargo carriers to reduce air drag. Consolidate trips and errands. Some trips may be unnecessary. Also, try to travel when traffic is light so you can avoid stop-and-go conditions. Avoid excessive idling. Shut off the engine while waiting for friends and family. Observe speed limits. Speeding decreases your miles per gallon. Drive gently. Sudden accelerations guzzle gas. Anticipate traffic patterns ahead and adjust your speed gradually. Use windows and air conditioning wisely. Your mileage should improve if you keep the windows closed at highway speeds, since air drag is reduced. This is true even with the air conditioning on — assuming that the system is in good working order. But turn the air conditioning off in stop-and-go traffic to save fuel. Keep your engine “tuned up.” A well-maintained engine operates at peak efficiency, maximizing gas mileage. Follow the service schedules listed in the owner’s manual. Replace filters and fluids as recommended; have engine performance problems corrected at a repair facility. A well-maintained vehicle will last longer, too. Given today’s high-tech engines, it’s wise to have this type of work done by auto technicians who are ASE-certified in engine performance. Repair shops that employ certified auto technicians display the blue and white ASE sign. For more information, including seasonal car care advice, visit www.ase.com. |
Auto Care Advice for College-Bound Students
 NewsUSA) – There’s one more item for college-bound students to add to their checklists before heading off to campus this fall: Make sure your vehicle is in good working condition and that routine services have been performed to minimize the chance of a breakdown during the school year, note the experts at the nonprofit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).
“Students who commute need reliable transportation day in and day out to make it to classes on time,” notes Martin Lawson, ASE’s editorial director, “while those who live on campus and use their cars less frequently could find themselves stranded in the satellite parking lot by a dead battery in cold weather.” The following tips from ASE — the group that tests and certifies automotive technicians — should help students and their parents choose a repair facility. - Start shopping for a repair facility before you need one. - Arrange for transportation in advance so you will not feel forced to choose a shop based on its location. - Look for a neat, well-organized facility, with vehicles in the parking lot equal in value to your own and modern equipment in the service bays. - Look for a courteous staff, with a service consultant willing to answer all of your questions. - Look for policies regarding estimated repair costs, diagnostic fees, guarantees, and acceptable methods of payment. - Ask whether the repair facility specializes or usually handles your type of repair work. - Look for signs of professionalism in the customer service area such as civic, community or customer service awards. - Look for evidence of qualified technicians: trade school diplomas, certificates of advanced course work, and certification by ASE. - Look for the ASE sign. It means that one or more of the technicians have earned nationally recognized certifications. For more information, visit www.ase.com. |
Summer Conditions Stress Out Autos
 NewsUSA) – Whoever said, “It’s summertime, and the living is easy,” hasn’t looked under the hood of an automobile. Stop-and-go traffic, dusty roads and air conditioners running full blast put extra stress on automotive systems.
“In today’s tough economy, motorists may be tempted to put off automotive maintenance, but neglect will cause your vehicle to wear out sooner, burn more gasoline and pollute more than a regularly serviced car,” notes Martin Lawson, editorial director of National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), an independent nonprofit dedicated to improving the quality of automotive service and repair through the voluntary testing and certification of automotive technicians. “What’s worse, a minor problem can become an expensive headache if neglected.” ASE offers the following tips to help you choose an automotive repair facility: - Start shopping for a repair facility before you need one. - Arrange for alternate transportation in advance so you will not feel forced to choose a shop based solely on location. - Look for a neat, well-organized facility, with vehicles in the parking lot equal in value to your own and modern equipment in the service bays. - Look for a courteous staff, with a service consultant or technicians willing to answer your questions. - Look for policies regarding estimated repair costs, diagnostic fees, guarantees, and acceptable methods of payment. - Ask whether the repair facility specializes or whether it usually handles your type of repair work. - Look for signs of professionalism in the customer service area such as civic, community, or customer service awards. - Look for evidence of qualified technicians: Trade school diplomas, certificates of advanced course work, and certification by ASE indicate the presence of professional, trained technicians. ASE-certified technicians wear blue and white ASE shoulder insignia and carry credentials listing their exact areas of certification. - Look for the ASE sign. Employers of ASE-certified technicians often display the blue and white ASE sign. Facilities with a high percentage of ASE-certified professionals may also be members of the Blue Seal of Excellence Recognition Program. - Reward good service with repeat business and customer loyalty. For more information, including seasonal car care tips, visit www.ase.com. |
Vacation Season is Coming … Is Your Car Ready?
 NewsUSA) – The old-fashioned auto vacation never goes out of style. It affords families with children a getaway without the expense and hassle of air travel. To make sure your road trip goes smoothly this summer, the experts at the non-profit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) recommend that you have your vehicle checked out by a professional auto technician before you head to the beach or mountains.
“Just as you would make a vacation packing list, motorists should make a checklist for their vehicle before setting out for summer fun,” advises Martin Lawson, ASE’s editorial director. “Your car’s owner manual is the perfect place to start.” The experts at the National Institute ASE offer the following tips on getting your vehicle ready for summer: - Read the owner’s manual and follow the recommended service schedules. - Flush and refill the cooling system, or radiator, according to the service manual’s recommendations. The level, condition, and concentration of the coolant should be checked periodically. Let the engine cool down before removing the radiator cap. - Have drivability problems — hard starts, rough idling, stalling — corrected. - If you are not a do-it-your-selfer, look for repair facilities that employ ASE-certified automotive technicians. ASE-certified technicians wear blue and white ASE shoulder insignia and carry credentials listing their exact areas of certification. Their employers often display the blue and white ASE sign. - A qualified auto technician should check the tightness and condition of belts, clamps and hoses. - Have a marginally operating air conditioner system serviced by a qualified technician. - Change the oil and oil filter as specified in owner’s manual. Properly dispose of used oil. - Replace other filters — such as air, fuel, PCV– as recommended. - Check the condition of tires, including the spare. Let tires “cool down” before checking air pressure. - Inspect all lights and bulbs. Replace burned-out bulbs. - Replace worn wiper blades and keep plenty of washer solvent on hand to fight summer’s dust and insects. For more information, including additional car care tips, visit www.ase.com. |
Neglected Car Service Costing Motorists
 NewsUSA) – In difficult economic times, it’s natural to cut back on spending, but the experts at the nonprofit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) advise that putting off automotive maintenance and service can cost you more in the long run, with small problems growing into more expensive repairs. For example, failure to replace worn brake pads or a faulty oxygen sensor — both relatively easy services for qualified auto technicians — can result in expensive brake rotor service or costly replacement of the vehicle’s catalytic converter, respectively.
A survey of ASE-certified master automotive technicians indicated that motorists should expect a well-maintained vehicle to last up to twice as long as one that’s been neglected. Among the more frequently neglected items, according to these certified pros, are oil changes, tire and brake service, wheel alignment, air and fuel filters and transmission service. In addition, a well-maintained vehicle gets better gasoline mileage, pollutes less, is safer to operate and commands a better resale value, notes ASE. To help consumers choose a repair shop that fits their needs, ASE offers the following checklist advice: - Look for a neat, well-organized facility, with vehicles in the parking lot equal in value to your own and modern equipment in the service bays. - Look for a courteous staff, with a service consultant willing to answer all of your questions. - Look for policies regarding estimated repair costs, diagnostic fees, guarantees and acceptable methods of payment. - Ask if the repair facility specializes or if it usually handles your type of repair work. - Look for signs of professionalism in the customer service area such as civic, community or customer service awards. - Look for evidence of qualified technicians: trade school diplomas, certificates of advanced course work and certification by ASE. - Look for the ASE sign or logo; it means the shop employs nationally certified technicians. For more information and seasonal car care advice, visit www.ase.com. |
New Year’s Resolutions For Your Car
 NewsUSA) – New Year’s resolutions can be about more than shedding a few pounds and exercising more.
Simply changing a few habits can help your vehicle last longer, command a higher resale price, pollute less and burn less gasoline. Here’s helpful advice from the experts at the non-profit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) -; the group that tests and certifies automotive technicians: - Clean out your vehicle. Remove unnecessary items from the passenger cabin and the trunk; less weight means you’ll use less gasoline. Remove that rooftop cargo carrier when you’re finished hauling -; you’ll cut down on gas-hogging wind resistance. - Check your tires’ pressure once a month. Tires with low pressure cause the engine to work harder -; and to burn more gasoline -; to move the vehicle. Poorly aligned wheels and improperly inflated tires also wear out faster, costing you money in replacements. - Follow your carmaker’s recommended service intervals. A neglected vehicle burns more gas and will break down more often than well-maintained machines. The owner’s manual spells out which systems need servicing and when. Fouled spark plugs and clogged filters waste gasoline. Routine oil changes will keep your vehicle from aging before its time. If you notice changes in engine performance, like rough idling or poor accelerations, you are due for a visit to the shop. Also, never ignore a “service engine” light. - Resolve to become a better driver. Avoid jack-rabbit starts -; sudden accelerations waste fuel and strain the engine. Speeding greatly decreases miles per gallon, so drive the speed limit. When possible, use cruise control to maintain a steady pace. Aggressive hard starts and stops wear your brakes out faster. Finally, consolidate your errands to minimize short trips. - Look for high-quality repair shops. ASE was founded as a non-profit, independent organization dedicated to improving the quality of automotive service and repair through the voluntary testing and certification of automotive technicians. ASE-certified professionals wear blue and white shoulder insignia and carry credentials listing their areas of expertise. Their employers often display the blue and white ASE sign. Visit www.ase.com for seasonal car-care tips and more information. |
Avoid Breakdowns During Holiday Travel
 NewsUSA) – Winter driving creates special challenges, which can only be amplified by the long trips many Americans will take over the holidays. To avoid unexpected problems, Mom and Dad should take their vehicle to a shop before they herd the kids into the car and head off to grandma’s.
The professionals at the nonprofit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) offer the following advice for motorists looking to pick the right repair shop. - Start shopping for a repair facility before you need one. You can make better decisions when you are not rushed or in a panic. - Ask friends and associates for their recommendations. You may be amazed at how much another person’s experience can help. - Consult your local consumer organization(s) regarding the reputation of the business. Inquire about complaints and the rate of resolution of complaints. - Look for a neat, well organized facility, with vehicles in the parking lot equal in value to your own and modern equipment in the service bays. - Look for a courteous staff, with a service writer willing to answer your questions. Be prepared to describe any symptoms, like noises, unusual leaks or odors, smoke or handling problems, or carry a written list to give to the service consultant. - Ask if the repair facility specializes in certain types of repair work. - Look for signs of business professionalism in the customer service area such as civic, community, or customer service awards. - Look for qualified technicians as evidenced by trade-school diplomas, certificates of advanced course work or on-going training, and individual technician certification by ASE. - Look for policies regarding labor rates, diagnostic fees, guarantees and acceptable methods of payment. - Keep all of your paperwork. Good records will help clear up problems that may occur later on in the vehicle’s life. For more information, including seasonal car care tips, visit www.ase.com. ASE was founded in 1972 to improve the quality of automotive service and repair through the voluntary testing and certification of automotive technicians. ASE-certified technicians wear blue and white ASE shoulder insignia and carry credentials listing their exact areas of certification. Their employers often display the blue and white ASE sign. |
