We’ve all been there. There’s nothing worse than trying to explain that “grinding” or “squealing” noise coming from under the hood to the skeptical auto mechanic at your neighborhood auto shop. At best, he’s going to turn around and joke about you with his buddies – at worst, he’ll recommend a list of repairs you don’t need, but don’t know you need to the tune of several hundred dollars.
Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be that way! More and more mechanics are coming around to realize that women represent a significant revenue base for their shops, and there are a number of things you can do to prepare yourself for your next auto maintenance trip.
Get to Know Your Car
First, spend some time with your car’s owner’s manual. Most manuals include diagrams and descriptions of your car’s major parts and systems. You don’t need to memorize what each part is and what it does – it’s enough to get a feel for what each system does and how it works with others in the car. Then, you’ll know to call “BS” on a mechanic who recommends replacing parts in systems that aren’t currently causing any problems.
If you have any questions about what a part is, or what it does, you can speak with a more mechanically-minded friend or ask online. There are plenty of car-specific discussion boards online, as well as general question and answer websites, like Yahoo Answers. However, take any advice you receive with a grain of salt – there’s a chance that the person dispensing recommendations isn’t any more qualified than you are to diagnose auto problems.
Find a Mechanic You Trust
If you’ve been burned before, you might find it hard to believe that there really are honest, reputable mechanics out there. However, if you don’t like the mechanic you currently use, find another one! Many women feel obligated to keep working with the mechanic they’ve always used, but remember, you’re the consumer – you have every right to take your money to another shop that treats you respectfully.
The best way to find an honest mechanic is to ask for recommendations. Ask at work, ask your friends, or ask online if you can’t find advice elsewhere. Many cities and towns have their own online message boards – check to see if your local newspaper has a forum section on its website where you can ask members of your community for recommendations. If you can’t find good advice, go to a different shop until you find one you’re happy with.
Don’t be Afraid to Ask Questions
No matter how much research you do, you won’t know everything about your car and how it runs unless you take the time to attend auto mechanic school. So when your mechanic recommends a repair that you don’t understand, ask questions until you know what’s going on. A good mechanic should be willing to walk you through the repair and answer any questions you have until you’re satisfied with the response. A great mechanic will show you the problem so that you can see for yourself what needs to be repaired. If all you get is vague responses and unclear explanations, take your car to another shop!
