There’s no place like the auto mechanic’s shop. We’re completely helpless and at the mercy of the technicians. Few of us are that knowledgeable when it comes to cars but we rely on them every day to get us to and from work, play and life. We go into an auto body shop for to address one issue, and the tech comes out with a long list of other things our car needs. The amount required to fix the car up quickly grows into hundreds, even thousands. What we thought was a good daily vehicle has now become a screaming metal death trap! There are a couple of strategies to not only keep your car running smoothly longer, but also to help you not get screwed every time you take your car in. Shout out to Tyler, an auto mechanic in North Carolina for helping me come up with the list!

1) Tires.

These four pieces of rubber filled with air cushion your vehicle as you ride along the streets and roads. Tires come in all shapes and sizes and at various price points. They’re supposed to last you anywhere between 20K and 80K miles. Be sure to check your air pressure at least twice a month. Keeping your tires inflated at the correct amount (should be listed in your owner’s manual) will extend their life as well as be good to your wallet by helping you save gas. Consider also having your tires rotated every 2^nd oil change. This will ensure they are properly inflated and that they are wearing down evenly. No sense in prematurely replacing a tire!

2) Fluids flush.

We commonly will get asked, “Would you like to have your fluids flushed today?” Whether it’s brake, transmission, radiator, even windshield wiper fluid, mechanics love a good up sell. Sure you do need your fluids flushed every once in a while but likely not as often as mechanics would ‘recommend’. Consult your manufacturer’s guidelines (likely the big book in your glove box) for recommendations.

3) The upsell of ‘scheduled maintenance’.

Mechanics would LOVE to get you on their preferred maintenance plan, bringing you in for ‘tune-ups’ every couple of months. Instead, consult your manufacturer’s guidelines for when you should rotate, change, replace and update various parts. Following these guidelines will help you extend the life of your car.

4) Oil Changes.

They’re probably the biggest and most effective way to extend the life of your vehicle. My brother-in-law’s 375,000 mile Toyota Corolla is a testament to this. He swears all he does is change the oil every 3,000 miles. Now, you don’t really need all the fancy oil, whether it is synthetic or high mileage, just good old fashioned regular oil. Some cars do though require synthetic oil, but that’s ok because you then change your oil like every 7,500 miles instead. The mechanic always says “3,000 miles or 3 months”, but how many of us follow the 3 month rule? Tyler did mention that 3 months is a good rule of thumb if you haven’t yet hit 3,000 miles. I tend to disagree, but then again, he is the mechanic here.

5) Take care during summer and winter.

When things get cold outside, you’ll need to keep an eye on your antifreeze levels. Depending on how cold, you may need to mix in some (or less) water. Following antifreeze guidelines will ensure you car doesn’t freeze up. In the summer, keep an eye on your coolant. No one wants their car overheating, especially in traffic! I kept a bottle of coolant in my Jeep (before it got stolen!), just in case. Tire pressure will vary in the summer and winter months but then again, I mentioned this in tip #1 so you already knew that.

6) We all know the infamous auto mechanic ‘speech’.

You’re in the waiting room, having come in for something simple. They’ve got a clipboard or a printout, and then proceed to read to you all the things wrong with your car. At the end of the speech, you’ll wonder how you were even able to drive the car into the shop! In addition breaking the bank, who has the time to leave the car in the shop for that long? A good rule of thumb is that speeches are normally sales pitches in disguise. Think of them more of a ‘wish-list’ instead of a ‘must-have list’. Some of these things probably will need to be fixed, but not today, or even a long time from now. Kindly tell your mechanic you’ll pass for today, and go get a 2^nd opinion elsewhere.

7) Check engine lights.

Ugh, these are the worst. Although they’re only a small light in the corner of the dashboard, they can spell hours of errands out of the way, running from shop to shop, and hundreds of dollars. It could literally be anything wrong. You could have forgotten to screw the gas cap on, or you engine could be breaking down right before you. A lot of shops even charge for check engine diagnostics, I’ve seen anywhere between $19.99 and $39.99. Why would I pay someone to tell me an oxygen sensor is out? If you check engine light does come on, head to Advance Auto or an auto part store. They’ll typically run a diagnostic for you (for free!) and give you some codes. Go home and look these codes up. Perhaps it’s a common problem with a common fix! Or, it’s something major and you’ll be able to take the necessary steps to get the car fixed.

8) Google!

Previously this was a game of the haves and have not’s (i.e. mechanics having the knowledge and information) and us not having it, having to rely on their honesty. Today, we have the internet; a giant collection of people just like you having the same problems. You can find simple and easy fixes for common problems, recommendations on auto part stores or mechanics and even coupons!

As with any profession, there are good mechanics and there are bad mechanics. Some will try to screw you over and take as much cash as they can. Building off of fear, they throw in the word ‘safety’ and people’s wallets magically open. Finding a good mechanic that you trust can make your life a whole lot easier. Until that day (and even after!), follow these 8 tips to help keep you out of the mechanic’s shop and on the road driving!

Thanks for reading! Here’s another you might enjoy: Why you should never buy a new car

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