by Mike Webb

Created on: November 24, 2010

Car repairs can get very expensive in a hurry.  As a mechanic for several years, I can tell you that no one likes to come to an auto repair shop when their car is in need of repair.  Saving money is their prime objective while demanding quality service.  Overpaying for service work on a vehicle is a big fear for car owners so how can you save money on car repairs? 

The Big Picture

Regular Maintenance – To avoid major repairs you need to religiously take care of the minor maintenance items.  Pull out your owner’s manual and find out the manufacturers recommended maintenance intervals.  Items that require regular maintenance include:  oil & filter change, tire pressures checked, coolant level and strength, belt wear, power steering and brake fluid levels, air filter and fuel filters checked or replaced.  Make sure you follow the routine that best fits your driving habits.  If you only drive a few miles once a week, you need to adhere to a monthly schedule rather than a miles schedule.

Taking care of your car is closely related to taking care of your own health.  You may have those instances when something major happens but most of the time when your car is in good shape you can avoid major break downs.  Keeping your oil changed regularly and your fluids checked will help you avoid and possibly foresee problems in the future saving you from that large payout at the service desk.

Trustworthy Auto Shop – If you are taking your car to a shop for regular maintenance, find a shop that you can trust.  Get your oil changed at the shop you are interested in using.  See how they treat you before you have them do any major repairs.  A good shop will actually inspect your car for any future problems you may have and make you aware of them, but if they say your car will break down soon if you don’t have it fixed today then take your car and go somewhere else to make sure there really is a problem.  Also watch out for any added expense that they didn’t tell you about before you made the appointment for the oil change.

A good way to find a trustworthy auto repair shop is to ask your friends and family and also look for the ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) sign at the repair shop’s place of business.  A shop with a good reputation will be known by others.  The ASE certification tells you that they are dedicated to improving their knowledge when

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