Maintenance is Key

"I'll go next week...", that's what so many of us say when we think about getting our vehicles serviced. It's not fun or exciting, nobody wants to go with us, and we have to pay for it. Well why would we make it a priority? Because we depend on our cars. We have to go to work, and school, and dinner at the in-laws, and little league, and, hopefully, an occasional vacation. We also want to get there without car trouble right? Most importantly we want to get ourselves and our family there safely. So don't put off the oil-change, the transmission service, the brake inspection, and always get your check-engine and service engine lights addresed. And please get it taken care of by ans ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certified technician, not your Uncle Larry. Taking care of our vehicles has more benefits than we would like to admit and putting it off until next week may be too late. You are doing more than a simple transmission service or tune-up, you are avoiding costly repairs and break-downs, prolonging the life of your car, and driving safely and responsibly. We all benefit from that!!

It's Just a Piece of Paper

You know my uncle has been working on cars since before I was born. He has worked on my mom's car, both my aunt's cars, grandpa's car, my brother's car, and my car. He didn't go to school or take classes for any kind of degree or certification. I mean it's just a piece of paper, right?   With that said, I bought a car from a certain relative, who shall remain nameless, and everything was great. I drove it to work, picked up the kids and their many, many friends, you know the usual chauffer thing that most of us do. Then it happened...I was reversing out of my drive- way and there was a hesitation when switching gears. My first thought, after it's all in my head, was the engine was cold. I went on my merry way doing what I do through-out my day. As a matter of fact, I went on my merry way for the next two-weeks and I don't want to hear any of the typical woman driver stuff because my better half, who is not a woman, also went on his merry was in the same vehicle. I called my uncle "the mechanic" and asked him what he thought and he said, "I just serviced the transmission everything should be fine." in other words it's not his problem because it is now my car not his (oh did I give it away).   Time to find a mechanic. I know it sounds a little out there and is generally reserved for those who sky-dive and go cliff-jumping but, I am a little adventurous and thought I'm gonna do it! What I did find was that auto repair shops are more than happy to fix my car, they absolutely love me. They are overjoyed when they see me drive in and I say, "it does this thing when switching gears...I think there might be something wrong...maybe". Now some call me a little compulsive and I am not the kind to shop around, but as I am sitting in the waiting area of the fourth shop I had the pleasure of visiting with my beloved car I notice the big sign on the wall that says "ATRA Member"" and another that says"ASE Certified". This was something different than many of the other repair shops I had visited. I read all the certifications on the wall and when I went home I went on-line and looked up ATRA and ASE. It turns out that you can go to school and become certified in many areas of Automotive Technology and transmission repair shops can also become a member of ATRA (Automatic Transmission Rebuilders Association). Benefits of being a member of ATRA is the confidence the consumer now has in the repair shop working on their vehicle. ATRA is an entity benefiting the consumer as well as the repair shop. They stand behind transmission warranties and they make sure that their members are in good standing by following up on any complaints. This is among the many other things they do. I don't really think I need to get into the benefits of ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) Technicians but, I will. Ase Certified Technicians go through training, in too many areas to list, to receive their certifications. It's not just one certification and it's not just something you pay for over the internet that comes in the mail. There are many certifications offered and they have to be worked for.    I am pleased with the results I received by taking my vehicle to a transmission repair shop that is a member of ATRA and employs ASE Certified Technicians. Now I am off again on my merry way, picking up my kids and going to softball and the grocery store and all those other things that fill our days, with the confidence of knowing not only was my vehicle well taken care of, but so was I. Thank-you "Uncle Mechanic" for, indirectly, steering me in the right direction.