4-228-255 Maintenance of records – Advertising requirements.

   (a)   Each motor vehicle repair shop shall maintain copies of estimates, work orders, invoices, parts purchase orders, appraisals and schedules of charges prepared by that repair shop. Such copies shall be kept for two years and shall be available for inspection by the commissioner during the shop's business hours.

   (b)   A licensee shall disclose in any published or broadcasted advertisement relating to motor vehicle repair the following information:

      (1)   The name of the licensee, as shown on the license;

      (2)   The street address of the motor vehicle repair shop;

      (3)   If a repair shop does not perform repairs on motor vehicles but takes custody of motor vehicles and contracts all repairs to another, it must so state this fact.

   (c)   An advertisement by a licensee of a warranty which provides for adjustment on a pro rata basis shall conspicuously disclose the basis on which the warranty will be prorated.

   (d)   No motor vehicle repair shop shall publish, utter or make or cause to be published, uttered or made any false or misleading statement or advertisement which is known to be false or misleading, or which by the exercise of reasonable care should be known to be false or misleading. In determining whether any advertisement, statement or representation is false or misleading, it shall be considered in its entirety as it would be read or heard by persons to whom it is designed to appeal. An advertisement, statement or representation shall be considered to be false or misleading if it tends to deceive the public or impose upon credulous or ignorant persons.

(Added Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465; Amend Coun. J. 11-19-08, p. 47220, Art. V, § 5; Amend Coun. J. 5-9-12, p. 27485, § 106)

Editor's note – Coun. J. 5-9-12, p. 27485, § 106, renumbered former § 4-228-070 as this § 4-228-255.

4-228-260 Signage – Display.

   In addition to posting the motor vehicle repair shop's license, as required under Section 4-228-210, all shops shall display the following:

   (a)   an official motor vehicle repair shop sign which meets the specifications set forth in Section 4-228-265 and any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder, shall be displayed in a place and manner conspicuous to repair shop's customers. An official motor vehicle repair shop sign shall be distributed to all new licensees by the department of business affairs and consumer protection. All questions regarding the proper locations and display of the motor vehicle repair shop sign may be submitted to the commissioner for determination; and

   (b)   a sign which measures at least 8-1/2 by 14 inches, describing how labor charges are computed at the motor vehicle repair shop. This sign may also show the shop's hourly labor charge. This sign shall be posted next to the official motor vehicle repair shop sign. The repair shop shall supply the sign. A mobile unit shall have the labor charge sign firmly affixed to the outside of the mobile unit in such a manner that the labor charge sign is visible to pedestrians.

(Added Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465; Amend Coun. J. 4-16-97, p. 42621; Amend Coun. J. 11-19-08, p. 47220, Art. V, § 5; Amend Coun. J. 5-9-12, p. 27485, § 106; Amend Coun. J. 11-8-12, p. 38872, § 115)

Editor's note – Coun. J. 5-9-12, p. 27485, § 106, renumbered former § 4-228-080 as this § 4-228-260.

4-228-265 Signage – Requirements.

   Official motor vehicle repair shop signs shall comply with the following specifications:

      (a)   signs shall be worded exactly as shown in Figure 4-228-265, as set forth in subsection (f) of this section, and shall be printed in English and Spanish;

      (b)   signs shall measure at least 24 inches in height and at least 18 inches in width;

      (c)   the background shall be white. All print, border stripes and divider stripes, including the City Seal, shall be black in color;

      (d)   upper case lettering on the sign shall be in 36-point Helios. Lower case lettering on the sign shall be in 24-point Helios. The introduction and the department's address and phone number shall be in bold face type;

      (e)   a two and one-eighth inch diameter City Seal is required; and there shall be a one-quarter inch mounting hole in each corner;

      (f)   the department of business affairs and consumer protection may require replacement of any sign which fails to meet the outlined specifications or which is not readily legible.

Figure 4-228-265

This establishment is licensed by the City of Chicago.

In accordance with Chapter 4-228 of the Municipal Code of Chicago, a customer is entitled to:

(1)   A written estimate for repair work. Read your estimate carefully.

(2)   A detailed invoice of work done and parts supplied.

(3)   Charges which do not exceed ten percent or $15.00 over the estimated price, unless you have given permission.

(4)   Return of replaced parts, excluding warranty and exchange parts, if requested in writing at the time a work order is placed.

(5)   A statement on your invoice that all repair work and parts used are warranted for a minimum of 90 days and/or 3,000 miles, or a statement on your invoice that the work and parts are not warranted for that amount.

(6)   The right to inspect the vehicle before payment.

(7)   The right to state in writing any problem you notice which is directly related to the repair work performed.

(8)   If a warranty is given, the right to return the vehicle for corrections of problems directly associated with the repair work within the warranty period or ten days, whichever is greater.

(9)   Questions concerning the above should be directed to the manager of this repair facility.

(10)   Unresolved questions regarding service work may be directed to the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection by calling 311 or by filing a complaint with 311 on line through www.cityofchicago.org.

(Added Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465; Amend Coun. J. 4-16-97, p. 42621; Amend Coun. J. 11-19-08, p. 47220, Art. V, § 5; Amend Coun. J. 3-18-09, p. 56103, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 5-9-12, p. 27485, § 106; Amend Coun. J. 11-8-12, p. 38872, § 116)

4-228-270 Health and sanitation requirements.

   No person, including, but not limited to, the owner, proprietor, lessee, manager or superintendent of any motor vehicle repair shop shall cause, permit or allow such shop or any portion of such shop to be overcrowded or inadequate, faulty or insufficient in respect of light, ventilation, heat and cleanliness. Fresh air shall be supplied by ventilation in accordance with the building provisions of this Code.

   All such places of employment or service shall be kept in a clean condition and free as far as practicable from all gases, vapors, dust or other impurities generated by manufacturing processes or the operation of motors or other machinery, or otherwise, which are injurious to health.

   Lockers for workmen's clothing shall be of metal.

(Amend Coun. J. 4-16-97, p. 42588; Amend Coun. J. 5-9-12, p. 27485, § 106)

Editor's note – Coun. J. 5-9-12, p. 27485, § 106, renumbered former § 4-228-095 as this § 4-228-270.

4-228-275 Towing operations.

   (a)   All licensees that tow disabled motor vehicles shall comply with Chapter 9-44 of this Code and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

   (b)   In addition to the vehicle marking requirements set forth in Chapter 9-44, all licensees shall also display their motor vehicle repair shop license number on each side of the cab in letters, in contrasting color, that are not less than two inches in height.

(Amend Coun. J. 5-14-97, p. 44283; Amend Coun. J. 5-9-12, p. 27485, § 106)

Editor's note – Coun. J. 5-9-12, p. 27485, § 106, renumbered former § 4-228-096 as this § 4-228-275.

4-228-280 Ball joint assemblies – Inspection, sale and installation.

   This section applies to the inspection, sale and installation of ball joints, which for the purpose of this chapter are defined as ball-and-socket assemblies designed to carry the vertical and horizontal stresses in the front suspension system of a motor vehicle while permitting steering and suspension movement. All motor vehicle repair shops engaged in the sale and installation of ball joints shall be subject to the following requirements:

   (1)   Except as set forth in subsections (5) and (6) of this section, any determination that a ball joint is worn or loose shall be made with an instrument specifically designed and manufactured for measurement of ball joint wear or looseness.

   (2)   The instrument required by subsection (1) of this section shall be used, calibrated and maintained in accordance with the instructions issued by its manufacturer. The manufacturer shall be an original equipment manufacturer or a manufacturer who is generally known within the automotive repair industry as a supplier of such instruments.

   (3)   The measurement of wear or looseness of a ball joint shall be stated in thousandths of an inch (.001) or in millimeters, whichever is appropriate to the vehicle and to the specifications of the original equipment manufacturer or of the replacement parts manufacturer.

   (4)   If a ball joint is sold and installed, the degree of wear or looseness of the ball joint being replaced must be recorded on the customer's invoice in accordance with subsection (3) of this section. The maximum allowable wear or looseness permitted by the original manufacturer must be stated.

   (5)   If a ball joint is equipped with an integral means of measuring wear or looseness, such measurement shall be made and reported in accordance with the manufacturer's directions.

   (6)   A ball joint that has been manufactured with a means of manual adjustment to compensate for wear shall be adjusted in accordance with the instructions of the manufacturer.

   (7)   The foregoing requirements are not to be construed as prohibiting the sale and installation of ball joints when the sale and installation are made with the consent of the customer, provided that a full disclosure of the requirements of this section is made to the customer.

(Added Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465; Amend Coun. J. 5-9-12, p. 27485, § 106)

Editor's note – Coun. J. 5-9-12, p. 27485, § 106, renumbered former § 4-228-120 as this § 4-228-280.

4-228-285 Rebuilding of automatic transmissions.

   The following minimum requirements specifying accepted trade standards for good and workmanlike rebuilding of automatic transmissions are intended to define terms that have caused confusion to the public and unfair competition within the automotive repair industry. These minimum requirements shall not be used to promote the sale of "rebuilt" automatic transmissions when a less extensive and/or costly repair is desired by the customer. Any automotive repair shop which represents to customers that the following provisions require the rebuilding of automatic transmissions is subject to the sanctions prescribed in Section 4-228-415 of this chapter.

   All motor vehicle repair shops engaged in the repair, sale and installation of automatic transmissions in vehicles covered under this chapter shall be subject to the following minimum requirements:

      (1)   Before an automatic transmission is removed from a motor vehicle for purposes of repair or rebuilding, it shall be inspected. Such inspection shall determine whether or not the replacement or adjustment of any external part or parts will correct the specific malfunction of the automatic transmission, or if the transmission modules are malfunctioning. A pressure test must also be performed before the transmission is removed from the vehicle. If minor service and/or replacement or adjustment of any external part or parts and/or of companion units can reasonably be expected to correct the specific malfunction of the automatic transmission, then prior to removal of the automatic transmission from the vehicle, the customer shall be informed of that fact as required by Section 4-228-250 of this chapter.

      (2)   When the word "exchange" is used with any of the following expressions, it shall mean that the automatic transmission is not the customer's unit that was moved from the customer's vehicle. An automatic transmission shall be described by a word such as "rebuilt", "remanufactured", "reconditioned" or "overhauled", and by any expression of like meaning, only if the following work has been done since the transmission was last used:

         (a)   all internal and external parts, including case and housing, have been thoroughly cleaned and inspected;

         (b)   the valve body has been disassembled and thoroughly cleaned and inspected;

         (c)   all front and intermediate bands have been replaced with new or relined bands;

         (d)   all the following parts have been replaced with new parts:

            lined friction plates;

            internal and external seals;

            metal sealing rings that are used in rotating applications;

            gaskets;

            organic media disposable-type filters (if the transmission is so equipped);

         (e)   all impaired, defective or substantially worn parts not mentioned above have been restored to a sound condition or replaced with new, rebuilt or unimpaired parts. All measuring and adjusting of such parts have been performed as necessary.

      (3)   The torque converter is considered to be a part of the automatic transmission and shall be examined, cleaned and made serviceable before the rebuilt transmission is installed. If the torque converter cannot be restored to a serviceable condition, then the customer shall be so informed. With the customer's authorization, the converter shall be replaced with a new, rebuilt or unimpaired used torque converter.

(Added Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465; Amend Coun. J. 4-16-97, p. 42621; Amend Coun. J. 5-9-12, p. 27485, § 106)

Editor's note – Coun. J. 5-9-12, p. 27485, § 106, renumbered former § 4-228-130 as this § 4-228-285.

4-228-290 Use of trade names.

   No licensee under this chapter shall use or permit to be used more than one trade name at a single location.

(Added Coun. J. 5-9-12, p. 27485, § 106; Amend Coun. J. 11-8-12, p. 38872, § 711)

4-228-295 Notification of disciplinary action to mechanics.

   If a licensee under this chapter is notified by the commissioner to appear at a disciplinary hearing, or the commissioner issues or obtains an order or judgement directed at or against such licensee, or such licensee's license under this chapter is suspended or revoked by the commissioner, such licensee shall notify, in writing, all of the motor vehicle mechanics employed by such licensee at the applicable licensed facility of such fact(s).

(Added Coun. J. 5-9-12, p. 27485, § 106)