DETROIT – Forget Michigan winters, our steamy summers can do just as much damage under the hood of our cars.
"The last two weeks have been super busy and it's because of the heat," says Jerry Reygaert, owner of Rey's Auto Repair Shop in Utica.
Common summer time car problems:
- Coolant issues
- Water pump leakage
- Radiator leakage
- A/C dying
"You can't forget to keep up on maintenance in the summer, especially if you're taking a long road trip," Raygaert said. "You should come in one to two weeks before your trip to get your car specked, that way you have a piece of mind and don't get stranded."
So what if you do get stranded, in the middle of nowhere? Car experts at RepairPal have five tips:
Don't Gamble
Walking into the first shop that you find on Google is like rolling the dice, do your homework by searching for a shop with certified technicians.
Know numbers
Research average repair prices before visiting the shop and note any prices much higher or lower than the average (which may signal low quality parts or potential overbilling).
Road Trip Check-up
Because unexpected breakdowns are usually much more costly than preventative work, get your vehicle inspected by a shop you trust at least one week before you hit the road.
Think Ahead
Because a poorly-executed repair could leave you coming back weeks later, always choose a shop that offers an excellent warranty in case anything goes wrong.
Take reviews with a grain of salt
While review sites like Yelp and Foursquare are great for finding a good burger, fake reviews and unknowledgeable customers make these types of sites unsuitable to select an auto shop.
As a free resource, www.repairpal.com independently certifies auto repair shops nationwide, provides data on the average cost of each repair, and offers trusted customer reviews — eliminating the need to shop around.
To learn more about Rey's Auto & Tire Center in Utica – check out their Facebook page.