How I saved Naoya T. $4799.00

Last week someone told me about a friend who had his car at an large auto repair shop—one that is part of a chain that sells tires, auto parts and accessories, and repairs cars. He had a 1998 Ford Taurus with a little over 125,000 miles on the odometer. He brought the car into the shop because the check engine light was on. He left the car there and later received a call with the bad news.

He was notified that he had a blown head gasket, needed spark plugs, spark plug wires, a radiator and hoses, fan belt and an idler pulley. He was told the total cost of the repairs would be $5,299. I spoke to his friend and asked him to have this person contact me so I could help him. He contacted me and gave me the information about the car. I asked him if it would be okay if I helped him with the situation. He told me it was okay and was very pleased to have me there to help him.

I called the auto repair facility myself and asked what was going on with the vehicle. I was informed about all the needed repairs, and I asked some questions. First I asked “how did you determine that the head gasket was blown?” Their reply was “We did a block check where air is taken off the top of the radiator and checked for signs of exhaust.” They told me that the vehicle had failed the block test. Next I asked them if they did a compression test on the motor, and if they did what the results were. Their answer was that they did do a compression test, but their technician had not written the results down. This is where a big red flag went up. If any mechanic is going to go through the process of doing a compression test, they are going to write down the results.

I contacted Naoya T. who owns the car in question, and asked him some questions about the car. Was it overheating? No, he answered. Was there any steam or smoke coming out of the tail pipe? Again, no. But the check engine was on? Yes.

I was notified by the shop it was at that the code from the engine computer was for one of the cylinders not firing right. It caused what is called a misfire code. That happens when one of the cylinders on the engine is not developing as much power as the others. It sets a code for whatever cylinder is not working properly. This one happened to be cylinder #3.

I had him bring the car to me personally so I could check it out. What I found was that the check engine light was on and the engine lacked power. I also found that the engine coolant was very dirty and low. The fan belt was normally cracked and the idler pulley was slightly wobbling.

I removed all the spark plugs for inspection and found no signs of engine coolant on any of them. I also inspected the spark plug wires to see if there were any burn marks where they might be leaking or arcing. They looked okay to me, but they looked to be the original wires. I had asked Naoya to supply me with a set of spark plugs and wires so I could replace them, but the chain store gave him the wrong parts. The spark plug wires did not match the original wires, and I didn’t want to take a chance with the spark plugs if they supplied the wrong wires. So I called up Naoya and asked him if it was okay if I picked up the parts myself so I could be sure we had the right ones which he gave me authorization to do.

Having gotten the correct parts, I installed the new parts and tested the car. It still ran badly and had the misfire code. I replaced one more part called the Coil Pack and the engine ran smoothly. I reset the check engine light and test drove the car. Everything seemed okay.

The things that you need to check if someone tells you that your car has a blown head gasket is; 1) is it running hot? Most of the time a motor with a blown head gasket will run hot and boil over. 2) When you check the engine oil, does it look like chocolate milk? When the coolant mixes with the oil in the engine crankcase, it really looks like foamy chocolate milk.

3) If you remove the oil filler cap, does it also look like a brown goop is on the bottom of the cap? The moisture in the oil will collect on the bottom of the oil filler cap. When water and dirty oil mix, they make a brown goop.

4) Is there a large quantity of sickeningly sweet smelling steam coming out of the exhaust? Engine coolant releases this type of smell from the exhaust when it is burnt in the engine.

If you could answer yes to more than two or more of these questions, then there is a great possibility that your car has a blown head gasket. Naoya’s car had none of these symptoms. I replaced the parts needed on his vehicle for $120.00 retail. I also fixed his ignition switch by replacing a worn out key for an additional $22.00. His whole total was $142.00. If he had taken his car to a reputable shop they would have charged him approx 4 hours of labor. Figuring the labor at $95.00 per hour, that’s $380.00 + 120.00, for a total of $500.00. His whole total savings would have been $4799.00. So if a shop gives you an outlandish estimate like this one, get a second opinion. But also find a reputable shop that isn’t going to rip you off by going to the list of the LAAutoReferral Certified Shops at www.laautoreferral.com.

LA Auto Referral is an innovative search website dedicated to providing detailed information on the most qualified auto shops in the Los Angeles area. Run by automotive consumer advocate Alan Cohen, LA Auto Referral performs a multi-step pre-screening process and a 10 step certification procedure on every dealership and garage listed. LA Auto Referral is committed to helping each consumer eliminate car-related stress and anxiety by providing Certified Shops, professional independent service shop reviews and expert advice.

The Importance of Value in These Tough Times

In these tough times the money crunch is felt by everyone. That’s why looking for value in everything you buy is so important. One of your biggest investments is your car, and getting value in servicing, repairing and maintaining it is crucial. Using a reputable repair shop, body shop, or tire store is of the utmost importance. So let me tell you about a couple of ways in which you can find value while servicing or repairing your car. Saving money by going to a shop that gives you the lowest price doesn’t always make it the best value. How are they able to provide you with a lower price? Where are they cutting costs?

When it comes to value, price is not the only thing to take into consideration. Is the person working on your car a certified technician? A technician who has received an ASE Certification has spent the time to learn as much as they can about the different operations of your vehicle. They have passed extremely difficult tests to receive their Certification and proudly wear the ASE patch. The ASE Certified technicians probably get paid more than non-certified mechanics, but their knowledge is priceless. They have the knowledge to properly diagnosis and repair your car the first time. In the automotive business, there are parts changers and technicians. The parts changers throw parts at your car until it’s fixed, the technician diagnosis your problem and fixes it replacing only what is necessary. As far as I’m concerned, that is a better value.

Another place where value comes into play is the quality of the replacement parts the shop is using. Are shops cutting costs by using the cheapest parts available to them? I’ve seen many places where they do that, but they don’t pass the savings onto the customer. You end up paying full list price for inferior parts. But a high quality, honest shop will provide you with the best parts they feel are needed for the job. Some shops even offer different levels of repair, leaving it to you to decide what level you want. You might want to use the best parts and do the most complete job, which is usually the best value. Or you might want to cut costs because of your circumstances at the time. Whatever the case may be, you should have a choice.

When I was much younger, I worked in an auto parts store in Granada Hills. It was owned by a man who was a self made millionaire. He started with one store and built his business up to nine. He sold the group of stores and retired at an early age. But he didn’t like retirement. He opened up a small store and hired me to be his Assistant Manager. I learned a lot from him, it was almost like he was my mentor. I’ll never forget what he used to say, “I’m too poor to purchase something cheap.” This was a millionaire telling me this. It sunk in, and stuck with me ever since. He was teaching me value. If you go for something cheap, chances are it is not going to last and you‘ll have to replace it. But if you buy something of value, that is better made and slightly more expensive, chances are it will last longer and be less expensive than buying the cheap thing twice.

Would you get a plumber, a painter, or a doctor without asking someone for a recommendation? Then why do you take a chance with your car? By using an LA Auto Referral, Inc. Certified Shop, you can rest assured that the shop you are going to has passed our stringent pre-screening and certification process before they are listed on our website, www.LAAutoReferral.com. We do your homework for you. So your best value when it comes to servicing your car is to use a high quality shop that employs ASE Certified technicians, and uses the best quality parts. They should give you with choices on the different levels of repairs available, and let you make up your own mind.

CRACKING THE PROMOTIONAL AD’S CODE

Yesterday I received an advertisement in the mail from a local dealer. In this ad, there were coupons that had explanations and pricing for a Minor Service, an Intermediate Service, a Major Service, maintenance minder A, and maintenance minder B[1].

Let me start off by saying that services have changed on vehicles. It used to be that at 7500 miles a vehicle had a minor service, at 15,000 miles it had an intermediate service, and at 30,000 it had a major service. Each service required more maintenance, so it cost more money. In the last few years, the vehicle manufacturers have required less maintenance on the newer models than older models. Take into consideration that one model vehicle may have a different requirement for maintenance than another. For example, a vehicle with front wheel drive has a different maintenance schedule than the same model with all wheel drive.

The advertisement I received quoted a price for a Minor Service as low as $81.95. They tell you what the lowest price is, but what is the most it can cost? This is where the deception lies. You get this promotional ad in the mail, and you’re “thinking that’s a great price.” You go in to have the service done, get the invoice and you’re surprised at what the total came out to be. And you wonder”what happened?” Did they just rip you off? The answer is no, they didn’t rip you off; you just didn’t read the ad completely. The ad states: “most models, some vehicles higher. Please call for details.” It also states: “plus tax and hardware charges.” Of course, everybody knows about the tax, but what are the hardware charges and how high are they? The hardware charges might be any nuts, bolts and washers needed for the service. It might be the fluids added to the vehicle like windshield washer fluid, oil additives, or fuel additives. It might be spray cleaners used during the service to clean any spilled fluids. All this can add up, making the service cost more money than the advertised price.

I also received in this ad a coupon for an Intermediate service starting at $121.95, and a Major Service starting at $232.95. These might be great starting prices, but what is it really going to cost to do the service? What if I need to have the engine air filter replaced, or the cabin filter replaced? How much is that going to cost? Are there any additional services needed that are not included in the specials that are going to jack up the price? On the coupon for the Major service at the very bottom is stated: “Some vehicles require additional services such as: HEPA filter, cap, rotor, wires, and fuel filter”. But it doesn’t state how much these might cost. Again, what is the bottom line going to be?

When you take your car into an independent shop, they might quote a price that is higher than the ad’s quoted price, but it includes everything. I spoke with Steve Summer, Owner of Automotive Instinct a LAAutoReferral.com Certified Shop. He told me that “the dealers use a low price to get you into the door.” At independent shops, the price they quote might be higher than the dealers advertised price, but it includes the whole service. So you’re really saving money taking the car to the independent shop, because they’re giving you the bottom line pricing from the beginning.

So, if you find these advertisements misleading, they are. They don’t really tell you how much a service is going to cost. They just tease you to get you in the door, and then they take you for a ride. This can be avoided by calling first and seeing if the quoted price is for your car and if there is going to be any additional charges over and above the quoted price. When you make that call you need to know what the service history on your car is, how many miles it has, and if it’s telling you that service is due on the maintenance minder if you have one. Given this information, any good service advisor/manager should be able to give you a maintenance price quote. It all comes down to reading the fine print. Educate and protect yourself.

LA Auto Referral is an innovative search website dedicated to providing detailed information on automobile experts to experienced and novice consumers alike. Run by automotive consumer advocate Alan Cohen, LA Auto Referral performs a multi-step pre-screening process and a 10 step certification procedure on every dealership and garage listed. LA Auto Referral is committed to helping each consumer eliminate car-related stress and anxiety by providing Certified Shops, professional independent service shop reviews and expert advice.

---

[1] For those of you who do not know what a maintenance minder is, it’s the thing on your dash that says

you have 15% oil life left. It will then change to 10%, 5%; then it tells you that you are due for a service. On some makes, it even tells you what service you are due for.

Your car is in for service at a local dealership or independent shop. You receive a call telling you that additional services are needed. How do you know if the additional services are needed or not? As you will see, it’s as simple KNOW. So let see how this works.

Knowing the vehicle’s service history, how often was the oil changed? When was the last time the air filter last replaced? When were the transmission fluids changed or flushed and the filter replaced?

Now, how the car is usually driven. Does it get driven 1 -2 miles to work and back every day? Or is it driven 25 miles each way to work? Is the car usually driven in stop and go traffic, or is it on the open highway? Does the vehicle get driven slowly all the time to save gas, or is do you often accelerate quickly to meld with traffic?

Okay, what kind of additional service is being recommended? Is it an engine coolant change? A brake pad replacement or a fuel injection flush? A coolant change is a preventive maintenance item. Brake pad replacement is a safety issue. And a fuel injection flush is a fluff job, meaning it’s not always necessary.

When you know all this it’s easier to make a decision on whether or not to do the additional services. A vehicle’s service history helps because it not only keeps a vehicle running properly, it also saves money. How can servicing a vehicle save money? A properly serviced vehicle breaks down less often. It also runs more efficiently which uses less fuel and that’s good for the environment.
How a vehicle gets driven is an integral part of the equation. A vehicle that only gets driven in short trips needs to be serviced more often . A vehicle driven on short trips or in stop and go traffic all the time needs to have the engine oil changed every 6 months or 3000 miles. I would recommend using synthetic motor oil with this type of driving, but change the oil once a year no matter how many miles it’s driven. If the vehicle is driven long distances all the time, it can go 5000 miles on regular motor oil and 7500 miles on synthetic motor oil. It all comes down to this—does the engine warm up completely? How long does it get driven once it’s warmed up? The longer you drive with a warmed up engine, the better it is for the car.

Another thing is, what is being recommended. If the mechanic finds a coolant leak and the radiator hoses or water pump need to be replaced, this seems necessary. If the brakes need to be replaced, ask them if they could tell when the brakes were replaced last (or better yet, check your own receipts)! If approximately the same amount of miles has passed since the last time the brakes were replaced, then it seems like a necessary recommendation. But if they recommend a fuel injection flush and the vehicle has low mileage, this would be deemed unnecessary.

So let’s add all this together and see what we get. Know the service history of your vehicle. Now, take into consideration how the vehicle is usually being driven. Okay, what kind of additional service is being recommended? When this is all put together, you KNOW what to do.

For example: A shop is recommending a safety item or regular scheduled maintenance on a vehicle. The service history has been checked, the recommended services have not been done in a while, and the vehicle is driven normally. In this case, the recommendations seem necessary.

But what if the recommendations made were for fan belt replacement and a fuel injection flush in a vehicle that has 45,000 miles on it and is 4 years old? Neither of these services has been performed before, and the vehicle is running smoothly before it went in for maintenance. The fan belt replacement is necessary because four years is usually the lifespan of fan belts. But if the engine was running smoothly before it went in for service, the fuel injection flush is unnecessary.
Tire rotation is something that should be done between 5,000 and 10,000 miles, depending on the vehicle type. Some shops will recommend a tire rotation and balance . If the vehicle is driving smoothly and no vibration is felt through the driver’s seat or the steering wheel, then a balance is not needed. Since a tire rotation is usually part of a service, and a rotation and balance can cost anywhere from $45 to $100, you can save money by not authorizing the wheel balance.
When is it time to do a fuel injection flush? When a vehicle has high mileage (100,000 miles or more), and is idling or accelerating roughly, then a fuel injection flush would be recommended. It might not fix the problem, but it wouldn’t hurt.

If you purchase a used vehicle with high mileage I would recommend doing a complete maintenance just after the purchase. Have the oil changed, and maybe an engine flush at the same time . Have the engine coolant flush. Replace the spark plugs and install a new fuel and air filter. Have the timing belt replaced if it has one, and while they are replacing the timing belt, have the water pump replaced . You might also consider having the fan belts replaced at this time since they are already removed to replace the timing belt .

So figuring out if you really need to spend that extra money on those recommended services is as easy as KNOW. If you still have doubts, you could possibly have a second opinion, ask a friend or go to www.LAAutoReferral.com where there are more articles like this that will educate and help protect you.
WWW.LAAutoReferral.com does your auto service shop selection homework for you. Run by automotive consumer advocate Alan Cohen, they put each shop through a multiple step pre-screening process, then a 10 step certification procedure just to qualify for a listing on LAAutoReferral.com. They help you the consumer, eliminate your stress and anxiety, by providing LA Auto Referral Certified Shops, and professional independent service shop reviews.

Water condenses inside the engine when it’s cold. Driving a vehicle only for short trips does not allow for hot engine to boil the water out of the oil. This water mixes with the exhaust gases inside the motor and makes sulfuric acid which etches away integral parts of the engine like the bearings. It also creates sludge inside the motor. A vehicle that gets driven long distances allows the heat of the engine to boil out the water, and combat the sludge buildup.
Tires are balanced because the rims and the tires are not always perfectly round and might have a heavy spots. The balancing counteracts the heavy spots making the wheel (a tire mounted on a rim) roll smoothly. If a vibration is noticed while driving a vehicle at a certain speed, it might need a wheel balance. The vibration would be noticed between speeds like 40-45 miles an hour as an example. It would start at the lower range then go away at the higher range.
An engine flush consists of having the engine oil drained, the oil filter removed, and having equipment attached to the engine that sends warm pressurized solvent through the whole engine whenever oil would be. This cleans out all the sludge, grime and dirt inside the engine.

This would be recommended because #1 with the timing belt removed the water pump is easily accessible. Doing this saves money because there is far less labor to replace the water pump at this time than it is to do it at a later date when the timing belt is has to be remove again. #2 if the engine coolant is being changed at this time, new coolant doesn’t have to be used again when replacing the water pump at a later date.

All this is called overlapping labor. If a part like a fan belt has to be removed to replace a timing belt, and it’s been used for 3-4 years replace it. There is no additional labor to do this because it’s already off.

Traveling Around Los Angeles

I travel all around the Los Angeles area going from Ventura to Orange County to spread the word about LAAutoReferral.com. While at these shows I always take my camera and hand out cards for my business. In the process I meet some wonderful and interesting people. At the Canyon Country CA Route 66 car show in late July, I met a gentleman by the name of Angel. Everyone and every car has a story, Angel’s car is a 51 Chevrolet sedan that was originally owned by Wally Dallenbach of racing fame. It had the original six cylinder engine that had been modified my Mr. Dallenbach. Angel is a member of an all Hispanic car club that resides in the Lancaster area. They are a very giving group of car enthusiasts who are there for their friends and neighbors. I will be doing a complete story about Angel and his car club in an article that I will publish on my website www.LAAutoReferral.com.

Copy and paste this link to my web albums http://picasaweb.google.com/LAAutoReferral. Every week I am going to at least one car show, and will be adding more pictures all the time. Angel’s Picture can be found in the Route 66 album.

LaAutoReferral.com is LA’S best source for automotive service. Each shop listed on the website has gone through a certification process. They are there because of their merit, and fine customer handling skills. I highly recommend these shops.

The Ventura Show 2008

August 14, 2008 The Ventura Show 2008
I recently found out from my friend Eddie at World Class Motoring that the 2008 Ventura Show was going to be at the Ventura County Fair Grounds September 13 and 14. So what’s great about the 2008 Ventura Show? It’s the 15th annual German Auto Fest which is a Porsche show. Anything that has to do with Porsche is OK with me. I don’t know anyone who’s an auto enthusiast like me that doesn’t picture themselves behind the wheel of a 911, a Boxster, or a Cayman. It says you’ve made it; you’re on top of the world.
There is more Porsche’s per-capita in Southern California than possibly anywhere else in the world. So where better a place to see hundreds, maybe thousands of Porsche’s than the beautiful Ventura County Fair Grounds. All makes and models, all years from the beginning to today will be there.
The show which had been previously run by Bob Campbell for 14 years before is now being taken over by World Class Motoring because Mr. Campbell is changing his focus to other things. Bob Campbell will help with the transition of the show from his company German Auto Fest, to World Class Motoring, making it as seamless as possible.
World Class Motoring which is located in Agoura Hills, has been in the business of selling automotive related items for many years. They started out as a catalog based business and have recently opened their store. They have years of experience in working at automotive shows, and will be using this experience to run the Ventura Show 2008.
I’m looking forward to being there, to see all the vendors, displays and cars. I plan on taking my camera to document the proceedings in my own fashion. Last year the main event was Turbos On Main Street. There was a swap meet, Saturday’s People’s Choice Concours, Sundays’ Crazy Concours, daily seminars, a car sales corral and more. This year the main event will be early 911’s On Main Street. And like last year there will also be many other things happening. Larry Crane of Auto Aficionado magazine is helping out to get together the people who are going to speak at the event. And there is a rumor that there might be some of the Martini & Rossi Porsche race cars at the show. As of yet the rumor has not been confirmed.
If you would like some additional information about the show, these are the email contacts: vendor spaces and inquiries: doug@worldclassmotoring.com, general questions and information: eddie@worldclassmotoring.com, sponsorship opportunities and club participation: fred@worldclassmotoring.com .
World Class Motoring’s address is:
5067 Chesebro Rd. Agoura Hills, CA 91301
Their Ph # is: (800) 986-4977 & (818) 706-9999
Fax # is: (818) 708-9990
www.worldclassmotoring.com

Alan Cohen President: LA Auto Referral, Inc.
www.LAAutoReferral.com
Contact: info@laautoreferral.com

Detailing, Keeping it Clean

Everybody has their favorite product that they use and swear by. They use it because it works, and don’t want to try something else. I’m not that way, I’m not afraid to step out of my comfort zone and use something new. I’m always trying new products to see how they work. But one product that I’ve tried and keep coming back to is Klasse All In One and Klasse High Gloss Sealant Glaze.
Klasse products are made in Germany and have been on the market for a long time. The All In One product is a cleaner/polish protector. It is used to remove impurities from the paint and put a sealant to protect the paint. Klasse High Gloss Glaze Sealant puts a protective covering over the paint sealing and protecting it from bird droppings, tree sap, industrial fall out and everything else.
To properly prep the paint before any cleaning or polishing, rinse the car off with a pressure washer. This will help remove some of the surface contaminates. An electric pressure washer is good enough for home use. Not only will it use ¼ of the water you would use with a hose, it helps save the environment by producing less waste water. Next use a clay bar product like Meguiar’s C-2000 Professional Detailers Clay with high quality car wash soap like Prima Mystique Concentrated Car Wash. Using a car wash mitt or sponge to soap up one section of the car, then rub the clay bar over the soaped up area removing the surface impurities from the paint. After finishing the clay bar, rinsing off the car off with the pressure washer and dry it with micro fiber towels. The first thing you’ll notice is how smooth the paint feels. Please note, only use the clay bar to prep the vehicle for polish or wax. Using it after waxing or sealing the paint will remove all the wax or sealant.
After finishing with the washing, it’s time for the All In One. This is used as a polish to prep the paint for the sealant/wax product. Make sure you follow the directions on the bottle. It can be used with a buffer/polisher, or by hand. Do one section of the car at a time. You don’t have to wait for the All In One to dry before it is removed. This stuff is so good; it removes water spotting from paint. I cleaned up a car that had bad water spotting on one side. With a little bit of work, it removed the spotting making it ready for the Glaze.
Klasse High Gloss Sealant Glaze is an acrylic formula designed for new car paint or oxidation free surfaces. That’s why it’s important to first clay bar the paint then use the All In One. The Glaze is applied by hand using a cotton or micro fiber wax applicator. USE IT SPARINGLY!!!! Using too much makes it difficult to remove. It’s better to apply several light coats than one heavy coat. Cover the whole car with the product and let it set up for at least one hour before removing. To remove the Glaze, get a spray bottle with water and lightly mist one area. Use a clean uncontaminated micro fiber towel to remove the Glaze, and then go over that area again with another clean micro fiber towel polishing the surface. For the best results, apply several coats, the more coats you use, the deeper the shine becomes. I use three coats of the Glaze on my car at a time.
After you have finished, you will notice how much easier it is to keep your car clean. It can now be washed using one damp towel and one dry towel. Wipe one section down with the damp towel following up with the dry one. Nothing sticks to the paint any more. The cleanup is very easy.
All these products are available at our Store at http://www.laautoreferral.com

Auto Repair, How To Avoid Getting Ripped Off

Auto Repair, Avoiding Rip Offs

It’s that time again. Your car’s maintenance light came on, so you called the service advisor you’ve always gone to. You pull into the dealership’s driveway he greets you with his familiar southern drawl. He gets the information from your car, and leads you into his office. He writes up a repair order and gives you an estimate. He tells you when your car will  be completed and provides you with a loaner car. Your repair order is signed and your on your way. Later in the day you got a call that your car was done. You drop off the loaner, go to the cashier, pay for and picked up your car. It was running great, everything was fine. Right? Wrong, you were just ripped off again!

What if I told you the service advisor you have blindly trusted for many years just ripped you off? He’s  sold you your third major service in two years.  If you had checked your owner’s or maintenance manual you would have found that all you needed was an oil change. In the manuals the order of the services are spelled out: 1) oil change, 2) minor service, 3) oil change again, 4) intermediate service, 5) oil change, 6) major service. Then the program starts over again.

Having known this information would have saved you hundreds of dollars in maintenance bills. So what can you do to protect yourself? Educate yourself on what maintenance is needed on your vehicle and ask questions if you’re not sure.

According to the Bureau of Automotive Repair, part of the California Department of Consumer Services, which is the watch dog of California’s auto repair industry, these are the things you need to look for when selecting a repair shop:

• Neat, well-organized service floors
• Modern equipment
• Clearly posted and easily explained policies regarding labor rates, guarantees, and methods of payment
• Courteous, helpful staff
• Service manager who is willing and able to answer your questions
• Qualified technicians

Look for indications such as Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certifications, or advanced training certificates. Other marks of professionalism include memberships in the Automotive Service Council or

Better Business Bureau as well as AAA- approved auto repair status.

It’s your responsibility to keep a service history on your vehicle and see that you are having the proper services performed. Being educated on what maintenance is required on your vehicle is very important.

Another thing you can do is go online and check for automotive repair referrals services like the new www.LAAutoReferral.com. There you can find reputable shops that have been recommended by your community and friends. These shops have been carefully checked for clean, well-lit facilities, courteous staff, properly trained technicians, the latest tools, and proper licensing.  They go through LA Auto Referral, Inc. certification process before being listed.

If you need some more information about protecting yourself, go online to www.autorepair.ca.gov, the Bureau of Automotive Repair’s website. There you should click on publications, and look for Consumers Guide to Auto Repair in California. This guide outlines the steps needed and what to look for when you bring your car in for service. So go online now and learn about protecting yourself.