What If Your Hybrid Needs Repairs?
Hybrids have become some of the hottest property around, thanks to that one-two punch of environmental consciousness and skyrocketing gas prices. In fact, according to Automotive News, sales of the Toyota Prius are up nearly 4 percent from last year and a year-old Prius is now worth more than it was when it was new.
That’s good news for owners – and for the environment – but this new ownership comes with some new questions. Like – Where do you get it fixed if you are far from your home dealership?
The answer, according to Angie Hicks – namesake and founder of Angie’s List, a service company rating site – is getting easier to find.
“Right now the easiest way to ensure you get a hybrid-certified mechanic is to use the service department of a dealership that sells new hybrid vehicles,” recommends Hicks. “Mechanics at those dealerships are required to undergo extensive hybrid training that some independent mechanics may not have gotten yet.”
However, with hybrids heating up the market, more repair shops are sending their mechanics back to school to learn the tricks of this new trade. She advises to simply ask for proof that the mechanic is certified to work on a hybrid before handing him the keys.
The best plan, of course, is to find a certified mechanic before you need one. Developing a long-term relationship with your mechanic is always a good idea, so plan ahead and start cultivating this before you need one. Some of Hicks’ tips for hybrid auto repair also include:
- Never work on the electrical system yourself.
- Be timely with the tire rotations, as the torque of a hybrid engines can wear out tires faster than on a traditional gasoline engine.
- Keep your routine – maintenance, that is. Staying current on your regular maintenance schedule extends the life of your hybrid in addition to preserving its resale value.
As if lower gas bills and environmental do-goodism weren’t enough, Hicks found another piece of good news for hybrid owners: Maintenance and repair costs are less than maintenance of traditional vehicles, thanks to fewer components that require regular maintenance. So you aren’t just driving green – you’re saving green!
Sphere: Related Content
Related Posts:
Tags: Automotive News, hybrid maintenance and repair, hybrids, new car sales, Paula Felps, Toyota Prius