Richmond, Va—
Know these tips before you get work done on your vehicle.6 Tips that could save you hundreds of dollars:
1. You can get a 2nd opinion.
2. You can ask for better parts.
3. Newer coolants are designed to last.
4. Penny test your tires before you buy.
5. You can ask for a guarantee.
6. You can buy your parts somewhere else.
"The whole hub was cracked and my wheel was gonna fall off." That was news Jeremy Kerber didn't want to hear. A mechanic told him replacing his cracked hub would cost hundreds of dollars. But Jeremy knew something some mechanics don't typically tell you... and he paid a lot less.
We'll tell you what that was in a moment, but first, let's talk with Bill Ragland at Affordable Auto on Hull Street in Richmond. Ragland is an experienced auto mechanic who says says the first thing many mechanics don't tell you is that you *can* get a second opinion on your car's diagnosis. "I come in for a state inspection and you're selling me $1,500 before I get out the door? If you don't feel comfortable with what this person's telling you," says Ragland, "I would certainly talk with someone else."
The 2nd thing some mechanics don't tell you is that you can ask for higher quality parts. They may last longer and cost only a few dollars more. For instance, quality spark plugs won't need to be replaced as often as cheaper ones. That could save you money in the long run. "They're designed to last 100,000 miles", says Ragland. "The platinum, double platinum and uridium; most of that's to help reduce maintenance costs on vehicles."
Ragland says the 3rd thing many mechanics don't tell you is that radiator fluid on newer vehicles is designed to last. "A lot of coolants are 100,000 mile coolants now. They're designed to last a long time and not change them." Sometimes a mechanic will have to flush the cooling system when replacing other parts or other maintenance, but the bottom line here is know your maintenance schedule. If you have questions about any part in your car that may need to be replaced, just check the owner's manual.
Number 4 on the list is your tires. Bill says good tires are very important, but don't buy before you have to. Some mechanics won't tell you that there's a simple way to check the tread left on your tires: the penny test. Place President Lincoln "head first" into several treads. If part of Lincoln's head is always covered by the tread, you have more than 2/32" of tread depth remaining and your tires are still good. However, if you can see above Lincoln's head, then you're ready for a new tire.
Number 5 on our list of things your mechanic may not tell you is that you can ask for a written guarantee or warranty on most parts and service. "Most shops, good shops, are gonna give you a warranty," says Ragland. "And if they're affiliated with anyone like AAA, NAPA Auto Care Center, they have nationwide warranties. Twelve months, 12,000 miles...and people just don't think to ask."
"My wheel's getting ready to fall off." Now back to Jeremy with our final piece of advice. Sometimes, you can buy the parts you need somewhere else. Remember, one mechanic told Jeremy parts and labor on his cracked hub would cost hundreds of dollars. But another mechanic charged him a lot less. "I bought the part myself through a family member, got a discount on the part, and he said i'll put it in for you for $120. So he saved me hundreds of dollars."
