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Many automobile owners have experienced the frustration of trying to get an intermittent problem with their vehicle fixed. These conditions can be incredibly hard to diagnose, even with the perspective of an experienced mechanic. They are so complicated to diagnose that some mechanics will not even bother looking at it until the problem occurs with great regularity or is able to be reproduced. That can be a frustrating stance for a mechanic to take for someone that may be having stalling or braking problems that might occur while in traffic.
Working with your repair center to diagnose the problem is much like working with a doctor to diagnose an illness. They need to have the right information to make the decisions that need to be made. Without that information, it is not likely the automobile will be fixed correctly the first time. The following steps are some measures a driver can take to help expedite the repair of their vehicle.
*Make a note of when the condition is occurring. Do not try and convert it to technical speak. That is the job of the mechanic. Instead, note things such as “car stalls when accelerating starting at about 55 MPH”. The technician will be able to use that more specific information to help narrow down what could be the actual problem.
*Extremely difficult repairs should be made at a dealer shop. They are generally far better equipped with more knowledgeable employees than regular garages. This will also make it easier to escalate the problem to a manufacturer representative in the event that the issue cannot be reasonably resolved.
*Inquire with the technician if there are any recalls or Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) that are related to your symptoms. This seems like an obvious thing but many technicians skip doing it altogether.
*Requesting to schedule some time with a service manager can give the specific time needed to explain the issue to someone with a good knowledge of cars. If the problem is able to be replicated, ask to take a technician or supervisor for a short ride to show them. One can grant permission to a supervisor to actually drive the vehicle home that evening and back to work the next day to diagnose intermittent technical problems.
*Customers are constantly coming in, screaming, and complaining about things they often do not understand. A calm, collected customer is a welcome reprieve that will often be met with a higher degree of service and understanding. Strive to remain amicable even when the situation may be going poorly. The staff will notice and it will reflect on the quality of service you receive. Contrary to popular belief, those individuals often do want to help you.
