People like visiting their mechanic about as much as they like going to the dentist. They hope for the best going in, but fear that they may wind up with the proverbial root canal. And while a visit to the auto shop could uncover a nasty repair issue, the best way to save money up-front is to give the technician as much information about the problem as possible. Although you may feel silly attempting to re-enact the various noises you’re hearing, doing this helps them diagnose the problem faster (and time is money). Often costs of repairs might add up to more than you are willing to part with. In cases like this, you might see it fit to apply for a loan to help you out in funding the necessary repairs.

Some tips:

If the problem seems to be happening sporadically, take note of the circumstances when it does happen. Is it only when you first start your car in the morning? Does it only happen when driving up hills, or over speed bumps? Are there a lot of people in the car? Are you low on gas? Has there been a drop in your fuel economy lately? These just a few examples. Any information you can provide will help the technician solve the problem, and will ultimately save you labour costs.

Most vehicles today are equipped with a ‘Check Engine Light’ or MIL (Malfunction Indicator Light). While this is helpful in the diagnosis process, it typically does not give the ‘answer’, but simply a direction. So it is important to keep track of the symptoms even with this light on.

By doing the up-front detective work, you can turn a root canal into a filling!

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