It’s a hassle, but you really do have to maintain your car properly if you want it to run well. But where should you take your car for service?
The technicians at the dealer level are specialists; they are manufacturer-trained and work only on your make of vehicle. Dealers have an ongoing training program for the service staff, which includes not only the service technicians but also the service manager, advisors and support staff . The manufacturers offer these training programs only to their network of dealers. A manufacturer-trained and experienced technician is one of the dealers' biggest assets.
The dealer will perform repairs for free if your car is still under warranty. Dealers are paid by the manufacturers to perform this service and require the service technician to verify the problem. Even if you have to pay for repairs outside the warranty period, dealers can back up their repairs with a warranty that is good nationwide. Thus, if the repair doesn't hold, it can be fixed free of charge at any other dealer.
The dealers can also offer manufacturer-backed extended warranties for both new and used vehicle purchases. The manufacturer-backed extended warranties can make service easier because there is a large network of available dealers; this is especially important if you plan on moving or do a lot of traveling in your vehicle. Small shops can offer warranties on service or repairs, but may not offer the same length of coverage or may cover only the parts or the labor, but not both. And if you travel with your vehicle, your warranty may be worthless wherever it is your car decides to give you trouble.
Dealerships represent the manufacturer. Service departments are required to measure up to corporate standards of customer satisfaction as part of the deal. In fact, customers are often surveyed by the manufacturer or the dealership to measure their satisfaction and to handle any unresolved issues.
Dealer service departments have a distinct advantage when it comes to manufacturer recalls and technical service bulletins. Dealers will automatically check for recalls when you come in for service. Manufacturers and their dealers offer only OE (Original Equipment) parts, which represent a standard of quality and engineering that only the manufacturer can authorize. A 12-month/12,000-mile warranty on parts and labor for repairs and/or service is not uncommon at the dealer level. Many manufacturers offer some of the best warranties in the business on not only the parts but also the dealer's labor to install those parts.
