Salam Benzer,

Salam Mybenzer,

Enclosed is some tips and basic information everyone should know about car maintenance so that we don't easily get rip off.

The best way to avoid auto repair rip-offs is to be prepared. To know how your vehicle works and to identify common car problems is a start. It's also important to know how to select a good auto repair technician, what kinds of repair questions to ask, and your consumer rights to recourse of action

AUTO REPAIR INFORMATION

How to Choose Car Repair Facilities

• Ask for recommendations from friends, family, and other people you trust. Look for an auto repair shop before you need one to avoid being rushed into a regretful decision
• Shop by telephone for the best prices, and compare warranty policies on all repairs

How to Choose a Qualified Certified Technician

• Look for shops that are listed in our Directory or recommendation from Mybenzer.

Repair Charges: Understanding the Meaning

Before you agree to have any work performed, ask shop labor rate and the full price on parts and supplies. Most shops charge a flat hourly rate for labor time. This published rate is based on an independent or manufacturer's estimate of the time required to complete repairs. If you need complicated or expensive car repairs, or if you have any questions about recommended work, consider getting a second opinion from another vehicle repair facility. If you decide to get the work completed, ask for a full written estimate

What should a full written estimate include?

• It should identify the condition to be repaired, the parts needed, and the anticipated labor charge. Make sure you get a signed copy
• It should state that the shop will contact you for approval before they do any work exceeding a specified amount of time or money.

What should I know about the parts to be repaired or replaced?

Parts are classified as:

• New - These parts generally are made to original manufacturer's specifications, either by the vehicle manufacturer or an independent company. Your state may require repair shops to tell you if non-original equipment will be used in the repair. Prices and quality of these parts vary
• Remanufactured, rebuilt and reconditioned - These terms generally mean the same thing: parts have been restored to a sound working condition. Many manufacturers offer a warranty covering replacement parts, but not the labor to install them
• Salvage - These are used parts taken from another vehicle without alteration. Salvage parts may be the only source for certain items, though their reliability is seldom guaranteed

What do I need after the work is done?

• Get a completed repair order describing the work done. It should list each repair, parts supplied, the cost of each part, labor charges, and the vehicle's odometer reading when you brought the vehicle in as well as when the repair order was completed. Ask for all replaced parts. State law may require this.

What are the consequences of postponing maintenance?

• Many parts on your vehicle are interrelated. Ignoring maintenance can lead to trouble: specific parts - or an entire system - can fail. Neglecting even simple routine maintenance, such as changing the oil or checking the coolant, can lead to poor fuel economy, unreliability, or costly breakdowns. It also may invalidate your warranty.

What maintenance guidelines should I follow to avoid costly repairs?

• Follow the manufacturer's maintenance schedule in your owner's manual for your type of driving.
• Some repair shops create their own maintenance schedules, which call for more frequent servicing than the manufacturer's recommendations. Compare shop maintenance schedules with those recommended in your owner's manual. Ask the repair shop to explain - and make sure you understand - why it recommends service beyond the recommended schedule.

What warranties and service contracts apply to vehicle repairs?

Warranties

• There is no "standard warranty" on repairs. Make sure you understand what is covered under your warranty and get it in writing.
• Be aware that warranties may be subject to limitations, including time, mileage, deductibles, businesses authorized to perform warranty work or special procedures required to obtain reimbursement.

How do I resolve a dispute regarding billing, quality of repairs or warranties?

• Document all transactions as well as your experiences with dates, times, expenses, and the names of people you dealt with.
• Talk to the shop manager or owner first. If that doesn't work, contact your local consumer protection agency for help. These offices may have information on alternative dispute resolution programs in your community.

HEADING OFF PROBLEMS

The more you know about your vehicle, the more likely you'll be able to head off repair problems. You can detect many common vehicle problems by using your senses: eyeballing the area around your vehicle, listening for strange noises, sensing a difference in the way your vehicle handles, or even noticing unusual odors.

Looks like Trouble

Small stains or an occasional drop of fluid under your vehicle may not mean much. But wet spots deserve attention; check puddles immediately. You can identify fluids by their color and consistency:

• Yellowish green, pastel blue or florescent orange colors indicate an overheated engine or an antifreeze leak caused by a bad hose, water pump or leaking radiator.
• A dark brown or black oily fluid means the engine is leaking oil. A bad seal or gasket could cause the leak.
• A red oily spot indicates a transmission or power-steering fluid leak.
• A puddle of clear water usually is no problem. It may be normal condensation from your vehicle's air conditioner.

Smells like Trouble

Some problems are under your nose. You can detect them by their odor:
• The smell of burned toast - a light, sharp odor - often signals an electrical short and burning insulation. To be safe, try not to drive the vehicle until the problem is diagnosed.
• The smell of rotten eggs - a continuous burning-sulphur smell - usually indicates a problem in the catalytic converter or other emission control devices. Don't delay diagnosis and repair.
• A thick acrid odor usually means burning oil. Look for sign of a leak.
• The smell of gasoline vapors after a failed start may mean you have flooded the engine. Wait a few minutes before trying again. If the odor persists, chances are there's a leak in the fuel system - a potentially dangerous problem that needs immediate attention.
• Burning resin or an acrid chemical odor may signal overheated brakes or clutch. Check the parking brake. Stop. Allow the brakes to cool after repeated hard braking on mountain roads. Light smoke coming from a wheel indicates a stuck brake. The vehicle should be towed for repair.
• A sweet, steamy odor indicates a coolant leak. If the temperature gauge or warning light does not indicate overheating, drive carefully to the nearest service station, keeping an eye on your gauges. If the odor is accompanied by a hot, metallic scent and steam from under the hood, your engine has overheated. Pull over immediately. Continued driving could cause severe engine damage. The vehicle should be towed for repair.

Sounds like Trouble

Squeaks, squeals, rattles, rumbles, and other sounds provide valuable clues about problems and maintenance needs. Here are some common noises and what they mean:

Squeal - A shrill, sharp noise, usually related to engine speed:
• Loose or worn power steering, fan or air conditioning belt.

Click - A slight sharp noise, related to either engine speed or vehicle speed:
• Loose wheel cover.
• Loose or bent fan blade.
• Stuck valve lifter or low engine oil.

Screech - A high-pitched, piercing metallic sound; usually occurs while the vehicle is in motion:
• Caused by brake wear indicators to let you know it's time for maintenance.

Rumble - a low-pitched rhythmic sound.
• Defective exhaust pipe, converter or muffler.
• Worn universal joint or other drive-line component.

Ping - A high-pitched metallic tapping sound, related to engine speed:
• Usually caused by using gas with a lower octane rating than recommended. Check your owner's manual for the proper octane rating. If the problem persists, engine ignition timing could be at fault.

Heavy Knock - A rhythmic pounding sound:
• Worn crankshaft or connecting rod bearings.
• Loose transmission torque converter.

Clunk - A random thumping sound:
• Loose shock absorber or other suspension component.
• Loose exhaust pipe or muffler.

Feels like Trouble

Difficult handling, a rough ride, vibration and poor performance are symptoms you can feel. They almost always indicate a problem.
Steering
• Misaligned front wheels and/or worn steering components, such as the idler or ball joint, can cause wandering or difficulty steering in a straight line.
• Pulling - the vehicle's tendency to steer to the left or right - can be caused by something as routine as under-inflated tires, or as serious as a damaged or misaligned front end.

Ride and Handling

• Worn shock absorbers or other suspension components - or improper tire inflation - can contribute to poor cornering.
• While there is no hard and fast rule about when to replace shock absorbers or struts, try this test: bounce the vehicle up and down hard at each wheel and then let go. See how many times the vehicle bounces. Weak shocks will allow the vehicle to bounce twice or more.
• Springs do not normally wear out and do not need replacement unless one corner of the vehicle is lower than the others. Overloading your vehicle can damage the springs.
• Balance tires properly. An unbalanced or improperly balanced tire causes a vehicle to vibrate and may wear steering and suspension components prematurely.
Brakes

Brake problems have several symptoms. Schedule diagnosis and repair if:

• The vehicle pulls to one side when the brakes are applied.
• The brake pedal sinks to the floor when pressure is maintained.
• You hear or feel scraping or grinding during braking.
• The "brake" light on the instrument panel is lit.

Engine

The following symptoms indicate engine trouble. Get a diagnosis and schedule the repair.
• Difficulty starting the engine.
• The "check engine" light on the instrument panel is lit.
• Rough idling or stalling.
• Poor acceleration.
• Poor fuel economy.
• Excessive oil use (more than one quart between changes).
• Engine continues running after the key is removed.

Transmission

Poor transmission performance may come from actual component failure or a simple disconnected hose or plugged filter. Make sure the technician checks the simple items first; transmission repairs normally are expensive. Some of the most common symptoms of transmission problems are:
• Abrupt or hard shifts between gears.
• Delayed or no response when shifting from neutral to drive or reverse.
• Failure to shift during normal acceleration.
• Slippage during acceleration. The engine speeds up, but the vehicle does not respond.

TROUBLE SHOOTING

Car trouble doesn't always mean major repairs. Here are some common causes of trouble and techniques to help you and your technician find and fix problems:
• Alternator - Loose wiring can make your alternator appear defective. Your technician should check for loose connections and perform an output test before replacing the alternator.
• Battery - Corroded or loose battery terminals can make the battery appear dead or defective. Your technician should clean the terminals and test battery function before replacing the battery.
• Starter - What appears to be a defective starter actually may be a dead battery or poor connection. Ask your technician to check all connections and test the battery before repairing the starter.
• Muffler - a loud rumbling noise under your vehicle indicates a need for a new muffler or exhaust pipe.
• Tune up - The old-fashioned "tune up" may not be relevant to your vehicle. Fewer parts, other than belts, spark plugs, hoses and filters, need to be replaced on newer vehicles. Follow the recommendations in your owner's manual.

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Cheers/Mabel

Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm
Take time to read. It is the fountain of wisdom
Membership Number: One Nine Seven Seven

Bro,

Thank you for such a long advise that is very usefull to all the drivers & lovers of their baby.
The good phase are "Looks like Trouble", "Smells like Trouble", "Sounds like Trouble" & "Feels like Trouble" that give me a more clearer picture to aware more.

Regards
Ridzuan

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Glad you find it useful. The lists should be able to provide us with some basic knowledge when dealing and engaging with our car maintenance.

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Cheers/Mabel

Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm
Take time to read. It is the fountain of wisdom
Membership Number: One Nine Seven Seven

wow tq so much Mabel, im saving your notes to my mobile so anything happen can read..lol

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MYBENZ ID: 5254

Good idea thoren !

Perhaps, I shuld do that too instead of just having it in my laptops...

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Cheers/Mabel

Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm
Take time to read. It is the fountain of wisdom
Membership Number: One Nine Seven Seven

A leak under your car is a warning sign from your car to you. But how do you know if it is something to worry about?

Start by looking out for any spills you may have left behind, every time you reverse from a parked position.

If you suspect you have a leak, lay newspaper under your your parked car at night. Any fluid will drip onto the paper and you can better identify what it might be.

Most leaks need to be sorted out; the more dangerous ones could lead to you breaking down and incurring expensive towing and repair bills.

Here is a guide for the layman. Color, smell and consistency of the fluid provide clues as to what it could be, and what you should do about it.

Water

On a hot day, clear water dripping from under your car is probably condensation from your air conditioner and nothing to worry about. All it means is your air conditioner is doing its job by de-humidifying the air inside your car.

Black or dark-brown slippery fluid

Probably motor oil. If you have an oil leak in your car, a few drops are okay, puddles are not. Keep track of the volume; if it increases or is excessive, have it seen to.

Clear, oily liquid with a pungent smell around the wheels

Probably brake fluid. A car leaking brake fluid is dangerous and could lead to brake failure. Have your mechanic check your car out as soon as possible.

Pink, red or clear drops

If it drips from the vicinity of your front seats, it could be your car is leaking automatic transmission fluid. If it drips from under the front of the engine, it could be power steering fluid. Whichever it is, top up the fluid and find out why it is leaking.

Green, yellowish or reddish spots with a slight sweet smell

(Who knew you could have such an interesting sounding leak?)

If fluid fitting this description drips from under the front centre of your car, it means your car's cooling system is leaking anti-freeze. Too little coolant will cause your engine to overheat, which is dangerous and expensive to fix.

Heavy, light tan or black liquid

If this best describes your leak, have it seen to. It could be gear oil leaking from the steering gearbox, manual transmission, axle or differential. The longer you leave it, the bigger the job and the pricier repairs will be.

Blue or pink tinted water

If blue or pink tinted water drips from under your engine, your car is probably leaking windshield washer solution. Although nothing to worry about, when your car next goes for a service, mention in.

Clear fluid which smells like rotten eggs

A fluid like this anywhere under your car means sulphuric acid is leaking from your battery. If it touches your skin, immediately flush the area with water because it is highly corrosive and extremely poisonous. Replace the battery as soon as you can.

Fuel

This would usually leak from under the back of the car. Fuel is the most dangerous leak of all because your car can catch fire, so have it repaired immediately.

A clamp may be enough to temporarily stop any leak, but taking your car to the garage and having your mechanic sort out the problem now, will save you money in the long run.

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Cheers/Mabel

Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm
Take time to read. It is the fountain of wisdom
Membership Number: One Nine Seven Seven

The Importance of Regular Car Maintenance
Oil Changing Tips : www.Castrol.com

Like any machine, cars need regular maintenance and care to operate properly. One of the greatest dangers to driver and passenger safety is a poorly maintained vehicle. Vehicles that do not receive regularly scheduled maintenance are unreliable and may malfunction while running, possibly causing an accident. When you decide to purchase a car, make sure you know how often to check all parts and fluids for maintenance needs. Your owner's manual will have a schedule of recommended maintenance, either by mileage or time.

What's the Big Deal?

When a car is not properly tuned up, it could experience internal damage that puts the driver at risk. Even small internal damage could turn into a much bigger problem later on. A car has hundreds of parts that must all work together for the vehicle to run smoothly. An issue with one part could cause other parts to fail, leaving you stranded on a drive or causing a severe accident. Additionally, a small problem that may cause major internal damage will be much more expensive to fix later.

When to Have Your Car Checked

The time line for a checkup depends upon the part in question. Generally, it is recommended that you take your car in for a tuneup every 3,000 miles. Your vehicle's oil should be changed at each of these tuneups, and other fluids such as brake fluid, power steering fluid, and transmission fluid should all be checked for leaks or dirty fluid. Tires should be checked and rotated every 7,000 miles or so to ensure that they do not wear unevenly, which increases your chance of getting a flat or blown out tire. Consult your owner's manual for other guidelines regarding maintenance.

Many safety concerns will be checked yearly during your state inspection, but serious problems could arise during the year between inspections. Space out your car maintenance throughout the year to increase your chance of catching potentially big problems early and to make it more affordable. Preventative maintenance could save you from a costly car accident and could save you thousands of dollars in the long run.

Shop Liability

When you take your car in for a tuneup or inspection, the mechanics working on your car are responsible for ensuring that car problems are detected and that new equipment is installed properly. If you take your car in to have work done and then have car trouble that causes an accident, the auto shop may be liable for your injuries and damages.

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Cheers/Mabel

Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm
Take time to read. It is the fountain of wisdom
Membership Number: One Nine Seven Seven

Here's another good tips, compliment from wan230..


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Walau bro, does it apply for other cars as well?

Cos if what you say is true, I kena potong many many times already from my alternator guy.



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I suppose so..beside, wan is also having a W124..

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Cheers/Mabel

Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm
Take time to read. It is the fountain of wisdom
Membership Number: One Nine Seven Seven