What you need to know before you visit your mechanic

It's hard to find a good car mechanic these days. If you have a working knowledge of your vehicle, you may have an easier time finding a qualified mechanic who will care for your car without trying to push you into costly, unnecessary work.

Here is a list of things you need to know before you visit a mechanic for car maintenance services:

* When you take your vehicle in for a second opinion, don't mention the first diagnosis, or what price you were quoted to fix it, according to Reader's Digest, "13 Things Your Car Mechanic Won't Tell You."

* Unnecessary repairs might be brought up as part of the shop's recommended auto maintenance when you go in for routine maintenance. Your mechanic might even tell you that these repairs are necessary. First check your owner's manual to see what the manufacturer recommends in relation to the reported problem. Then do a little online research to see if other owners of your car make and model are experiencing the same problems. Finally, get a second opinion to make sure you are receiving the best advice.

* When you know that you have legitimate and needed repairs, make sure you get a full estimate of the job requirements in writing. This estimate also needs to have language specifying that the shop won't perform any work that isn't on the estimate, unless you are contacted first and give your approval.

* Look for an Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)-certified mechanic. This certification shows that your mechanic has passed qualification tests, and will continue to be retested every five years to prove his skills.

* Some car parts carry long warranties, so if you receive word that a part needs to be replaced, check with your car dealer to determine if it is a warranty item. If it is, a free replacement may be required by law. But you probably will have to ask the question first.

Knowing these tips for car maintenance might come in handy when you head to the repair shop and are faced with questions about your vehicle or pressured to agree to some auto maintenance service that you didn't originally sign up for.

Courtesy of ARAcontent