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Learn how to talk to the person who repairs your car, and you‘ll save a lot of time, money and frustration. The classic â€" and all too comâ€" mon â€" way of how not to talk to a mechanic is to say: "It doesn‘t run. Fix it." When you bring in your car for repair, be as specific as possible about the problem. PAGE 42 â€" WATERLOO CHRONICLE, WEDNESDAY APRIL 13, 1988 First, take the time to write down the answers to such quesâ€" tions as: Auto Tips 1. When is the overheating most â€" noticeable? When â€" the weather is cold? When it‘s hot? At high speed? At stop lights? When pulling a load? _ 2. What symptoms are present? Steam from under the hood? Bubbling or hissing sounds? Don‘t spoil vacations This promises to be a big year for vacation travel by car. These trips will be spoiled for thousands of families who have car trouble of one kind or another. Most breakdowns can be avoided by preventive maintenance. Have your car checked over thoroughly so that necessary repairs can be done on your own home turf. Guard against cooling problems Automotive experts estimate that over three million motorists are marooned each year by a disabled cooling system. ( BBz 0 a en F ‘ fxef h «s f "“"nllhpl 4 J â€" 4 eA e 3 cg 3 prll @ (9j C1 @ (0j Fa 2ib xZ eS w ‘ | I= _A 4x . â€" \ L, ing how to talk | to y t ' | z. o your a h 3 | 9 â€" Learn how to talk to the person _ Leaking coolant? Don‘t try to diagnose the probâ€" & € C . * & & N Oâ€"â€"_ â€"â€"22 ho repairs your car, and you‘ll 3. How long has this problem lem yourself unless you know fl‘- B 2 N l ve a lot of time, money and been occurring, and is it now â€" what you are talking about, and '.‘!r, ‘A ;\ . . ustration. worse? you are willing to pay for an inpal (4 l J .. The classic â€" and all too comâ€" 4. Has overheating happened unnecessary repair. C Y3 .»’f'\‘ â€" Lz on â€" way of how not to talk to a _ before and been repaired? What Ask for a written estimate, and :_ \. . echanic is to say: "It doesn‘t was done, and when? make sure the service order * | \ . | in. Fix it." 5. If you tried to fix it yourself, states that no major repairs are ‘ mm J cagll : ww * When you bring in your car for what did you do and what parts authorized until you‘ve received _ _ K. j}M‘fl es naoir ho oc enarific as nnsgihle â€" ware renlared? the ectimate. _ been occurring, and is worse? 4. Has overheating h before and been repaire 5. If you tried to fix it yourself, what did you do and what parts were replaced? 6. When was the last time the cooling system was serviced? Has the system ever been drained and flushed? 7. Have â€" major â€" components (hoses, belts, thermostat, liquid coolant, radiator cap) been reâ€" placed in the past two to four Then give this information to the dealer, service manager or mechanic, and give some thought to any additional questions. During your next fillâ€"up at a full service station, ask the attendant to check the condition of the liquid coolant and the drive belts, plus the radiator, pressure cap and all the hoses. Check the brake system A preâ€"vacation car check should include the brakes. It‘s wise to know if your car‘s brakes are reaching marginal condition before starting off on a long vacation trip. Emergency kit useful When packing for a vacation, include an emergency kit. Basic tools, plus jumper cables and a flashlight, can be the most important items in your car. Don‘t try to diagnose the probâ€" lem yourself unless you know what you are talking about, and you are willing to pay for an unnecessary repair. Ask for a written estimate, and Ask for a written estimate, and make sure the service order states that no major repairs are authorized until you‘ve received the estimate. Finally, leave a phone number where you can be reached so that the car won‘t sit half disasâ€" sembled while they try to obtain your approval for repairs. "You wondered why we were always adding to the radiator. I think I‘ve found the leak..."