When a car breaks down, most people assume the next step is a tow truck and a shop. Often it doesn't have to be. A mobile mechanic brings the tools and the parts to the car, and a surprising amount of work can be done right where it's parked.
The jobs that suit a driveway are the ones that don't need the car in the air for long: brake pads and rotors, batteries, starters and alternators, spark plugs and ignition coils, belts and hoses, sensors, thermostats and many gaskets. Diagnosing a check-engine light is mobile work too — a scan tool and some testing travel easily.
The big advantage is time. You don't lose a day dropping the car off, arranging a ride and waiting for a call. The work happens while you're at home or at your job, and you can see exactly what was replaced.
It can also save you the tow. If the car won't start, a mobile mechanic can usually find out why on the spot — and a dead battery, a bad starter or a failed alternator can often be fixed without the car ever moving.
Some repairs do belong in a shop. Anything that needs a lift for hours, heavy transmission or internal engine work, wheel alignments and tire mounting all call for equipment that doesn't fit in a van. A good mobile mechanic will tell you that before starting, not halfway through.
To get an accurate quote, have a few things ready when you call: the year, make and model, the engine size if you know it, and a plain description of the problem. What does it sound like? When does it happen? Which warning lights are on? The more specific you are, the closer the quote will be.
It also helps to have the car somewhere safe and reasonably level, with room to open the doors and the hood. A driveway or a parking lot is ideal.
Not sure whether your repair can be done at home? Call Moran Way at (313) 740-2839. Tell us what the car is doing and we'll give you a straight answer and a free quote.