Auto Care Advice for College-Bound Students
 | (NewsUSA) - There's one more item for college-bound students to add to their checklists before heading off to campus this fall: Make sure your vehicle is in good working condition and that routine services have been performed to minimize the chance of a breakdown during the school year, note the experts at the nonprofit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).
"Students who commute need reliable transportation day in and day out to make it to classes on time," notes Martin Lawson, ASE's editorial director, "while those who live on campus and use their cars less frequently could find themselves stranded in the satellite parking lot by a dead battery in cold weather." The following tips from ASE -- the group that tests and certifies automotive technicians -- should help students and their parents choose a repair facility. - Start shopping for a repair facility before you need one. - Arrange for transportation in advance so you will not feel forced to choose a shop based on its location. - Look for a neat, well-organized facility, with vehicles in the parking lot equal in value to your own and modern equipment in the service bays. - Look for a courteous staff, with a service consultant willing to answer all of your questions. - Look for policies regarding estimated repair costs, diagnostic fees, guarantees, and acceptable methods of payment. - Ask whether the repair facility specializes or usually handles your type of repair work. - Look for signs of professionalism in the customer service area such as civic, community or customer service awards. - Look for evidence of qualified technicians: trade school diplomas, certificates of advanced course work, and certification by ASE. - Look for the ASE sign. It means that one or more of the technicians have earned nationally recognized certifications. For more information, visit www.ase.com. |