Auto repair is a topic that many women find mysterious and intimidating. As if having a car die isn’t stressful enough, we fear finding ourselves at the mercy of an unscrupulous mechanic who may take advantage of our lack of knowledge. The possibility of inflated estimates, unneeded repairs and emotional demoralization is enough to make even the most independent woman dread the waiting area. What’s a girl to do?
I caught wind of an interesting book titled, Fearless Auto Care: A Guide to What Women Need to Know About Their Cars, co-written by Automotive Customer Care Expert, Donna McCord. McCord and her husband, Warren, own and operate Dean’s Automotive in Mountain View, California. With ten years of experience in the automotive industry, she is committed to providing excellent customer care with a focus on addressing the concerns of women. I eagerly approached her for an interview.
Hadria Douglas : What inspired you to write this book?
Donna McCord: Writing has always been my first love, and ever since I was about seven years old, I have dreamed of becoming an author. But I never dreamed that I would be writing a book about auto care! I hear women say how intimidating it can be when trying to bring their cars in for service somewhere, how unsure they are if they are being told the truth about what their car needs fixed, how they are sometimes talked down to, or not communicated with at all! My husband has been writing a column about auto care in one of our local papers for years now, and as the editor for his articles, I learned a lot! It suddenly dawned on me that if I could take that valuable information and put it into a book that women could read and understand, it could give them the power and confidence to take control of their auto care service experience and remove the fear and intimidation! I’m hoping that everyone who reads this book will get to know their cars better and be able to make better decisions about their car’s care.
HD: What is your background in automotive care?
DM: It is amazing how much I have learned over the past 10 years working in our business, going to training classes with my husband and employees, and talking to our customers and other people within our industry. I have seen first-hand how the way we interact with our customers, the level of expertise our technicians possess, our professionalism and our integrity has set us apart, won us awards, and created a comfortable and positive experience for our customers… especially women.
HD: What is the most important thing women should know regarding car maintenance?
DM: The most important thing for women to know about maintaining their vehicles is how critical it is to stick to the manufacturer recommended service schedule for their particular car. Skipping services, ignoring recommendations, waiting too long between oil changes, etc. will only result in potentially expensive repair bills that could have been avoided.
HD: How should women find the right mechanic or auto shop?
DM: In one of the chapters, “Choose the Best Car Care Partner”, I say that if you have a new vehicle with a free maintenance service package or a repair that is still under warranty, then your dealer is where you should go. Regardless of the car’s age, if you want to keep it reliable and healthy for as long as possible, the right shop is best. I list multiple ways to identify that shop including Referrals, online reviews, Better Business Bureau rating, AAA certified shops, ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certified technicians, shops with ongoing training programs in place, latest diagnostic equipment, solid warranty with minimum 12,000/12 month warranty, proper insurances, well-organized and clean facility, and above all, courteous, respectful and knowledgeable staff. I also encourage people to first decide what is most important to them and be aware of expectations before choosing the right shop. A visit to the shop before making an appointment is always good and if the shop is proud of what they do, they should encourage your visit.
HD: When should the average woman bring her car to the shop vs trying to fix it herself?
DM: I would definitely encourage women to avoid being do-it-yourselfers unless they want to take classes in auto repair and become technicians… especially with today’s more sophisticated vehicles. Anyone (male or female) attempting to perform repairs without the proper knowledge and tools would be like trying to perform surgery using a medical textbook as a guide! Too much can go wrong, leading to expensive repairs, and not to mention, the risk of personal injury. Even doing a “simple oil change” on some of the newer vehicles is not easy; many of today’s cars require a particular type of oil and filter in order to run as it should. In my book, I cover the many ways a woman can check her car to see how it is doing and what may need to be done such as fluid levels, tire pressures, etc. However, it is always best to find a good, trust-worthy shop where you can develop a relationship and know that your car needs will be taken care of in the best possible (and least stressful) way. Trying to save money by doing repairs yourself will usually end up becoming more expensive in the long run.
HD: What do you want women to take away from the advice in your book?
DM: If after reading my book, they feel more confident and secure about what their car needs and how to provide those needs efficiently and cost-effectively, I will be ecstatic!
HD: When is your book coming out and where can we purchase it?
DM: We plan for it to be available this November. I am thinking it will be a great stocking-stuffer! It will be available on Amazon.com and through our publisher, Our Little Books.
Hadria Douglas, Community Manager, Gengras Motors
