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Tips for getting your car serviced for Women

Written by

Time4mommy

in

Women usually don’t like taking their cars into be serviced. They like their boyfriends or husbands to do it because woman, or at least  I know I felt like, I was going to be taken advantage of.

Here are a few tips to help you not get taken advantage of when getting your car serviced.

Try to use professionals as much as possible

Just because you don’t know anything about cars doesn’t mean someone else does. I have seen a few women fall victim to this. Your husband’s cousin could take a look at it but your car’s health is worth it so keep it to the professionals.

Ask for a new oil filter

You may not do the work but attempt to understand what is going on. If you don’t know where your oil filter is, ask where it is and remember the color. When the work is done, pop the hood and check to see if it is different.

The oil filter is well… a filter. It collects dirty and dust, which is harmful to your engine. Putting new oil in a car and having a dirty oil filter is useless. The filter will not be able to do its job because it’s already full.

Check your tires

Just because you brought tires that are rated at 60,000 miles doesn’t mean they will last that long. You are probably going to have to get new tires every year or two. The best thing you can do after purchasing them is to look at the tread. You should see no wear. If you do, someone sold you old tires. Not only is this unethical, this is dangerous. Normally used tires are not the same quality as new ones. Most used tires have been plugged or the tread is worn. This is not what you paid for.

Get your Car’s Safety Checks

Before you head out check your fluids, wear on your tires, and wiper blades. These are all easy thing you can do yourself. The better shape your car is in the better chance the mechanic will know YOU know what you are doing.  I don’t think all car mechanics are out to get us but some are surely opportunistic. I have one ‘fill’ my car tires for me. Well he filled them up 10lbs too much. That will wear my tires down more. Naughty trick that made me NOT go back there and I let them know why.

There are things you should have the mechanic look at like your brakes and suspension safety check . These are things you probably can’t do yourself and I don’t know about you but I have precious cargo.

 

If you are Unhappy, Let the Mechanic Know

If you are unhappy with a mechanic’s service, do not hesitate to complain to them. Their response will gauge how much they want your business. If there is a problem after a repair, it is important to bring the car back and give them the chance to fix it. Too many people just become immediately disappointed or angry and take the car to a new mechanic. It also shows them they can not take advantage of you.

My biggest tip is to be educated. The more you know the more you know when the mechanics aren’t being straight with you.

 

Comments

2 responses to “Tips for getting your car serviced for Women”

  1. Nikki Avatar
    Nikki

    Thank you so much for these pointers. I think it’s important for women (anyone, really) to know at least the basics about their vehicle. As someone who works in the car industry, I would like to add/expand on your tips, if I may:

    Try to use professionals as much as possible: YES! I would suggest this so that you have paperwork to back anything up AND, depending on where you go, a WARRANTY for the parts and/or labor you pay for! Also, many newer cars require software, tools, and experience that ‘your husband’s cousin may not know about or have access to. As much as you are not going to like hearing this, I strongly suggest going to the dealer for major repairs. They deal with cars like yours ALL day, EVERY day, and can more easily identify common (and, maybe, not so common) issues with them, from the very simple to the very complicated. Also, their warranties tend to be better than the guy down the street who services all makes & models. Concerned with price? ASK for a discount or ask if they have any coupons available, for this visit or the next one. Remember: YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.

    Ask for a new oil filter: You state above ‘If you don’t know where your oil filter is, ask where it is and remember the color. When the work is done, pop the hood and check to see if it is different.’ The color of the filter, when changed, could be different or the same. I would suggest observing the dirtiness of it. When a new filter is installed, it should be fairly obvious (unless this is what you meant by ‘color’). Unfortunately, you cannot always see the oil filter just by popping open the hood. On many new cars, it may require actually removing the filter from a housing to see it, or it may be buried deep in the engine compartment and only viewable from underneath the car. Maybe a better suggestion would be ask for your old parts back. Often, there is a box or statement on the paperwork they make you sign when you drop your car off for this option. If you don’t see it or there’s not one there, tell them you want the old parts back or write it next to your signature. Please note that there are some old parts you may only be able to get back by paying a fee (called a core charge). Changing your oil on schedule is one of the EASIEST and most IMPORTANT things that you can do for your vehicle!!

    Check your tires: Yes, a ‘60,000 mile’ tire really means nothing. Tire life depends GREATLY on the condition of your suspension, your driving habits, and the quality of the tire itself. Check your tire pressure MONTHLY (always follow the suggested PSI on the sticker on your driver’s door jamb-NEVER use the PSI stated on the tire itself!) and have your tires rotated regularly (about every 6,000 miles). This will help extend tire life. NEVER EVER allow used tires to be put on your vehicle!! It is EXTREMELY dangerous!

    Get your Car’s Safety Checks: ‘Before you head out check your fluids, wear on your tires, and wiper blades.’ I would add take note of the COLOR of your fluids, check your air filter, and take a quick look at any rubber hoses. Changing wipers & your air filter may be things you can do yourself (really! They’re not that hard!) When looking at the hoses, do they appear to be dry rotting? Can you see small (or large) amounts of fluids on them, or at connecting points?

    ‘The better shape your car is in the better chance the mechanic will know YOU know what you are doing.’ Also, the more you APPEAR to know, the more the mechanic will be unlikely to try to ‘pull a fast one’ on you. Do you know the year, make, model, and engine size of your car? Do you know if it’s AWD (all wheel drive) or not? Do a little research online-you may find things out about your car you never knew!

    If you are Unhappy, Let the Mechanic Know: Absolutely. You paid good money for their services! If you can’t speak with the mechanic, tell your Service Advisor (the person who writes up your complaint). If that gets you nowhere, go to the Service Manager. Continue up the ladder of people as necessary. Still not satisfied, go to the BBB. And remember, just like any customer service situation, you catch more flies with honey than vinegar! 🙂

    Reply
  2. Sarah Avatar
    Sarah

    Wow, great post, I didn’t ever read any article like it, really I’m surprised, that’s very effective and helpful. Thanks

    Reply

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