How to avoid being ripped off at the auto repair shop?
One seasoned auto mechanic is warning consumers to be well-versed in how a car works to avoid being ripped off at the auto repair shop. “Joe,” who has been a mechanic for 40 years, agreed to reveal the secrets of his trade to ABC News’ “20/20” on the condition that his identity would remain concealed.
What makes a car stop in the middle of the road?
Alternator troubles make car turns off while driving. Source: The Sun. An error alternator is one of the most expected reasons make your car stop in the middle of the road. So if there is a problem with the car alternator, it loses the ability to charge the electrical system, which actually causes the power drain.
How does a stop start system work on a car?
Several vehicle alterations are necessary to make stop-start viable. You can’t get the same effect by keying off your car manually. First off, the starter motor has to be more robust so it stays reliable despite being used far more often. Likewise, the battery must have deep cycle capability that can endure more frequent draws from the starter.
Can a stop start car work in traffic?
Stop-start cars have electronic power steering and the engine will start to support it. The Verdict All three of our test subjects delivered the estimated 10 percent in city traffic. People who live in particularly tough traffic areas with long wait times could do even better.
Alternator troubles make car turns off while driving. Source: The Sun. An error alternator is one of the most expected reasons make your car stop in the middle of the road. So if there is a problem with the car alternator, it loses the ability to charge the electrical system, which actually causes the power drain.
Why does my car keep cutting off when I stop?
Why does my car keep cutting off when I stop? If your car shuts off after you stop it is because the engine is very sensitive at idle. This can be caused by many things but is usually caused by a lean fuel mixture, causing the idle to drop too low.
What to do when your car shuts off?
If your car does shut off when you remove your alternator plug, you may have to put a diode in line on the field exciter wire to keep the alternator from back feeding to the ignition switch. Again check with the harness manufacturer for help.
What should you do if your car stops running?
If your fuel gauge shows you have sufficient fuel and your car still stops running, you should go get it checked by a mechanic. An alternator is responsible for managing the supply of electricity in your vehicle. If your car suddenly stops running, it is possible that the alternator has gone bad.
One seasoned auto mechanic is warning consumers to be well-versed in how a car works to avoid being ripped off at the auto repair shop. “Joe,” who has been a mechanic for 40 years, agreed to reveal the secrets of his trade to ABC News’ “20/20” on the condition that his identity would remain concealed.
What makes auto mechanics cheat or push unnecessary repairs?
What drives mechanics to cheat or push unnecessary repairs, Joe said, is the tiny profit margin at many repair shops. Most mechanics are honest, he said, but many are pressured by their bosses to perform unnecessary work. “The shop has to stay in business,” Joe said. “There are pressures to do things that maybe you wouldn’t do normally.”
How can auto mechanics jack up your repair bill?
Jacking Up Repairs Based off the ‘Idiot Light’text:One of the most common, and profitable, ways to jack up a repair bill is exploiting fears over the “check engine” light, affectionately known by some in the trade as the “idiot light,” Joe said. “The check engine light will direct you to a failure code,” he said.
Where did 20 / 20 go to get car serviced?
“20/20” went undercover at several auto repair shops in New York and New Jersey to see if mechanics would add unnecessary repairs and fees to service a “20/20” producer’s car, which had been given a clean bill of health by two licensed mechanics beforehand.