President's Message

Very few of us plan ahead to deal with a car problem; we often just cross our fingers and hope for the best. That's the "hit or miss" plan of car care.

There's a better way. Take the opportunity to deal with car repair before a major problem is staring you in the face. Start by actively looking for a facility with which to establish a relationship. Ask for recommendations from family, friends and neighbors.

If you look for the AAA Approved Auto Repair
sign, this key detail tells you that AAA has conducted its own investigation of the shop to ensure that customers will enjoy a positive automotive repair experience. To be able to post the AAR sign, a shop must meet AAA's stringent standards for training, equipment and customer service. There are approximately 4,600 Approved Auto Repair (AAR) shops in the United States.

AAR shops have agreed to provide members with a maintenance inspection, a written estimate and a 12-month or 12,000-mile warranty. These facilities also allow AAA to investigate and mediate repair service transactions that have been disputed by members, and to abide by AAA's resolution.

You will find that AAR shops and other reputable repair facilities have advanced diagnostic equipment as well as computers, which store volumes of repair manual information. A shop with the right tools will be more likely to efficiently and accurately diagnose and repair problems.

AAA recommends doing a test run of sorts. Bring your vehicle in for minor service, such as an oil change or tire rotation. Observe the service area, see if there are any vehicles similar to yours being serviced, and talk to service personnel. If something about the service you receive leaves you feeling dissatisfied, discuss it with the service manager or owner. Reputable shops value constructive feedback and will make an effort to keep you as a customer.

A listing of local AAR facilities can be found at www.aaa.com Approved Auto Repair

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