We can all agree that 2020 has been an interesting and challenging year. Between the coronavirus pandemic and the protests over the summer, we are all looking forward to enjoying a nice holiday season in North Carolina. It really does not matter that the holidays will be different this year; they will feel great after all we have been through. Car repair and maintenance are not usually the kind of things we have in mind during this time of year, but auto repair shops are always eager to help customers during the holidays. Auto repairs during the holidays can be stressful. So here is a list that will prepare you all year round.

There are many signs that let you know the holidays are coming, and one of them is the proliferation of television commercials that portray new car purchases as the ultimate Christmas gift. The leading automotive brand in this regard is Lexus; according to dealership statistics released by Toyota, the parent company of Lexus, December has been a great month for new car sales over the last two decades. In some cases, dealerships actually run out of giant red bows for Lexus buyers, and sales managers are more than happy to offer discounts in lieu of bows.

Although you may see some new Lexus models riding around Raleigh after Christmas, the reality of gifting a new car for the holidays is that not many people can afford this nice gesture. Something that happens more often is the American tradition of passing down a family car to relatives, particularly to children, and this is when you can turn to auto repair shops to ensure your gift is memorable.

The Right Way to Pass Down Family Cars for Christmas

Safety and reliability are the two main factors to consider when passing down a car. With regard to safety features such as electronic stability controls and airbags, you do not have to worry about them for models that rolled off the assembly line starting in 2012. Other safety aspects to keep in mind are:

• Brakes
• Tires
• Hoses and belts
• Check Engine Light
• Wiper blades
• Battery
• Oil Change
• Cooling system

When passing a car, the last thing you want to do is simply hand over the keys and call it a Christmas Day. Many car owners put too much attention to cleaning and detailing the car, which is always important, but mechanical reliability should be a priority. Other factors such as transferring the title, registering the license, and issuing new insurance policies are also crucial, but these are things that can be accomplished later. You want to gift a car that is not only safe but also in a condition that will allow it to stay on the road.

Bringing the family car to the auto repair shop before passing it down is the best way to ensure that it results in a Christmas gift that can be cherished; you do not want to pass down a potential headache. Auto Repairs during the holidays is never fun!

Extending the Vehicle’s Lifespan

The idea of passing down family cars is to get the most out of them. You want to gift a daily driver and not a car that is about to break down, which is another reason you should stop by the auto repair shop before Christmas. Be sure to tell the auto technician or the shop manager about your intention to pass down the car; at this point, you will be ask about the profile of the driver who will get the car as a gift, and this is for the purpose of figuring out the maintenance and repairs need to keep the car on the road.

There will always be a chance that the car you intend to gift requires repairs beyond the maintenance items mentioned above; this is why auto repair shop personnel will ask you about the driving habits of the gift recipient. Everything starts with a whole vehicle inspection.

Let’s say the steering wheel is not returning smoothly; if the problem is determined to be the power steering pump, the technician will tell you the urgency of the repair, and it may be something that can be handled down the line. What is important is that you know how much the repair will cost and how soon it should be done because this is a detail you want to communicate to the gift recipient.

Contact Ray Weatherspoon Auto Repair

You may not always have to get everything done before Christmas. The auto shop manager can tell you the repairs that may be needed in the future in order to extend the functionality of the car, and then you will be able to budget accordingly. Be sure to let the new driver know about this; making a solid promise to take care of this later is a nice holiday gesture.

There is always a chance that you may only need to get an oil change for the time being. Should you choose to wrap the car with a nice giant bow after it is washed, polished, and detailed, you can find one online for less than $50. We hope this article gives you insight on how to avoid Auto Repairs during the Holidays. Enjoy the season!