The Untrained Mechanic

If you have been through the manufacturer-dealership gauntlet with a lemon vehicle, you probably wondered why they didn't simply fix the problem and let you get on with your life. You didn't start your day thinking, how can I get the manufacturer, or this %$%^$& dealership to pay. You'd be happy for them to do their thing and let you do yours.

Getting a Lemon Law attorney is pretty low on the list, if you even knew there was such a thing. But it does happen and it is going to continue to happen. This is an unfortunate fact of life, particularly in a society that loves its automobiles.

Automobiles are more than essential to our daily lives; they are at the very heart of our economy. This is big business at its biggest. Even car dealerships are becoming big businesses.
It is an unfortunate axiom in business that when the going gets tough you cut departmental budgets.

Two departments that are always first up on the block are training and quality. Common sense tells us that these are the absolute last places to make cuts. It would make far more sense to go to every department and arbitrarily remove two layers of management. People who are dumping their work on others, creating little kingdoms whose measure of success is number of staff, would be forced to produce with fewer people stumbling all over each other. Streamlining management would speed the flow of work through the organization exponentially. It is sad that common sense is so seldom applied.

Untrained workers are a liability. This is fact. To allow them to continue to be untrained or intentionally withhold training to enhance the dealership's bottom line, is worse than ignorant, it borders on the criminal.

Out there at the dealership, we are at the mercy of the people who work on our car. In the world of modern auto mechanics - we call them technicians now - lack of training is the source of astonishing inefficiencies, lost and or totally infuriated customers, major warranty costs for manufacturers and occasionally, loss of life.

If you are saying, "it can't be that bad." Think again. The need for well-trained auto mechanics, or technicians, if you prefer, is a national problem and it isn't getting better despite auto mechanic schools springing up in every town and city.

More in the common sense department: Thousands of Lemon vehicles are replaced or refunded every year. Many of these cars had problems so complex that the technicians at the dealership couldn't correctly diagnose and repair them. You imagine that because it is a large dealership, there must be people trained to repair what they sell. This assumption is as defective as the cars they cannot repair. The manufacturer must shoulder part of the problem to be sure. It is, after all, their responsibility to ensure that their dealerships personnel receive training on each new model car.
T
he need for auto mechanics is so desperate in some parts of the country, dealerships offer auto mechanics who are tech school graduates, substantial signing bonuses, like a high school baseball pitcher phenon from Bakersfield. Admittedly it isn't in the millions. Large car dealerships will happily pay the tuition of technical school students as long as they can get them when they graduate. It's a complex problem.

Here are some of the key factors that add to this complexity:

- Older mechanics are leaving the industry to take up other work. It's just too hard to stay trained, to keep up.

- The pressures of working in a modern dealership begin to outweigh the benefits, especially when any technician with an ounce of decency finds his integrity being compromised at every turn.

- The equipment to service the modern automobile is incredibly expensive. A modern diagnostic machine may cost $20,000 or more, and keep in mind this machine will only work with one, or at best, a few model vehicles. Every day, all across the United States, independent auto repair shops are closing for the simple reason they can't afford to purchase the equipment needed to work on the modern, computer-managed automobile. Even if they could afford the machines, they can't find anyone trained in their use.

- Many older mechanics fear and loathe technology; they don't want to work on anything that has a computer in it (that's every new car manufactured for the past ten years).

- Technical school graduates in auto maintenance technology often switch to other jobs in computer fields that don't require them to crawl around under vehicles: all that dirt and grease you know.

Technician retention is a serious problem. Because of the competition for a well-trained technician, dealerships must offer more money and benefits to keep these special employees. The turnover rate at dealerships is far higher than most equivalent sized organizations in other industries.

The flat rate pay system drives mechanics and dealerships alike to cheat. It is problem of altered time. The customer is getting the least possible time devoted to his or her problems, while the technician bills the maximum allowable hours. The technician is encouraged to do this by the dealership as a declared efficiency factor. It's money for the dealership of course.

There is so much to learn with new models coming out every year the technicians can't keep up. And now it isn't just mechanical systems, it is also software and the electronic integration of all the automobiles electro-mechanical systems. Somewhere along the way this work went from blue-collar to white collar, from grease to pocket protector geek. But, Mothers and Dads aren't encouraging their sons and daughters to go into the automotive maintenance field because they still think it is a low level job. It's a shame really, as it can pay quite well and it is a profession requiring a high degree of knowleddge.

Dealerships cut training hours the minute the bottom line looks as if it is in trouble.

Considering all these factors, it is surprising anyone would want to enter the industry at all. The profession of automobile repair technician has become a white-collar job in a blue-collar world. Here's another factor, which may seem more opinion that fact. The typical auto mechanic or technician doesn't get much respect. For a variety of reasons auto mechanics are not held in high repute, professionally. The average car owner when talking about his or her mechanic is a skeptic: suspicious, fearful and ready to do violence. The average citizen speaks of his mechanic in terms usually reserved for politicians and perverts. This response is both unfair and inaccurate. It is definitely emotional.

There is a reason for this. Joe Citizen's reaction to his mechanic is not simply bad judgment or perversity. People react to events in direct proportion to their affect on survival. How important is a car to your survival? In Los Angeles, it is as important as food. How well the car works absolutely affects quality of life. There's a lot of emotion associated with survival.

These attitudes are not entirely unwarranted. Remember how you felt when you bought your first new car? There was excitement, the pleasure of having done an adult thing, made and saved enough money to make one of the largest purchases an American can make. And the satisfaction of owning a new car: "New"! This is very special indeed.

As car owners, we have no way of knowing that the technician working on our car was never trained on the vehicle's electronic system. The flat-rate mechanics pay system encourages the technician to work as fast as possible, not as well as possible. The following quote has really meaning here.

"People forget how fast you did a job--but they remember how well you did it." -- Anonymous

The service writer doesn't verify the skills of the technician he or she assigns to do the work. So when the Electronic Control System computer fails through poor design, or a software fault, and the technician changes out some other component, like the emission control valve, the owner leaves thinking everything is all right. Then before the owner gets home, the vehicle manifests the same problem. This is called "betrayal after trust", and nothing is more likely to enrage a buyer. When the owner looks around for someone to abuse, shoot, whatever the level of his anger demands, and naturally he focuses on the technician. Training is not something one does because it looks good in an advertisement.

"If we deliver on time, but the product has defects, we have not delivered on time." Philip Crosby Let's Talk Quality, 1989

What will we get from the untrained technician/mechanic? We get the car back but it isn't fixed. If this continues, it is a betrayal of our trust, plain and simple. It certainly wouldn't be out of line for the consumer to ask about the training of the technician who works on our car. We'd want to know if the doctor cutting holes in our body were trained. Keep in mind that a defective lemon vehicle might put unrepairable holes in your body.

Why You Need Good Tires On Your Car

Driving on bad tires causes a multitude of problems. If you have a good set of tires on your car, you can save their lifespan by 50% just by checking the air pressure once weekly. You need to buy a tire gauge at your local auto shop and keep it in your glove compartment.

Neglecting your tires will cause them to wear out quicker than their life span. When you check the air pressure, if it's too low, add some air. Be sure to add the recommended pounds for your car and tires. Your car manual should tell you how much.

If you still don't know, call a tire shop and ask them. Under inflated tires can cause a host of problems, such as lower gas mileage, wear and tear on the tires, the tires heating up more and the worse is a blowout.

Look at your tires and if the tread is wearing have them looked at. Proper wheel balancing and alignment will keep your tires in good shape. Bad shocks and struts will wear your tires out fairly quickly. Tires have a lot to do with controlling your car.

When they're worn it's harder to stop which can cause you to rear end another car or worse and a blowout can cause a deadly accident. The worn tires lose traction and make it difficult to handle the vehicle in snow, ice mud and wet pavement.

It is normal to lose a couple pounds of air a month so you need to add air to them. Don't over-inflate the tires; it's as bad as under-inflated tires. There are millions of cars on the road with low tread or bald tires that cause accidents everyday. By taking care of your tires with proper wheel alignment and checking the air pressure on a regular basis, will save you a lot of money buying a new set of tires.

Even with new tires, if they're not balanced properly, or not aligned, they will wear out quickly. Go to an auto repair shop that has ASE Certified mechanics that offer all repairs. They'll check your tires at no cost and they stand behind their work.

Their prices are better than big shops and franchises and their mechanics are experienced. Also, if you need repairs in the future, they usually give you a discount for being a repeat customer. Keep your car safe with good tires by performing a couple quick weekly checks.

Mechanic Error

When we take our cars to a shop for regular maintenance or repairs, we trust that the mechanics on duty will properly fix the problems and return our vehicles in safe driving condition. Sometimes however, for one reason or another, a vehicle is cleared to leave an auto shop when it is not fit to be driven. An unsuspecting customer may pay the mechanic for his or her work and leave the shop, only to later have a serious accident caused by a vehicle malfunction. If you have been injured in an accident because your vehicle malfunctioned, a mechanic may be liable.

Possible Errors

Because cars are so complex, there are many things that could go wrong when they are being serviced. In some cases the issue may be the part itself or the design of the car, but in other situations it may be the mechanic's negligence that causes the problem. Some possible mechanic errors that could later lead to vehicle malfunction are:

• Repairing a vehicle with the wrong tools or parts


• Forgetting to properly tighten certain parts, such as a wheel


• Forgetting to attach the oil, radiator, or other fluid cap, causing a leak and engine damage


• Failing to notice damage or a malfunctioning part that needs repair


• Failing to inform the car owner of a serious repair or maintenance problem

Mechanic Liability

In some cases, a mechanic can be held liable for poor maintenance or repair that later caused a car to malfunction. Vehicle malfunctions can be extremely costly, both in terms of damage caused and injuries sustained if there is an accident. To hold a mechanic liable, the owner must be able to show that the mechanic was negligent. There must be evidence that he or she failed to notice a problem or did not properly perform the maintenance or repair. In addition, you must be able to show that this negligence caused the damage to your car or the conditions that led to the accident.

Car accident attorneys are experienced at determining whether you have grounds to file a lawsuit in situations such as these. If you believe that a mechanic error may have caused your vehicle to malfunction, consider talking with a car accident lawyer immediately. He or she can investigate the situation surrounding your vehicle's malfunction or accident to determine if the mechanic or another party may be liable. If there is evidence that the mechanic was negligent and caused your vehicle failure, s/he may be legally accountable for your injuries and damages and may be ordered to provide compensation.

For More Information

To learn more about mechanic error and accident liability, please visit the website of the experienced Sheboygan car accident lawyers of Habush, Habush & Rottier, SC today.

Oil Changes and Window Sticker Marketing

For most Americans, their car is their life line. It gets them to and from their jobs, to stores, to visit friends and family, and elsewhere. Most cannot imagine life without a dependable vehicle which is why so many are careful to make sure their vehicle is performing at an optimal level. However, as people have become wearier of working on their own vehicles and have trusted their car's maintenance to the repair professionals, a growing number of individuals have grown unfamiliar with what their car really needs and how often it needs it. In many instances, a driver will take their car in for regular automotive maintenance before it is needed, will have unnecessary repairs, and will have the oil changed even when the existing oil is still in good condition and at acceptable levels.

One would think that with the downturn in the economy in the past couple years, people would begin to pay more attention to what their vehicle needs and attempt to perform much of the maintenance themselves in order to save money, but quite the opposite has been occurring. As people are drawn in by flashy marketing to quick-lube shops with rock-bottom prices, while they're waiting for their oil to be changed, they're told horror story after horror story about the possible consequences of not updating to a premium-style oil, by not having the shop's recommend fluid-flush, or by not picking up additional items such as oil additives or premium replacement wiper blades. As they begin to see themselves with a vehicle that is completely broken down because they didn't go with that extra $50-$100 service, they often let these shops perform these largely unnecessary services on their vehicles. The irony of all of this is that in many instances, the people recommending these additional services are not experienced mechanics, but rather inexperienced lube technicians who have, at times, been trained more on how to sell additional services than on how to service a vehicle.

It is this illusion of expertise that leads to one of the most successful marketing tools for quick lube and mechanic's shops alike; the sticker. In most instances, the shop that changes the oil in a vehicle will place a sticker on the inside of the windshield with the company name, logo, and a suggested mileage at which to bring the vehicle back in for service. In most instances, there will be a suggested date along with a suggested mileage that is very often around 3,000 miles from where the car's mileage currently sits. While many consider this a very considerate service and constant reminder of when they need to bring their vehicle in for service and where they can do so (shops simplify the customer experience by keeping the customer's information on file), the suggested miles before another oil change is recommended is typically a convenient guess and not what exactly what the vehicle manufacturer recommends.

In order to make the most of your oil change, always be sure to check the owner's manual from the manufacturer of your vehicle for the specifications involved with your automobile's maintenance. If you do not currently possess the manufacturer's owner's manual, obtaining one is a more than worthwhile investment. In the manual, you should find suggested tire pressures, fluid specifications, types of oils, and also how often the manufacturer recommends having the oil changed. Many are surprised to find that though the sticker on the window says to have the oil changed every 3,000 miles, their manual may say otherwise. At times, the manual may read that an oil change is recommended every 5,000 miles to extend to every 7,000 miles to as much as 10,000 miles. In this still-struggling economy with many people wanting to find new ways to save money, many may be shocked to discover that there is money to be saved in simply taking a larger role in learning how their automobile performs instead of what they have been told by the same people who are selling them the products and services.

Understanding The Windshield Repair Process

Although many windshield replacement professionals make the process of replacing a windshield seem like a simple task, there are actually many steps that are involved towards ensuring that you receive high quality results. Because most people only use auto glass services to repair and replace their windshields, most people do not realize the amount of workmanship that is associated with the procedure.

Initially, some services will want to check for any other damage that may exist before they begin on the installation of your new windshield. As they set up for the repair, your vehicle will be covered in certain places to prevent possible future or further damage while handling the repair. First, your original auto glass will need to be removed from the vehicle, including any moldings, trim, wipers, and the cowl. Because damaged glass doesn't often remove as easily as you may imagine, the service personnel will use a special knife to help them remove the glass.

The new auto glass will need to be sized accordingly to fit into your vehicle. For a proper fit, the original urethane from your previous auto glass fitting will need to be cut down. Urethane is used as a seal to keep your windshield in place during use. Debris from cutting will be removed by the service personnel afterward. To ensure that the windshield is the right size, it will be tested on your vehicle without any seal applied before it is installed. A urethane sealant is then selected for the installation. The type of urethane that is used can depend on the circumstances, such as the current temperature, how long you can wait before using your car again, humidity, and even the presence of your air bag. Because of the typical weather in Phoenix, Arizona most services choose a urethane that will be able to handle the dry conditions within the area. Primer will be applied to the appropriate areas and the inside portion of the glass will be cleaned prior to installation. The windshield is also prepared by cleaning and wiping the edges with a special glass solution. Primer and urethane are then applied to the edges as well.

The replacement windshield is set in place and adjusted so that it is centered with the vehicle. The service will then install new moldings to further help set it in place correctly. Your windshield wipers and the cowl will be replaced, as well as anything else that was removed to perform the windshield replacement on your vehicle. Service personnel will then check the windshield replacement for proper installation and the occurrence of any air leaks. The vehicle is cleaned up and you will be given instructions about how to care for your vehicle after the installation. Generally, you will be advised not to use your vehicle for a certain period of time until your windshield is finished fully setting.

There are many quality auto glass services in the area which will perform these exact tasks while providing you with a windshield replacement. When you have a better understanding of the steps that are involved with these services, you will have an appreciation for the workmanship that is involved and also know how to detect a quality installation from the services that you have chosen.

Transmission Repair Shop Summer Camp

Many times, during the summer time parents don't really have many choices when it comes to sending their kids to a camp. This isn't to say that there aren't enough programs around. However, many of these places only offer children a limited amount of activities.

For instance, there's swimming, skating, water balloon fights, the movies and other field trips. Now, these are all great activities that kids have been enjoying for years. However, when it comes to some children, especially older ones, sometimes they need something that is more mentally stimulating. They also need something that will help them in the pursuit of their future goals. In order to solve this issue, some businesses can take it upon themselves to provide the experience and background knowledge that is needed.

For instance, a transmission repair shop can begin a summer program that helps prepare students, who are interested in mechanics, for their future careers. This may not be a feasible idea for businesses who are just starting out or who have not yet become financially stable. That's because a lot of extra manpower is needed to run a summer program. This is especially true for those who have smaller staffs. That's because they will need to hire more people. Therefore, more money is needed.

In order to create a buzz around their program, the transmission repair shops can market to or target youth who are in middle school and high school. One way this can be done is by posting flyers up around the local schools. Of course, they will have to get permission from the principals. In fact, it may be better if they to try to form some type of relationship with the school leadership and administration. This way they can recommend some students to them.

Once the program is started, the transmission repair business can then come up with activities that the children can participate in. One of the things they can do is allow the students to get hands-on experience. Giving them the opportunity to work on vehicles themselves can do this. Of course, it wouldn't be wise to allow them to work on vehicles that belong to actual clients. However, junk cars or vehicles that are no longer in service are great options to allow the students to work on. Transmission repair issues aren't the only things they could work on, however. The specialists can also teach the students basic mechanical skills.

This type of camp is great and unconventional. Having fun during the summer time is important, but it's also great when students can do something that can benefit them and assist them in pursuing their future endeavors.

When Calling an Auto Glass Repair Professional Is the Right Choice

Cracked or broken windshields are common occurrences for many drivers. Whether a rock hit your windshield or you've had a fender bender, damage to your windshield needs to be addressed right away. Not doing so could be a threat to your safety as well as those on the road with you. If you can't see clearly out of the windshield, then you may not be able to see other vehicles and this could increase your chances of an accident! As such, it's important for you to get chips or cracks in your automotive glass repaired as soon as you can. Although some cracks and chips can be fixed on your own, there may be instances when you need an auto glass replacement professional to help you with these repairs.

Before you call in an expert for windshield replacement or repair, you should assess the damage to your vehicle. Most of the time, small cracks or chips can be repaired with a windshield kit in your own driveway. However, some cracks are going to be a bit too complicated for this solution. To get a better understanding of what the situation is, you should pick out any loose bits of glass that are near the chip or crack and then clean the area. Once you do this, you will be able to see if the damage is serious or not.

Try a Repair Kit

If you think that the crack or chip is not too bad, then you can purchase an auto glass repair kit from an automotive store. These kits are not very expensive, and they are easy to use as well. Once you've purchased a kit, follow the instructions to attempt to repair the damage. Keep in mind, though, if the crack is longer than about four inches or if it has shattered pieces in it, then you won't be able to successfully repair it on your own. You'll need to take it to a windshield replacement professional.

Before you rush out to get your windshield repaired or replaced by an auto glass repair professional, you should try your best to fix the problem on your own. It's really worth a try if you can save some money, but don't proceed if it looks too complicated or dangerous. While you will have to spend extra money to get auto glass replacement from a professional, you'll be able to rest easy knowing that the job will be done right. You may even be able to get a guarantee on the work performed, which will ensure that your windshield is protected for a long while to come.