LIFESTYLE
Jaguar Land Rover’s influence on the rise of the popular SUV sector
When something goes wrong with a car, most of us just want the problem fixed so we can get on the road again as soon as possible.
We’ve listed some important points to help you prepare for a trip to the repair shop.
Communication
The more information a vehicle owner is able to convey to a technician, the easier it is for them to diagnose and fix the problem.
Write down ahead of time what symptoms your vehicle has, noting sounds, sensations, leaks and smells, as well as when and how often they occur. What happened just before the car stopped running; how did it function the day before it didn’t start? Note when the vehicle was last looked at, as the problem could relate to a previous repair.
Here are a selection of terms that can help explain common vehicle symptoms:
Backfire: A gunshot-like sound from the engine or exhaust pipe.
Bottoming out: Excessive noise, shock, or harshness felt when driving over large bumps.
Flaring: When the engine revs up between transmission gear changes, or the transmission slips as it changes gears and the vehicle lurches. Running on: When an engine runs briefly after the car has been switched off.
Hesitation: A brief loss of power on acceleration.
Knocking/Pinking: A rapid rattling from the engine heard on acceleration.
Misfire: Hesitation that occurs when fuel in one or more of an engine’s cylinders fails to ignite properly.
Shimmy: A side-to-side motion felt through the tyres and/or steering wheel.
Sluggish: How a car feels when it’s not accelerating smoothly or strongly enough.
Surge: A sudden, usually upward, change in the engine’s speed.
Pulsation: A vibration from the brake pedal and/or steering wheel felt when braking at higher speeds.
Set realistic expectations
Make sure you request an estimate and find out how long the car will need to be in the workshop. Even if it’s a relatively quick fix, realise there may have also been time spent on diagnosing the issue. Know your budget, and plan in advance how you will pay.
Don’t drop off a dirty or cluttered vehicle
Tidy up your vehicle before taking it in for service and be sure to clear out the back seat and boot of items such as strollers, golf clubs and tools. The technician may need to remove them to access a part or perform a repair.
Make yourself available
Leave your contact details with the workshop and try to respond promptly if they get in touch. If the technician isn’t able to contact you to approve a repair, your car could sit until you respond. You’ll also want to know when the car is ready and how much the bill is before picking your car up.
Let the technician work
Though it’s appropriate to spend time with the technician to explain the problem, it can be distracting and dangerous to hang around. If you’ll be waiting at the workshop for a diagnosis or quick service, take a seat in the waiting room, grab a cup of coffee and let the professionals do their job.