Tag Archives: automatic transmission repair phoenix 85016

Going to the dealer for repairs. Auto Repair 85016

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I have some clients that say this: I do not want to go to the dealer. 

Why?

The dealer has all the cool tools, great parts and factory trained mechanics. So why not go to the dealer. They know everything about the car you drive. It must be a great place.

I have worked in three dealerships. Everyone of them was challenging. Shop politics, back stabbing, steeling work from each other, breaking things to flag warranty time, high mechanic turn over and the list goes on. In short, it sucked.

Because I have morals, I never did very well at the dealership level. I did not play along with the shop games, politics and shady ways to flag time.

I did have an advantage, I could work on anything that rolled. I always had work when everyone else was standing around. In the long run I still made my pay check, but I did it the hard way, I worked for it.

I like working at a family owned repair shop.

Clients like the family owned repair shops because they get better overall service. A family shop is a great place to go for all your repair and maintenance needs. A family repair shop works on anything that rolls. Any year and model, we do not mind. A family owned shop can do everything the dealer can do. A family repair shop offers you a personal touch.

A family shop will always be a better place than the dealer, because we care about you.

It’s all good under the hood. Anthony Xavier ASE Master Technician

copyright: All rights reserved @ HeyAnthonyAZ.com 2013

Should I fix my old car or buy a new car?

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Wow, that’s a lot of money to fix my car!

In walks Mr. Steve, he is a new client to the shop.  Steve owns an Isuzu Rodeo with 160,000 plus miles on the clock.  Steve’s Rodeo told me it needed help, Steve on the other hand did not want to spend any money on a big repair.

Mr. Steve and the Rodeo should talk more often…

I looked at the issue (a transmission shifting issue) and calculated that it would be close to 800.00 to address the 5 fluid leaks causing the transmission shifting issue.  You see, Steve’s Rodeo was very low on fluid and because the Isuzu rodeo does not have a transmission dip stick tube.  No one has been checking the fluid level.

You check the fluid level on the Isuzu Rodeo from under the car, when it is on the rack for service.  Now, the under body of the Rodeo told me that the leak has been going on for many weeks if not months.  So someone has been over looking the needs of the car just to save time or because they did not put two and two together.

(Leaks cause fluid loss and fluid loss can cause many parts to fail.)

I asked steve if he would like to leave the car to make the repairs because the parts are special order.  At this point, I should mention that Steve does not like my price.  Steve does not want to spend any money on the car.  So I dropped the other shoe, I informed steve about some of the other needs I see on the car. (Things needing to be done today.)  So Steve is not happy with me at all right now.  So Steve tells me he is selling the Rodeo and going to buy a new car soon.  (Ok)

I hear this one all the time…

In all, I talked with Steve about everything that the rodeo needed and I topped off the fluid in the transmission, plus added some coolant to the cooling system.  I wished Steve well and he drove off.  I would like to see Steve back as a regular client, but for now he is a man with a broken car and I can not change that.

Cars and trucks talk to me.  I hear them tell me they need help and I do what I can to guide the client to the best repair for the car.  The moral to this story, maintenance is an ongoing thing and the older the car gets, the more maintenance it will need.  If you ignore it, it will break.  I like to see my clients at least 3 times a year for oil change services.  This lets me talk to the car and then I can let the client know what the car may need.

The main goal is to plan for upcoming repairs and maintenance

vs being surprised by them at the side of the road.

 

It’s all good under the hood. Anthony Xavier ASE Master Technician

copyright: All rights reserved @ HeyAnthonyAZ.com 2013