Tuning in can help find answers to your auto woes

Sitting behind the wheel, I habitually tune into FM103.9, a traffic-focused broadcasting service in Beijing. With traffic jams commonplace in the Chinese capital, many drivers, me included, sometimes turn to the radio station for tips to avoid congested roads, especially during rush hours.

I would consider myself one of the lucky few as I stay relatively close to the office. So unlike most others, I am not stuck in massive traffic jams very often. But still I make it a point to tune into the Auto Services Hotline, an interactive program that discusses automobiles, their usage and maintenance services.

The reason why many drivers like me vouch for such services can be traced back to the miserable experiences that we have had at auto service outlets. Being overcharged and offered unnecessary services are the most common complaints.