A huge factor in keeping your car in mint shape is leaving its maintenance in good hands; thus, this post by Ken Reaser Enterprises in Apopka shares a few tips on how to find a mechanic you can trust.

Having a trustworthy mechanic is every car owner's dream, especially when dealing with unexpected engine damage. You can only imagine how stressful it might be to take notice of sudden ignition problems in your car, an oil leak, or a burning smell coming out from your engine. Under those circumstances, it pays off to leave your vehicle in skilled and reputable hands. It's also important to note that, even if you are usually involved in your vehicle's preventive maintenance, you still need a qualified professional to do the mechanic procedures that can only be done with specialized tools or might be dangerous for DIY. So, if you need to find a mechanic but are uncertain about where to start your search, read this post by Ken Reaser Enterprises and learn a few helpful tips on how to find the right professional.

Ensure top-notch protection for your engine by adding high-quality lubricants to it, like AMSOIL's Signature Series 5W-50 Synthetic Motor Oil. To place an order on the top-quality synthetic oil in Apopka, call Ken Reaser Enterprises at (321) 230-6958 or browse AMSOIL's online store.

How to Find a Mechanic

For Starters, Ask for Recommendations

When choosing a mechanic, you might feel tempted to go to the nearest, newest, or most advertised mechanics shops; however, asking for referrals is key to learning about the most reputable, trustworthy mechanics. After all, word-of-mouth recommended mechanics are usually professionals who've had spent years building a good reputation by offering reasonable price rates and friendly service. Hence, consider making a list of recommended mechanic shops by asking your family, friends, and anyone whose opinion you trust for referrals. Now, if someone you know owns the exact vehicle as you, take this opportunity to ask them about the price rates they get for routine maintenance procedures, such as an oil change, a tire rotation, or a brake pad replacement. Doing this will help you get familiar with what's considered expensive or reasonably priced in terms of your car's regular maintenance.

Look For Information Online

After hearing about reputable mechanics through your family and friends' recommendations, make sure to look them up online to see if they have reviews and ratings from customers; to that end, search for them at Yelp, Facebook, and Google. If you find enough reviews, look at their quality; for instance, are most reviews positive or negative? Do customers share a common negative experience or complaint? Is the mechanic shop's account responding to negative reviews, and if they are, how are they responding? As you might expect, looking for information online will allow you to learn valuable insights to consider when narrowing down your options and choosing the right mechanic.

Keep your vehicle working as expected by giving it a synthetic oil change in Apopka. To place an order for high-quality lubricants for your engine, call Ken Reaser Enterprises at (321) 230-6958 or browse AMSOIL's online store.

ASE Certified Mechanics Should Top Your List

Another excellent tip for finding a mechanic you can trust is looking for an ASE-certified professional. Yes, not all reputable mechanics are necessarily certified by The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence; in fact, you can find high-level skilled, trustworthy professionals without any certification. However, ASE-certified credentials prove commitment to the standards of the automotive service industry. To get certified, mechanics must go through one or two years of hands-on working training, in some cases a two-year school experience to get a degree in automotive repair, and on top of it all, pass a certification test. So, if you are looking for a committed and up-to-date automotive expert, make sure a certified mechanic should top your list.

Compare Estimates

After narrowing down your options to around five mechanic shops, make sure to ask for a free estimate on a basic regular maintenance procedure (such as an oil change) to compare their price rates upfront. Once you get all the quotes, review their estimated charges and make sure to understand each cost, including how much each shop charges for hourly rates of labor, parts, or any other charge estimate. Overall, it's super important that you understand each shop's price rates to compare and determine which estimate works best for you.

Finally, Trust Your Gut

Our last recommendation is that you should go with your gut when meeting your prospective mechanics. Although this suggestion might sound strange, you must get to know each of the few shops left on your shortlist to take note of the overall experience; to that end, ask for an oil change or a simple check for your vehicle at each shop; once there, talk to the mechanics checking your car. Ask them about their experience in the automotive service industry, and make sure to ask questions about your car's condition. Take note of how they respond to you; are they friendly? Are they willing to listen to each and all your questions? Are they clear when explaining technical details about your car to you? All these factors can help you determine who you feel more comfortable establishing a long-term professional relationship with, hence the importance of going with your gut.

Aside from learning how to find a mechanic you can trust, make sure to use reliable lubricants for your vehicle's preventive maintenance, like AMSOIL's Signature Series 5W-50 Synthetic Motor Oil. To place an order on the most efficient synthetic oil in Apopka, call Ken Reaser Enterprises at (321) 230-6958 or browse AMSOIL's online store.