The Indianapolis News from Indianapolis, Indiana • 65

TE 'I 1 5 EW Page, 2 October 8,985 FLAY axe pains ro avoia 0) uuUuuuuls auto repair swindlers Over $18,000 worth of free SHELl FIRE ICE-Motor Oil changes, free Shell filters, free lubes, discounts, and free Shell Fire Ice Motor Oil at participating Shell stations. "The has turned around drastically," Gaca said. "Training is available and it's open to everyone in the field. Mechanics today are far smarter than they were a few years ago, but there still aren't enough certified mechanics around." Ripoff artists still survive the friendly folks who slit the radiator hose or paint old parts and put them back on the car. "You know and I know that it's still going on," said one auto industry expert.

"It would be stupid to say it doesn't go on, but I don't think it's as bad as it used to be. Consumer laws have gotten tougher and consumers have gotten smarter." Motorists can save themselves hassle and heartache by following a few guidelines. Describe problem Gaca suggests motorists always ask if mechanics are certified, demand a written estimate before any work is done, find out the estimated labor cost the going rate is about $35 an hour and many shops follow a suggested labor guide and describe how the car is malfunctioning don't make recommendations. "If you tell the shop to rebuild See REPAIR Page 26 "WSs Ccrtdrhom: Game cards may not be combined; only one may be uaed per mm vim. No pu.

rhaae necessary Ljcenvd driven onhr: IS years or older to play Void where peohfared. Full detail about the game, prize, and odd, of winning available at partirifttr- tng statural. Offer may vary at each participating Shell station inthjearea. Promotion erioai October 31. M6.0T when all game cards have been given out But there is no denying the problem exists.

"There seems to be a shortage of qualified auto service technicians," said Richard White, a national spokesman for the American Automobile Association. "One of the problems is attracting enough qualified people to enter careers in auto repair. Another problem is the cars are getting more and more complicated." Said Fred Gaca, editor of Motor Service Magazine, a trade publication for professional mechanics and garage owners: "A major part of the ripoff problem today is not with dishonest mechanics but with incompetent ones who have not kept up with the technology." Changing industry The industry is changing. Pay is going up, a growing number of mechanics dealer-affiliated and independents are receiving advanced training and certification is providing some uniformity to a previously disjointed industry. The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, a non-profit organization, rolled off the line in 1972.

Its aim is to provide voluntary competency testing and certification in several skill areas for mechanics nationwide. While the NIASE certifies individuals, a new program sponsored by the AAA investigates and approves car repair facilities across the nation. Auto industry officials say such programs can help ensure higher quality care repairs and provide peace of mind for Number of Oddafor Odd. tor Prire Prizes 1 visit a visits SrtmimtlCTojldiangef 6 1000 to 1 Sltol faterlirube Sum fm a kY change 12 WOtol 125lot Shell oil lilter 20 300 Kl 75tol Qt. of StmiFllEAICEoi SOtol ami Larbe 300 20to1 5tol S3 CEOMCoonton SrrflLFTJtE Sb3S itol ltol la oil change Ik filter bar: 6000 ltol ltol srtvaaaeatprtiercwtM.aTrs United Press International It is no secret that honest car repairs are sometimes very hard to come by.

Not long ago, a Georgia woman took her Volkswagen to a rage to have its automatic transmission repaired. When "she returned to pick up the car, she was more than a little surprised to find her VW equipped with a manual transmission stick shift No clutch, just a stick shift. "We've heard some real horror stories," said Lawrence "Bud" Stumbaugh, a Georgia state senator whose committee is traveling around the state to hear gripes about car repair ripoffs. "If it weren't for the horror involved, some of them would almost be comical. "I'm finding that most people are like me.

I don't know the trunk from the hood. I have to believe what I'm told. That puts us at the mercy of folks who aren't always Indeed, the U.S. Office of Consumer Affairs reports that auto-related problems traditionally sit atop its complaint lists. It is hard to determine exactly how widespread the problem is.

How to find a reputable car mechanic An easy way to avoid car repair headaches, says the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, is to look for an ASE certified technician. ASE is a national, voluntary, non profit organization that tests mechanics to measure their diagnostic and repair skills. Written examinations are given twice a year. Since 1972, ASE has certified 325,000 mechanics; 185,000 are certified. Other tips to finding a reputable garage, according to ASE, are: Check with friends or people in the community about their experiences with the garage.

See if the! mechnaics will save any parts they replace to jirove the work was done. Ask the mechanic to take the car on a test drive with the owner before doing the repair work. Get a cost estimate in advance on the work to be done. See if the mechanic will call in advance if any additional work has to be done. Ask for a time schedule in which the car repairs will be 'jlpne.

4f All you have to do to win, is come in. During the entire month of October? every time you come into a participating Shell station, you're going to be a winner. On each visit, your Shell dealer will give you a "Winner Take Oil" game card. You just lift the tab to see what you've wont SHELL FIRE ICE oil changefilter and lube. Shell Fire Ice oil change.

Shell oil filter, lube, S3 discount on Shell Fire 4 let oil change and filter, or a quart of Shell Fire It Ice Motor Oil. What better way to help your car make a smooth transition from summer to winter? Stop in today and find out what you've won in the game where nobody loses: "Winner Take Oil." All you have to do to win, is come in. INDIANAPOLIS EAST BOB TEAGUE'S SHELL 3801 North Post Rd. 897-9949 MINTON'S SHELL SERVICE 4605 Allisonville Road 257-0659 SHADELAND SHELL SERVICE 1005 N. Shadeland Avenue 359-3190 TRI WELL SERVICE CENTER 2108 N.

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8190 Allisonville Rd. 849-0033 WRIGHT'S AUTO CARE 3601 Kentucky Ave. V7209 4202 Lafayette Rd. Mllllt.