Getting the Most From a Mechanic

There are a few techniques that will improve the odds of having your car successfully serviced:

* Do not tell the mechanic what’s wrong. Instead, explain what the car is doing that prompted you to bring it in.

* A good mechanic should ask a lot of questions to get as much information as possible about your car’s typical performance. For example, if you take a car in for servicing, the mechanic should ask when your last tuneup was, how many miles you drive and how long you plan to keep the car. An ethical mechanic will tell you if your car is worth the cost of the repair.

* Ask the mechanic questions about what exactly is being checked or serviced. For instance, some garages will replace plugs and wires. Others will include filters or sensors on newer cars with a lot of electronic controls.

* If a mechanic says you have a problem, ask to see the problem and have it explained to you in clear, specific language. If you want a second opinion, tell the mechanic to write down what the problem is and his remedy so you can compare services and costs with another mechanic.