SAN FRANCISCO – For some motorists, a trip to the auto repair shop can feel like visiting a foreign country. It’s a strange environment that makes them uneasy.

But talking to your auto technician doesn’t have to be stressful if you follow some simple advice from AAA Northern California.

 

“AAA wants drivers to know that a visit to a repair shop can be much easier, and less stressful, than they might initially think,” said AAA Northern California spokesperson Matt Skryja. “One of the best ways to find a trusted auto technician is going to a AAA Approved Auto Repair facility. These shops meet stringent AAA auto repair standards for quality, integrity and professionalism. Shops can be located online at www.aaa.com/repair .”

 

When communicating with an automotive technician, AAA offers the following advice:

 

• Write down notes. Before taking the vehicle to a repair facility, write down notes on the vehicle’s symptoms and performance so important information is not overlooked or forgotten. Include any observations, even if they seem silly or irrelevant.

• Describe the symptoms. Don’t suggest a solution. Instead, explain what has been seen, smelled, heard and felt while driving the vehicle. For example, does it vibrate or pull to the left? Explain under what type of driving conditions the problems takes place and how long ago it started.

• Be precise. For example, explain that a rattle under the hood starts at 40 miles per hour or an issue occurs only on cold days after the engine has been running for 10 minutes.

• Say driver’s side or passenger’s side. When describing symptoms, don’t say they’re on the left or right side of the vehicle. Instead, say driver’s or passenger’s side to avoid confusion.

• Bring copies of recent repair orders. This can help explain a vehicle’s problems.

Motorists should ask questions if a technician uses jargon they don’t understand.

Also, be sure to read over repair orders before signing them and insist that descriptions of parts, not just the serial numbers, appear on the bill.

Before authorizing a repair, be sure to get a written description of any warranty the shop provides.