Automobile repair shop
Anautomobile repair shop(also known regionally as agarageor aworkshop) is an establishment whereautomobilesare repaired byauto mechanicsandtechnicians.The customer interface is typically aservice advisor,traditionally called a service writer.
Types
Automotive garages and repair shops can be divided into following categories:[1]
Service station
First appearing in the early 1900s,[2]manyfilling stationsoffered vehicle repair services as part of theirfull serviceoperation. This once popular trend has declined significantly over the years as many locations found it more profitable to exchange vehicle service bays for grocery isles, which ultimately lead to the emergence of the quick oil change industry.[1][3]
Lubrication/safety shop
Commonly referred to as a quick lube or express service shop, this type of facility specializes inpreventive maintenanceand safetyinspectionsrather than repairs. Product sales are typically limited to automotive fluids, belts and hoses.[1]With a focus on basic procedures, labor is often performed byentry-leveltechnicians which simplifies the business overhead resulting in a less expensive service as compared to a traditional automotive workshop.[4]
New car dealership
In the United States, newcar dealershipshave service departments that are certified by their respective OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) to perform warranty and recall repairs. Customer-pay repairs can also be completed, however most service departments tend to only work on the vehiclebrandof which they are a dealer. Dealership technicians must complete additional training provided by the OEM, and in doing so become specialized and certified for that particular vehicle make.[1]
Independent auto repair shop
Independent auto repair shops are businesses that are independently owned and operated. In states regulating a smog or emission test, often, independent auto repair shops offer these tests as well. These may also include regional or national chains and franchises. It is rather common for a dealership technician to start this type of competing business after leaving the employment of a new car dealership.[1]Independent automobile repair shops in the US may also achieve OEM certification through manufacturer sponsored programs.[5]European Unionlaw (The EC Block Exemption Regulation 1400/2002 (October 2003[6])) permits motorists more flexibility in selecting where their car is serviced. Maintenance and service work does not have to be done by the dealership providing that the independent garage uses Original Equipment 'Matching Quality' parts and follows the manufacturer's service schedules. The Block Exemption Regulation (BER) covers service and maintenance during the warranty period and prohibits vehicle manufacturers' warranties from including restrictive conditions.
Fleet shop
A shop that is dedicated to repairing and maintaining a particular group of vehicles is called afleetshop. Common examples of a fleet includetaxi cabs,police cars,mail trucksandrental vehicles.Similar to a lubrication/safety shop, a fleet shop focuses primarily on preventative maintenance and safety inspections, and will oftenoutsourcelarger or more complex repairs to another repair facility.[1]
Engine machine shop
Shops that specialize incylinder headandcylinder blockmachining are called enginemachine shops.These facilities utilize large electromechanical machines that are not found in the average automotive repair shop. Engine machining is typically performed by anASE certifiedmachinist in order to correct worn or damaged engine components as an alternative to component replacement.[1]Performance engine building is another popular service frequently offered by this type of workshop.
Tire and wheel shop
Some repair shops specialize in tires and wheels. These businesses usually have a large inventory of tires andaftermarketwheels, some of which may be on display while others require special ordering. In addition to parts, common labor services include tire rotation, balancing and repair as well as wheel alignment which can prevent premature tire wear.[1]
In thePhilippines,roadside tire repair shops are calledvulcanizing shopsinPhilippine English.They specialize in quickly and cheaply repairingflat tiresby patching punctures with a rubber compound patch.[7][8]
Muffler shop
Amufflershop, also called anexhaustshop, is a business model that concentrates solely on the engineexhaust system.These facilities utilize large tubing benders which allow a technician tofabricatea new exhaust system out of otherwise straight lengths of pipe.[1]Weldingis often necessary in this line of work.
Auto body
Automotive repair shops that specialize in bodywork repair are known as body shops.Auto body technicianscan perform paintwork repairs to scratches, scuffs and dents, as well as repairs to the bodies of vehicles damaged bycollisions.Many body shops now offerpaintless dent repairand auto glass replacement. Automotive repair shops that specialize in auto glass repair are known as auto glass repair shops. They offer auto glass repairs to chips, cracks and shattered glass. The types of glass they repair includewindshields,car windows,quarter glassand rear windows. This type of damage is often caused byhail,stones, wild animals, fallen trees,automobile theftandvandalism.
Mobile mechanics
Mobile mechanics provide doorstep repair services and home delivery of new and used auto parts of different late model and classic cars whose parts are not widely available in the market.
In countries such as the UK, the mobile car body repair sectors has experienced high growth by way of mobile SMART Repair companies providing mobile car body repair services, such as Bumper Repairs, auto body repair,paintless dent repairand paintwork defect repairs to private and commercial consumers, typically within the industry framework of refinishing vehicle damage on a localised basis, where the area of damage being repaired is not in excess of an A4 sheet of paper.
See also
- Auto mechanic
- Automotive Service Excellence(ASE)
- Breakdown (vehicle)
- Preventive maintenance
- Service Labor Time Standards
References
- ^abcdefghiGilles, Tim (2004).Automotive Service: Inspection, Maintenance, Repair(Custom ed.). United States of America: Delmar Learning. pp. 16–23.ISBN1-40181-234-1.
- ^Eschner, Kat (December 1, 2017)."A Short Picture History of Gas Stations".Smithsonian Magazine.
- ^Ames, Joe (1989)."Quick Lube History: 1989 - Quick Oil Change Industry Draws a Crowd".Costa Oil.
- ^Witt, Pharaba."Cheapest Places to Get Oil Changes".It Still Runs.
- ^"ProFirst Certification".Archived fromthe originalon 2014-04-27.
- ^"Independent garages and the Motor Vehicle Block Exemption"(PDF).UK Government.Retrieved24 October2012.
- ^Panganiban, Noriel (21 September 2017).""Business as Usual" as the Filipinos Define It (Vulcanizing Shop, Sari-Sari Store, Bakery) – Part 1 ".Project Pilipinas.Retrieved16 April2023.
- ^"How to Communicate Better With The Locals".PhilippinesTravelPackage.Retrieved16 April2023.
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