How to Handle a Car Repair with an Interlock Device

When your car has an ignition interlock device, it changes a few things about your day-to-day driving routine. Of course, the most significant change is testing your breath before operating your car. But an interlock device also affects how you handle your car’s maintenance and repairs. What does car repair with an interlock device look like?

What does car repair with an interlock device look like?

Don’t worry. In most cases, you can still have your car regularly serviced and maintained at your usual auto shop. But there are a few extra steps you and your mechanic will need to take. Anyone servicing your vehicle definitely needs to know that you have an interlock device installed, and there are some extra precautions they need to take to avoid any violations.

Here are a few essential points to keep in mind when you go for a car repair with an interlock device installed.

How to Handle a Car Repair with an Interlock Device?

  1. Get an Interlock Device Bypass Access Code

    Before working on your car, your mechanic may need an access code as an ignition interlock bypass for major repairs. They must request an interlock device bypass access code from RoadGuard Interlock using the Access Code Request Form.

  2. Recharging or Replacing Your Battery

    If you take your vehicle to a repair shop to have the battery recharged or replaced, record the time that the battery died and make sure to keep your receipts from the work.

  3. Protect Your Interlock Device During Service

    Cover your device with a clean sock or towel while your car is at the shop, and make sure anyone working on your car knows about your device. Instruct your shop to use alcohol-free solvents, or air out your car for at least 15 minutes if you learn that solvents containing alcohol were used.

  4. Maintain Your Device

    While making sure your vehicle is maintained, make sure you don’t forget to maintain your device to ensure it works properly.

Get an Interlock Device Bypass Access Code

Before working on your car, your mechanic may need an access code as an ignition interlock bypass for major repairs. They must request an interlock device bypass access code from RoadGuard Interlock using the Access Code Request Form. States have different laws around access codes, access code may not be allowed by the state so make sure to check the requirements in your state or contact your monitoring authority before having your car worked on.

Recharging or Replacing Your Battery

When your car’s battery dies or is disconnected, your interlock device will record the event as a potential violation, since tampering with the car’s battery could occur when someone tries to bypass their interlock device. Therefore, it’s extremely important that you document exactly what happened to clear things up at your next monitoring appointment.

If you take your vehicle to a repair shop to have the battery recharged or replaced, record the time that the battery died and make sure to keep your receipts from the work. If you replace your car’s battery on your own, keep the receipt from the new battery purchase and record the time that the battery died as well as the time you successfully started the vehicle again.

Protect Your Interlock Device During Service

When you have your car repaired, maintained, or even just cleaned, you need to take steps to protect your ignition interlock device and prevent any inaccurate test results. Cover your device with a clean sock or towel while your car is at the shop, and make sure anyone working on your car knows about your device. It’s important to avoid damaging your device or getting it dirty during a repair. Instruct your shop to use alcohol-free solvents, or air out your car for at least 15 minutes if you learn that solvents containing alcohol were used.

If your vehicle needs major repairs, tell your mechanic to contact an Interlock Service Technician for guidance.

Maintain Your Device

While making sure your vehicle is maintained, make sure you don’t forget to maintain your device to ensure it works properly. Your device will remind you when upcoming maintenance is due, and you’ll need to make an appointment with your service technician. After missing a service appointment, you may have a grace period before your device will enter lockout mode. If your state has a grace period, this time period varies by jurisdiction.

Is your car in need of repairs or servicing?

Don’t forget that your mechanic will need to request an access code to bypass breath testing. To request an access code, mechanics must complete the Access Code Request Form.

At RoadGuard Interlock, we want your experience using an ignition interlock device to be as manageable as possible, and that includes taking care of your car with regular maintenance and service. Don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions about car repair with an interlock device or other aspects of using ignition interlock devices.

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