The most important thing you can do to maintain your car’s safety, is to keep up on regular scheduled maintenance. Although it’s your responsibility to get your car to the shop when it needs upkeep, you also have to watch out for mechanics that cut corners when doing their job.
Get What You Pay For
A huge issue that you might not consider, is that garages might charge you for repairs and maintenance, but they don’t actually do the work or do it improperly. It’s suggested that you go to a service center that has a viewing window, so you can see the mechanic doing the work.
When you book a service, be sure to find out exactly what it entails and go over the checklist before they do the work so you’re not caught off guard. For example, if you want your brakes looked at, be sure the garage takes off the tires and does a thorough inspection, rather than just looking with the wheels on.
Bad Brakes, Rotors, and Calipers
Rotors can last for many years under normal conditions, but if your brakes are allowed to go bad then the rotors can crack, warp, grind, or even seize up. Some mechanics don’t alert the customer when the brakes need to be replaced, and then it ends up costing hundreds more to replace the rotors.
Calipers play a central role in your car’s braking system. They wrap around the brakes and act as a bracket to support the brake pads. If brake pads are allowed to go bad, then the caliper grinds against the rotor making it extremely dangerous to drive and very costly to repair.
Tires
When you go in for maintenance or an inspection, your mechanic should inspect and rotate your tires for even wear. Bad brakes and uneven tires can mess with your vehicle’s alignment, which can lead to a dangerous collision.
Make sure the garage removes the tires and checks for any worn spots and rotates the tires for even wear. If you’ve been in a car accident because of bad brakes, worn tires, or improper alignment, caused by a garage cutting corners, contact a Bay Area auto injury attorney that can help you.
Oil and Filter Change
It’s so important to the life of your car’s engine to use quality oil and have it changed regularly. You might be tempted to get the cheapest oil available in order to save cash, but running your car on less expensive types can destroy your engine.
A skilled technician will also change the filter and ensure that the old oil is properly drained and replaced with clean, fresh, high quality oil. You might be tempted to save a few dollars in the short term, but spending a little extra on an oil change will save you thousands in the long run.
The Dangers of Cutting Corners
Without regular scheduled vehicle maintenance, you might be completely unaware that your vehicle is unsafe. Bad brakes, tires, and improperly cared for engines are just some of the things that can cause a dangerous accident.
Something as simple as a worn tire can turn into a blow-out and potentially cause an accident with property damage, personal injuries, or even death. Cutting corners might seem tempting, but taking care of your vehicle with proper maintenance is always the safer and smarter choice.
