Finding the right person to service your vehicle can be just as frustrating as the glowing check engine light on your dashboard. While routine service and maintenance can be a hassle, it doesn’t have to be. The solution to most of your car pains can be solved at the very place you first held your keys: the dealership. Car dealer services are one of the easiest ways to maintain one of your largest investments, as they have quality equipment and top professionals who are trained specifically to repair the exact make and model of your car.
While the dealership might not be the first place you think of to get an oil change or fix a flat, more often than not, it’s the best place to go. In this article we’re discussing the key reasons you should seek service from your dealership and how to be notified of pesky problems before they even arise.
Certified Technicians
According to Edmunds analysts, the average new car costs more than $40,000, meaning that when it comes to maintenance and service, you should be seeking out top professionals to deliver quality results. While the technicians at your local repair shop can handle an array of problems, they might not have experience working with your specific vehicle. The technicians at the dealership are trained directly by the manufacturer and typically work only on your make of vehicle. These technicians are aware of any recalls and will know how to take care of the problem the first time.
Professional Equipment
Not to say that Joe’s Corner Shop doesn’t have excellent equipment, but more often than not, the dealership has top-of-the-line equipment that’s designed exactly for your car’s make and model. Some diagnostic equipment for today’s automobiles can cost over $100,000, and your dealership is required to purchase and use this equipment. It’s also worth noting your dealership’s expansive network. If your dealer doesn’t have the piece of equipment needed for the repair, they have easy access to a network of other dealers that can get the part to your provider quickly. No more waiting days on end for the part to arrive at the shop.
Accurate and Quality Parts
New car dealerships use only original parts for their repairs, ensuring that customers receive quick repairs and genuine parts every time. Local repair shops often source aftermarket parts that can be utilized across multiple makes and models. The downside of this is that there is no guarantee that the part will work correctly, or withstand the test of time, for your specific vehicle. With car dealer services, you don’t have to worry about whether or not the part will cause more harm than good. A dealership will only use parts that meet the standards and requirements of your vehicle.
Warranties
All of today’s new cars have some form of a manufacturer warranty that outlines maintenance schedule and repair procedures. While these services and repairs can be made at a third-party shop, they won’t be covered under the manufacturer specific warranty. Car dealer services eliminate the possibility of voiding the warranty for failure to meet requirements. Plus, for even more value and added protection, extended service contracts can be purchased from your dealer, allowing you to save time and money on future repairs.
Complete History of Vehicle
Think about when you need to see a doctor for a routine check-up or physical. You wouldn’t go to just any medical professional for these services, you would go to your primary doctor. Why? Because they have the complete history of your medical record, which quite frankly, makes things a whole lot easier. Your car should be treated the same way. When you return to your dealer for service, it allows them to have a comprehensive record of your vehicle history, ensuring that the right work gets done every time. Your dealer will also be aware of any recalls and will be trained by the manufacturer on how to address them accordingly.
How to Know It’s Time for Service
Of course, knowing where to get routine maintenance and service is only half the battle. The other half is knowing what services your vehicle even needs in the first place. Thanks to the advancement of technology, drivers can be notified of routine maintenance directly on their smartphones through apps such as Elo GPS. Elo GPS’ CarRx feature scans your vehicle every 15 minutes while it’s running and will send a diagnostic report if a problem arises that triggers your check engine light. The system can translate over 10,000 error codes into plain English, providing easy to understand explanations. Take the “stress and guess” out of the check engine light and understand whether or not it is safe to keep driving.
Conclusion
Whether to receive car dealer services or seek local repairs is a heavily debated topic. While both offer benefits and drawbacks, car dealer services have a higher rate of delivering satisfaction each time. If you’re interested in receiving service and maintenance alerts or would like the peace of mind of knowing what’s wrong with your vehicle when a problem arises, ask your dealership about advanced GPS services and how to get started with Elo GPS and CarRx.