If your automobile has ever frustrated you to the point that you were tempted to park in a high crime area with the keys in it, don’t worry, you’re not alone.

In life, there are several certainties, not the least of which include death, taxes, and automotive mechanical problems. And not necessarily in that order, I might add.

Four basic choices exist when your car exhibits manners unbecoming a mechanical masterpiece: sell it, fix it, hire someone else to fix it, or make a lawn ornament out of it. As cars get more and more sophisticated, and the territory under the hood is less and less familiar, many are seeking outside help in this vital care and feeding process. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with this approach. But automobile ownership doesn’t have to be an exasperating experience. With proper love and attention, your grocery getter should last well beyond any average expectation or projected life span.

In this article I will attempt to somewhat coherently address option number three from above, the presentation of you ill-mannered transport device to a repair facility.

Automotive hospitals come in a couple of different flavors, new car dealerships, and independent repair facilities. Our area has a number of both varieties that have earned both a great reputation and following. Your approach upon arrival at the repair shop can make a world of difference in the overall outcome.

Imagine for a moment entering one of our local repair shops, and in a voice that can be heard clear to West Seattle, explaining just what a piece of crapola this vehicle has been and then proceed to explain in intimate detail your distrust of repair facilities and anyone dumb enough to work in one. At that point the Service Manager would very much enjoy strangling you, but due to the fact that this sort of behavior is illegal in most parts of the world, he must remain content to strangle your pocketbook instead.

Just remember, the vast majority of service managers, service advisors, and technicians are human. They have human emotions, human needs, and human reactions. A few carefully placed words to get them on your side will go a long way toward preserving your financial sanity and the kid’s inheritance. As an example, you might approach with, “I need your help. Could you spend a couple of minutes outside with my car and help identify a strange noise that it has been making since I ran over the…” Your service representative should welcome the opportunity.

Find a good repair shop and stick with ‘em. While most people wouldn’t think of swapping their own family doctor, some folks think nothing of changing car doctors. If you’re getting good service, use ‘em again. There are many good independents and dealers in our area that are anxious to earn your trust and service business. Look at their credentials, length of time in business, certifications, AAA approval, and don’t forget the best one of all, “word of mouth.”

An excellent relationship with your local repair facility is worth its weight in motor oil. A shop or technician that consistently works on your car will quickly get to know it on an intimate basis, and be better able to maintain that “Oh, what a feeling.”

The shop should be willing to track past maintenance and repair items as well as to recommend current and future items that will require attention. If the level of service should fall below your expectations, have a talk with the shop owner, service manager or technician as the case may be. Explain your point of view and perceived automotive needs. A shop worth its spark plugs should respond in a favorable manner. If you’re still unsatisfied with the level of service, change shops. Remember it’s your money; you should never beg anyone to spend it.

One of the more common problems I have witnessed in the past arises in self-diagnosis. Some automobile owners, being somewhat mechanically inclined, will present a car for service asking for a particular repair procedure. For example, a car that exhibits a rotten attitude for the first few miles of an operation but runs OK after warm-up may be presented to the repair shop with a “tune-up” request. This will almost certainly result in frustration for both the shop and customer when, the following morning, you’re standing nose to nose with the service manager squeaking and squealing like a bad set of brake ‘cuz the problem still exists.

A better approach would be to explain the nature of any given problem and ensure that the service manager, or service advisor describes the symptoms on the repair order. The repair order would then read “Customer notes: vehicle runs poorly when cold but OK when warm; diagnose and report needs.” The repair shop is then obligated to report to you the needs and associated price tag prior to spending any money beyond the initial diagnosis.

Good communications at the time of service write-up will prove extremely beneficial for everyone concerned. If necessary, take the time to road test with at technician or service advisor to duplicate your particular problem. Better yet, insist on it.

You’ll also want to be sure that your technician is ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certified. Although this won’t guarantee a flawless job every time, it does display the fact that they cared enough to engage in great amounts of study, fork over a pocketful of cash, and sit through a battery of tests.

Allow me to sum up and review this oratory in a couple of sentences. First, Don’t take good service for granted and never tolerate bad service. And second, show up at the service counter now and then with a dozen hot chocolate chip cookies.