Brake Repair: How to Talk to the Technicians

For many drivers, walking into a brake repair shop or talking to a mechanic can be like trying to communicate in a foreign language for the first time. It can be a daunting and uncomfortable experience, and there is always that sense that the technicians are rolling their eyes at you the second you turn your back. Of course, feeling uncomfortable and embarrassed is really a secondary concern. If you don't know how to communicate with your technicians effectively, it could make it that much more difficult to determine the underlying problem. Which means this trip to the shop may not be your last. Here are some tips to help you talk to those in the business.

Take Notes

When you go into the brake repair shop, it's understandable to start forgetting all the things you've been experiencing out on the highway. Suddenly, your well-prepared script is as hazy as that Shakespeare you memorized in the 10th grade. With the technician staring at you, waiting for a clue, you start grasping for anything you can recall, which often isn't much. So take notes next time something starts happening. Take these notes with you in to the shop and you'll be able to communicate with the technicians that much more effectively and efficiently.

Use Symptoms

Too many drivers—especially those who have just enough auto knowledge off the Internet to make them dangerous—start telling the technicians what they think the problem might be instead of just describing symptoms. Don't do this. If you have a great deal of experience with brake repair, there's nothing wrong with letting the technician know your amateur diagnosis. If you would be lost if asked to diagram a braking system, however, and you're just going off what some guy on a car forum said, leave the diagnosis to the professionals. Describe your symptoms and let them tell you what the problem is.

Be Specific
It's hard to tell what information might be useful to a brake repair specialist and what information is supercilious. Let them decide what to use and what to discard. Be as specific as possible when describing your symptoms. If you notice your brakes are squeaking considerably on rainy days, or only when you come to a slow stop, let them know these things. Don't just say, "Oh, they've been squeaking lately." The more information you can give them, the more precisely they can hone in on the actual problem. Being specific about your symptoms is probably the most important piece of advice you can take with you into the shop.