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<< Previous   of   Next >> (click to enlarge) (click to enlarge)   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Tuesday, March 21, 2006 A little car knowledge saves cash By Kristi O'Harran / Herald Columnist Very few things are truly precious in this world. On my list would be loved ones, heirlooms, pets and good auto mechanics. Dan Bates / The Herald Diane Dixon manages a crew of four mechanics, including her bother-in-law Zach Dixon (background), at her Marysville auto shop. I just dumped $610 into my 1993 Toyota, to halt a thump thump in the front axle, and it's still going thump thump. I am in denial that I have to take it back to the Everett shop. The work was guaranteed, but still, it's a pain. Some customers at 3 D Automotive in north Marysville who have been satisfied with their service have sent "thank you" notes that hang on the office wall. They treat you right, said Steven Davis of Marysville, one of the note senders. He took a 1999 Mercury there for routine maintenance. "You say 'Fix it' and walk away," Davis said. "You develop that loyalty." Diane Dixon opened the shop with her husband, David, eight years ago. She works the counter by day and kept her night job at Verizon. She shares her automotive expertise, offering classes for women about how to do minor maintenance. It's nothing I would be interested in. For instance, she shows how to loosen lug nuts when changing a flat tire with little fuss or muss. I still think that's a guy thing. It wouldn't hurt, however, for me to be more proactive about vehicle upkeep. She said we can avoid costly repairs if we follow maintenance instructions. I believe she knows what she is talking about. Dixon drives a 1990 Subaru with 247,000 miles on it. It runs like a dream. Dixon, 44, is an ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certified service consultant. She tells customers about the technicians' work. I say technicians because they aren't mechanics anymore. With cars practically becoming computers, keeping them in tip-top shape demands much more that replacing parts and flushing radiators. "It's now a brain game," Dixon said. "Times have changed. Today's cars are different; they require different approaches to servicing them." Free reports are available at the shop, such as "Five Simple Things You Can Do To Improve Your Gas Mileage." Dixon is the author. She likes to say, "The world of auto repair has gone from nuts and bolts to ohms and volts." Dixon recommends consulting a repair shop before buying a particular used car. "It's a bummer to buy a $3,000 used car, then have to put in a $2,500 transmission," she said. To find a good mechanic, she recommends checking with chambers of commerce and the Better Business Bureau, and asking around. And don't get bitter when a car repair costs $400. Dixon said their profit margin is quite small. She said overhead, tools and keeping technicians happy comes at a steep price. She showed me one $10,000 Gameboy-looking device that monitors something or other. Just one little monitor cost ten grand. On their weekends off, the couple enjoys camping with their pooch, Mack the tool dog, who lounges at the shop by day. On a week off, they like to hike and enjoy the outdoors. They have two grown children. Dixon networks with woman entrepreneurs in north Snohomish County at La-De-Biz-Ness. At meetings, they learn about one another's companies, talk about mentoring and build joint ventures with one another. Almost 50 women attended a January event. Some of those who attended the February event at Marysville Skate Inn stayed to skate. For more information about the women's business group, contact Jyl Elsea at fishwash@tgi.net. To learn more about how to treat your ride, Dixon offers a Women's Car Care Clinic at 10 a.m. April 22 at 14219 Smokey Point Blvd., Marysville. For more information, call 360-658-8087. She didn't set out in life to be a service consultant. She was taken aback on their first date when her future husband asked her an unusual question. He wondered what was under her hood. Columnist Kristi O'Harran: 425-339-3451 or oharran@heraldnet.com. Women's car clinic Diane Dixon, co-owner of 3 D Automotive in north Marysville, offers a Women's Car Care Clinic at 10 a.m. April 22 at 14219 Smokey Point Blvd., Marysville. For more information, call 360-658-8087.

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