Your Well Trained Technician At West Service Center, Inc.
When your van has a problem, or just needs some routine service, you might get a little nervous. Your car’s so important to your life in Chesapeake, you need to back on the road as soon as possible – with the problem fixed right the first time.
If you’ve ever checked into some of the technician training West Service Center, Inc. professionals receive, you may be surprised at how much specialized knowledge and skill goes into diagnosing and repairing a modern car. For example: Today there are four cylinder engines that generate more power than the 1980s-era V-8’s. I mean a new V-6 Toyota Camry could beat Sonny Crocket’s Ferrari in a race to sixty.
Our engines are more and more powerful and at the same time their fuel economy keeps inching up – even with steep Norfolk gas prices. They are also amazingly reliable: Kudos to the automotive engineers at the leading auto manufacturers. But the advances come at the price of simplicity. The modern cars Norfolk drivers drive around Virginia freeways are so much more complex from a mechanical standpoint that it makes your head spin – not to mention the electronics.
Some vans have several networked computers controlling most of the engine functions and many other vehicle operations as well. Norfolk motorists take all of this sophistication for granted – but somebody has to fix it when it breaks. It’s a real challenge for Chesapeake West Service Center, Inc. technicians to keep up, but we work hard to stay ahead of the technology. It requires a high level of commitment on the part of the technicians and the Norfolk service centers as well.
West Service Center, Inc. technicians receive training through a combination of formal classroom training, training provided at West Service Center, Inc. by parts and equipment manufacturers, on-line courses and home study courses.
In addition to the expensive training, there’s the financial commitment for West Service Center, Inc. to purchase the diagnostic and repair tools.
There are many independent certifications available at West Service Center, Inc. all the way up to Master Technician. The ability to repair your van requires a strong combination of training and resources. No one can know everything, so Norfolk auto service centers subscribe to data services, technical libraries and even on-line communities that can help them when they run into a difficult problem.
It’s like those medical diagnosis shows on TV. Here are the symptoms – what’s the diagnosis and treatment? Diagnosis is every bit as much an art as a science. At West Service Center, Inc., we want everything to be simple, straightforward and inexpensive – but sometimes it just isn’t.
The next time you bring us your van, don’t worry. You’re in good hands at West Service Center, Inc..
Arrive Alive In Chesapeake
We’ve all seen Virginia car owners do crazy things while driving to or from Chesapeake. A guy shaving in the rear-view mirror, a woman applying makeup, people talking on their phones, texting or drinking from an enormous coffee mug. It’s a wonder we even dare drive on Virginia roads.
The truth is that all of us Chesapeake motorists are distracted when we drive. Unfortunately, traffic, road construction and other detrimental external factors are beyond our control. The distractions inside our car, however, are things we can often control.
Here’s some things that’ll give you more control in your car, and help keep your attention on the roads around Chesapeake, Virginia.
- Chesapeake drivers who are 16 to 20 years old tend to be more distracted by the radio, CD or MP3 player.
- Chesapeake motorists who are 20 to 29 are more distracted by passengers in the car, including small children.
- Those over age 65 tend to be more distracted by objects or events that are outside of the vehicle.
Other factors like fatigue, stress and lack of sleep make it harder to pay attention to driving – no matter what age we are. It is always better to pull over and take a quick nap than risk falling asleep at the wheel. Chesapeake car owners are also distracted by thinking about relationships, family issues, money and bills. So what can Chesapeake drivers do to manage these harmful distractions? Well, the first thing is to eliminate as many as we can.
When you get in your car, make sure you’re belted in; that the seats, steering wheel and mirrors are adjusted; and your radio or CD player is ready.
Secure any loose objects in the car that can fall on the floor and interfere with your driving.
If you have a drink, make sure it’s spill-proof and put in a cup holder. Chesapeake auto owners’ pets should also be contained.
Virginia motorists with kids in the car should make sure they’re clipped in their seat belts or safety seats. You may want to give them some distractions to help keep them quiet and sitting in their seats. Don’t get involved in their arguments while you’re driving. Pull over if you need to find a toy or break up a fight.
If you eat while driving, choose simple finger foods that aren’t messy.
Learning your car’s controls before you drive is another key way to improve your safety. Learn how to work the radio by touch. Controls located on the steering wheel can help Chesapeake drivers keep their eyes on the road. The same goes for heating and air conditioning controls.
If you have to use a cell phone, a hands-free system is best. But remember, the biggest cell phone distraction isn’t the phone itself – it’s the conversation. Keep conversations brief and light, or pull over if you can. Your key reaction time is much slower when talking and driving, so allow more space between you and the car ahead of you. Know your local Chesapeake laws – it may be illegal to be on the phone. Never text while driving! This has already caused many deaths and injuries in Virginia over the last few years.
And if you really think you have to shave, change your clothes or put on make-up while driving in Chesapeake – you’re wrong. Just start getting ready earlier so you have enough time to finish those things before you drive around Chesapeake.
West Service Center, Inc.
904 Cavalier Blvd
Chesapeake, Virginia 23323
757-487-4420
It’s vital to remember that driving is probably the most dangerous thing you’ll do all day – so don’t make it any worse. Use these tips to keep you and your loved ones safer behind the wheel in Chesapeake.
Questions To Ask Your Chesapeake Service Advisor
We find that a lot of Chesapeake service and repair at West Service Center, Inc. are a little tentative when they talk with their automotive advisors. They want to ask questions, but don’t want to be embarrassed or to seem pushy. Cars are very complicated and there’s more to know about them than most of us have the time to learn. Maybe it’s because cars have become so much more reliable that the average person just doesn’t need to know as much to keep their vehicle on the road.
You know, your local hospital has a Patient’s Bill of Rights that they post throughout the hospital. We think our Chesapeake automotive service customers also have a right to ask any question they need to understand what is wrong with their car and what it will take to fix it. They need to feel free to ask the cost and benefits of recommended services. And they certainly have a right to understand the financial end of the transaction.
It’s all about the communication. It’s a little harder when you’re trying to find the right service center in Chesapeake. But once you’ve developed a relationship, the communication should come easier.
What are some of the barriers to communication? Well, let’s go back to the medical example. When your doctor’s explaining something to you, it’s something that she understands very well and is very familiar with. So she may use jargon you don’t understand or that you don’t have the education and training that’s foundational to understanding what she’s trying to explain.
So you fall behind and get frustrated.
It can be the same with your Chesapeake automotive service advisors. Most of them are very busy trying to service and fix cars to get their customers back on the road. So, just ask when you feel you need more information.
Financial related issues seem to be most frustrating to customers. If you’re not sure, ask what the payment policies are. For example, there’s a big difference between giving your car a quick once over and doing a thorough inspection. Diagnosing a problem may take quite a while. Make sure you know what’s done as a courtesy and what has a fee. Remember, you still have to pay for the office visit even if the doctor says you only have a cold.
Communication is a two way street. If you have some real budget concerns, ask your Chesapeake service advisor what he can do. He can give you priorities and options. He can tell you what needs to be taken care of right away for safety or financial reasons. Then you can work out a plan for when to get the rest done. He can also help you with options on the parts. The preference is to always use a high-quality part with a reputation for reliability. But if money is real tight, he might be able to find a rebuilt part or a used part. He should tell you the difference in the guarantee for the part so you can make a good decision.
Ask about warranties for parts and labor. Be sure to get all the paperwork you need to make a possible claim in the future. Your service center and its technicians stand behind their work and want you to understand precisely what that means.
Be sure to ask for and keep a detailed explanation of all the work that’s done on your vehicle. These records will help you keep track of service, warranties and document the good care your vehicle has received when the time comes to sell it.
Call West Service Center, Inc. to make an appointment.
904 Cavalier Blvd
Chesapeake, Virginia 23323
757-487-4420