Howie W and his 1998 Dodge Viper

I was looking for someplace to do an oil change on my 1998 Dodge Viper. I had searched on Google for a repair shop and found Mike’s Auto Repair. When I called them up I found out they had a certified Viper Mechanic on staff. I took my car in and asked for them to use full synthetic oil and genuine Viper oil filter. They told me that was no problem but it would take a little while to get the filter from the dealer and offered me a ride back home. When the car was all done they even came back and picked me up! I was very impressed with the service at Mike’s Auto Repair and will bring my other cars to them as well! Howie W. Huntington Beach, CA

Genuine Viper Oil Filter

Perry and her 2002 Toyota Camry

I have been a customer at Mike’s Auto Repair in Huntington Beach for a few years now and have always received excellent service. When my check engine light came on in my 2002 Toyota Camry I didn’t hesitate to take it to Mike. The Toyota Expert mechanic ran the diagnostic check on my car and found a evaporative leak. After performing a smoke test they found the leak coming from my gas cap. The gas cap was replaced and the light has not come back! Perry M. Huntington Beach, CA

Linda N and her 2010 Infiniti

I found Mike’s Auto Repair a few years ago when I had my 2000 Infiniti I30. They did everything from check engine light repairs to radiator replacement, to oil changes for me on that car. When it was time for me to get a new car I purchased a 2010 Infiniti G37. I loved and trusted Mike’s Auto Repair for what they had done with my old car so much I knew I didn’t want to take my new car anywhere else. And even though a new Infiniti dealer opened right across the street from where I work at Goldenwest College, I believe in supporting small business like Mike’s Auto Repair. Thanks to everyone at Mike’s for always making my visits easy and comfortable. Linda N, Westminster, CA

Oil change Orange County

The last day of our Saving Money on Car Repairs with the Diva! Have you learned things you didn’t know before? I hope it has been fun and informative for you. On to the last tip…

#5 Get a second opinion

In our 18 years in business and over 40 years experience in automotive repair if you need a second opinion you do not have a good relationship with your auto mechanic or repair shop.  In addition a “second opinion” cannot be done over the telephone.  We get numerous telephone calls looking to see if we can do the repair cheaper when the vehicle is in another shop.  When we get these calls we ask the potential telephone customer the actual price that they were given and will let them know in our opinion if it is fair or not. Remember the other shop has the advantage of having the car.  They know exactly what part has failed and if there are any obstacles involved in repairing the car.  So our best advice is if you question the cost of the repair, ask your mechanic what exactly is involved in diagnosing and repairing the vehicle – get a breakdown.  With that knowledge you will then be able to make an informed decision.

Oil change Orange County

For the 4^th tip on saving money on car repair, the Diva tells about “secret warranties” from the dealer!

“#4 Ask your dealer if there’s a secret warranty.  Sometimes, big auto makers have quietly agreed to fix problems with their cars at the dealerships, but only if the customer specifically asks them to pay for the fix.  You can also look up “technical service bulletins” online at Edmunds.com to see if there’s one that covers your problem.  You can also look up recalls and technical service bulletins at SaferCar.gov the federal highway safety website.”

In our experience the Diva’s “secret warranty” is actually a potential repair that could possibly happen to the vehicle, but it is not wide spread enough to be a manufacturer’s recall, but serious enough that if the repair does occur on the vehicle it is under an extended manufacturer’s warranty.  All reputable dealers or independent auto repair shops have the software to advise the customer if the vehicle has an extended warranty for the specific repair. The other online sources the Diva mentions are also good sources for the consumer.

Day 3 of our Tips for Saving Money on car repair and the topic the Diva discusses today is used parts for your older car.

“#3  Ask your mechanic to install used parts in your older cars.  I learned this tip from my own mechanic, a nice guy who saw no reason to put brand new parts into my aging beaters.  Instead, he’d look for reconditioned parts for me, which generally cost half the price of new ones.”

Oil change Orange County

In my opinion the Diva has hit on a grey area when she asked her mechanic to install used parts.  Especially in older cars we have found used parts from salvage yards to cost at a premium because of their availability.  Our suggestion is instead of used parts or original equipment manufacturer parts known as “OEM dealer parts” authorize aftermarket or rebuilt parts if available. With used parts there is usually only a 90 day guarantee from the salvage yard (AAA approved garage or not). The aftermarket and rebuilt parts are just as reliable as the OEM and have a better guarantee from the manufacturer.

Oil change Orange County

Continuing with the Diva’s tips on saving money on car repair, tip #2 is about regular maintenance to keep your old car on the road.

#2 Change the oil in your engine regularly, so you can keep your old car as long as you can.  Yes, reliability is an issue with older cars, but zero car payments, drastically lower insurance premiums and tiny vehicle licenses fees are big factors that will keep me driving my 14 year old Toyota 4Runner until it goes to the junkyard in the sky.

Agreeing with the Diva maintenance, maintenance, maintenance will preserve your vehicle and keep it reliable.  Not just changing the oil every 5,000 miles, but have a complete inspection so you know the condition of your tires, brakes and other fluids and have your mechanic prioritize repairs and maintenance so you are aware of what you need done right away or save your dollars for next time.  My own experience with regular coolant flushes kept the water pump and hoses in my 2000 Dodge Caravan going an extra 50,000 miles before having to replace it when the odometer hit 120,000 miles.  And with regular transmission fluid exchanges my transmission continues to run with 160,000 miles.

Oil change Orange County

Being a female owner in the automotive repair business for over 18 years along with my husband Mike, I got a kick reading “The Diva Knows” article (April 22, 2012 OC Register) on 5 ways to save money on car repairs.  Though her five helpful hints are good, I was compelled to include just a few more helpful hints when trying to save money on car repairs and find a mechanic.  Today I will start with our Diva’s #1 suggestion.

“Keep looking until you find a great mechanic.  Check on Yelp.com for recommendations or ask your neighbors.  You can even ask tow-truck drivers or other mechanics who they like, though be aware that some tow-truck drivers get commissions for sending you to certain garages.  If you have your car repaired at a AAA-approved facility, parts and labor on mechanical repairs are guaranteed for 12 months or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first.”

Mike’s Auto Repair feels the best time to find an auto mechanic is when you don’t need one.  Finding an auto mechanic is like looking for a good doctor.  Our “Diva” recommends checking on Yelp.com for recommendations.  Though it is a good source to start and would say the majority are “actual” reviews, be cautious.  Some auto repair shops hire companies to write their reviews or contact their customer base directly to write reviews only posting the positive.  I personally think it odd to see an automotive shop with 50 reviews with all five stars.  When you see an auto repair with a bad review – remember there are always two sides to every story.  A shop owner that writes a professional rebuttal deserves some credit and is probably a fair place to do business with.  Word of mouth is the best source of finding a fair and honest mechanic and I agree with our Diva – ask your family, neighbors and friends where they take their car.

Our Diva also suggests trusting tow truck drivers to make a shop recommendation but be leery that the tow truck driver could receive a commission from a shop.  Again, agreeing with our Diva we know many a tow truck driver in our area that expects a “tip” from a shop when bringing in a new car/customer.  Know that is against the law.  If looking for a recommendation from a tow truck driver ask to see the approved AAA garage facility pamphlet of recommended shops.  If he tries to steer you away from the original shop you picked go with your gut feeling.  People can usually tell when it is in their best interest or not.  You can always call ahead and talk to the shop to get a good feel too.

Our Diva is not aware, but going to a AAA approved shop your warranty is now 24 months or 24,000 miles whichever comes first.  That is a big plus for the consumer.

Dr. Tran 2006 Honda CR-V Oil Change

I am in a networking group, LeTip, with Mike’s Auto Repair. When my 2006 Honda CR-V needed an oil change I took it to Mike’s. I had an appointment to come in right after our weekly meeting. They understood that as an Optometrist I needed to get to my office so they performed my service while I waited. The service was quick and even included a tire rotation and complete inspection. Now I know my car is safe and my patients can count on me to get to my office! Dr. Tran, Attentive Eye Care Optometry

Julie and her hot little H2

This hot little H2 is Julie’s baby and she wants to take care of it right. She had never really had any problems with it before so when she noticed a coolant leak and her check engine light come on she didn’t know where to go!

“I had never had to do anything but regular maintenance to my 2004 Hummer H2 so when I noticed coolant on the floor and then my check engine light came on I almost panicked! I took it to a couple of different places and each place told me something different. I was so confused. Then a friend of mine told me he takes his H2 to Mike’s Auto Repair in Huntington Beach and is very happy. I called them up and set up an appointment to take it in. They were very professional. After the Hummer expert mechanic ran diagnostics they found my radiator was leaking and also the check engine light was on because the Catalytic Convertor  was bad. They replaced the radiator and water pump to take care of the coolant leak. They also replaced the catalytic convertor and the O2 sensors. Now my little baby is back on the road and I am so happy! I can’t thank my friend enough for introducing my to Mike’s Auto Repair, my new auto repair shop for all my maintenance and repairs!” Julie M, Huntington Beach