“Is everything okay now?”

          I’ve been asked this question countless times when customers pick up their cars from my shop. It’s one thing that hasn’t changed since the invention of the automobile. Customers want their cars fixed right, and they want the assurance that nothing else is going to go wrong. Unfortunately, mechanical things are destined to break.

          “Everything is a big word,” I tell them. “As long as you are driving, you are going to have problems.” I know that for a fact. I’ve been on the front lines fighting stubborn carburetors, squeaky brakes, and malfunctioning computerized engine systems for the past thirty years. Through it all, I’ve learned a lot about cars and the people who depend on them.

          My insight comes right from the top. As owner and operator of an auto repair shop, I’ve seen and experienced things that employees aren’t privy to or may not care about. These are things you need to know before you take your car in for service.

          In An Insider’s Guide to Auto Repair, I’ll talk about the different types of repair shops, what to expect from them, their internal politics, their mechanics, and their come-ons, plus ways to settle disputes and to keep from falling victim to the unscrupulous. I’ll tell you about the inner workings of your car in terms that will enable you to talk to your mechanic with some degree of expertise. You’ll learn the best way to buy a car and how to take care of it. Along the way, I’ll tell you true stories from behind the scenes, things so bizarre you’ll think this could only be a work of fiction. So settle back for an insider’s tour of the auto repair business. What you discover here could save you time, money, and a whole lot of grief.