Auto Mechanic

Auto Mechanic

Charles ~ Humble Mechanic

Raleigh, NC

Male, 32

I am one of about 200 master certified VW techs in the USA. I do everything from basic maintenance, to advanced diagnosis. I eat, sleep and breathe VWs. I also have my own website dedicated to helping everyone to understand their car, and see the behind the scenes of being an auto mechanic. You can see more at

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Last Answer on October 20, 2013

Best Rated

Do you think cars are getting TOO technologically advanced? Do you and other mechanics wack nostalgic about how older cars may have had fewer bells and whistles but were built far better?

Asked by The Occasional Auto Purist about 12 years ago

GREAT question. Funny, it was something I was chatting with my boss about today. It is an interesting thing to analyze. One the one hand, the less bells and whistles, the less things that can break. But there is another side to it. The more advanced cars get, the easier mechanics can interact with it. We can use a scan tool and see exactly what the car sees. Air, fuel, and even compression can be seen. It can be seen live while a car is driving down the road. We do get nostalgic for older cars. Mostly because we knew how to fix them faster. The new stuff always has a learning curve.

Why Does My 2000 Dodge Caravan Alarm comes on by itself when no one is around ?

Asked by Steve almost 12 years ago

Generally it is a failing sensor. It could be for any of the door sensors or the hood or trunk. 

How good is the city & highway mileage of the Aston Mini Cooper in general?

Asked by Steve over 11 years ago

Steve, refer to the Maroni sticker. You can also get mpg from places like cars.com. 

we have 1995 vw cabrio, after putting in $2200 in parts and labor in this car we scheduled it to be aligned. Just to be told it would cost $94 because it would need to be shimmed. Now they say something is not lining up...wrong tie rods ends??

Asked by erica about 12 years ago

Hi Erica,

The part that would be shimmed would be the rear of the car. Do you know what will not line up? It could be the wrong tierods or tie rod ends. You may also have something else bent.
Please email me Charles(at)humblemechanic(dot)com.  If you have a copy of the alignment sheet let me know. I will take a look at it.

this happened at a Toyota dealership. wouldnt I be able to sue for them telling me that the vehicle is good to go and they allow me to drive off the lot, when the vehicle was not to par w/ safety standards. They broke their service contract. Correct?

Asked by DADE almost 12 years ago

You could sue them. I was just saying that if you do, be sure it's worth it. If the dealer fixed your car(as they should with out question) what other obligation do they have?

 

If they are giving you a hassle about fixing it, then I would put the screws to them for sure.

 

I guess my big question is, What are you trying to get from a lawsuit?

 

Don't think that I am on the side of the dealer here. They messed up, and they need to make it right. I just don't see a lawsuit being worth the time, energy and money..

How would you describe your relationship with Volkswagen (the company)? Do Volkswagen representatives ever ask you for feedback regarding their cars, like what consumers are interested in buying or what parts are unreliable?

Asked by Jason about 12 years ago

Hey Jason, That is an interesting question. There are a few ways that this can happen. 1)There are feedbacks that the mechanics can fill out. That can be anything from an error in a repair manual to a part not fitting right. 2) When we replace a part under warranty, we generally send it back to VW. That allows them to do testing on the part. That is the primary way VW finds out about parts issues. Vw does not really ask us our opinions. You have to remember us mechanics are the bottom of the ladder. Many of the higher ups dont really care what we have to say. That is somewhat understandable. Many mechanics are very cynical and negative. What could be a constructive conversation turn into a whine party. Thankfully, they listen to their customers much more. :)

do all tires have a temperature rating

Asked by pepe almost 12 years ago

As far as I know, they do.