How to talk to your mechanic
Despite hours of rehearsal, John improvises a nondescript point at the engine seconds before the staged photo was taken. Image courtesy of hontech.com
When going to any mechanic, but especially to a new mechanic, you want to be assured that you will receive an accurate assessment of your car's problems, and that you will get the best deal on the repairs you need. A great way to ensure that you will be treated fairly by any auto technician is to familiarize yourself with your car, its repair history, and the signs of distress displayed by your vehicle. Remember that the auto technician is a professional, and contrary to popular belief, most of them did not go into the business to swindle people.
Before you even take your car into the shop, make a comprehensive list of any issues you've had with your car, and how long they've been manifesting. For ease of description, make sure to use the terms “driver's side” and “passenger's side” instead of “left” and “right.”
Even if you can't pinpoint the origins of certain sounds, smells, or smoking, for example, try to describe them as best you can. You should also make a note of the circumstances when these symptoms occur. For example, if you only hear that clunking noise while turning, or a squealing when you brake, you'll want to write that down; it will cut down the time that the mechanic needs in order to successfully diagnose the problem, thereby saving you money.
If your car has recently been worked on, bring in a list of the repair receipts rather than trying to recall all of the auto work from memory; this can help the mechanic narrow down what your car's problem may be.
Don't be afraid to look up what the symptoms of your car trouble might mean, and familiarize yourself with the car parts which may be affected. Take the time to listen carefully after your auto tech tells you the source of the problem with your car, and don't be afraid to ask the mechanic to explain any jargon used or the function of any auto components mentioned. While some auto techs may try to get you to replace additional parts in order to optimize performance, you do have the right to opt out of repairs.
If you feel that you have an issue about the necessity of a replaced or repaired part, do not argue about price or make accusations. Instead, simply ask to take your service elsewhere or discuss the price before the repair is actually done.
—Seth Berger
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