Auto Maintenance > Dealing with a Mechanic

Save your self a big headache and check your car fluids, tire pressure, and belts on a regular basis. Taking the extra time can possibly save you money in the long run. Also, you might be able to notice if something is not quite right if you understand your car.

However, owning a car and keeping up with maintenance is only the basics of owning a car. There will be a time where you will have to take your car to a mechanic, hopefully for a minor problem. Get an understanding of basic car mechanics, or better yet, keep a Chilton's manual handy for understanding what could be wrong with your car. When dealing with mechanics, if it sounds like you know a thing or two, the less likely for them to take advantage of you.

When looking for a mechanic, ask around. Ask your neighbors, your co-workers, your friends and your family. Word of mouth is a mechanic's best advertisement. If you have a few mechanics who make it on your list and you are able to visit of them, ask them for an estimate for the work on your car. Compare which has the best price for the work. Also, visiting a mechanic who quotes you $1200 can easily give you bargaining power when visiting mechanic #2. Make sure your quote includes parts and labor. Also, get as much info on the actual work that needs to be done, a sneaky mechanic might slip additional work into the estimate that doesn't need to be done. You will get a better idea of what could be wrong with your car if you have plenty of opinions pointing to a general area.

Now, only your judgment can pick the best candidate for the job. Don't always go with the cheapest quote though. Think about the mechanics and what they said. Think of how they talked to you, where they sincere? How was the eye contact? If your gut is telling you not to do business with the cheapest person, then think of who would be your next pick. After you decide and you are ready to take your car in, call ahead first. Getting your car should be pretty easy, but you might have to wait awhile. If your pick was good, they should give you a pretty good estimate of when the work will be done.

If your happy with a mechanic, keep them in mind when it comes to car maintenance. Taking your car into a car lube shop can easily turn into a problem. It may save you a few dollars, but if they rush in and out of the job something could become amiss. Your mechanic could possibly do the job, maybe for slightly more, but if the trust is there, then you can rest assure that the job will be done correctly.