Sometimes, a car dealer isn’t the best place to go for repairs. A common misconception is that a dealer is hands down the expert when it comes to make-specific service, and that they have complete access to the nearly unlimited resources and technical knowledge of the manufacturer.

In reality, car dealers aren’t a direct extension of manufacturers - they are franchised points of sale that operate under their own management. As such, your dealer may have higher labor rates than local specialists, or less background knowledge of older, low-volume models.

Taking care of your vehicle can save you serious money in fuel and resale value, but you may have found yourself wondering if you can save even more by taking you car into to the local mechanic rather than the dealer.

Maybe the ghost stories about cars coming back from local guys with more things broken than fixed have kept you away, or you’re perhaps you are just worried about voiding your warranty. Either way, the truth is there are benefits and drawbacks to both the big boys and the local guys.

The side of the road is a dangerous place. No matter how well you maintain your car, the possibility exists that you’ll find yourself broken down on the side of the road. With tons of metal, plastic and people hurling past you at fast speeds, it is important to keep your wits about you when the worst happens.

AAA, the king of auto clubs in America, lays out some pretty simple steps to keep you and your family safe in the event of mechanical failure. Before you ever come to a stop, it’s important to keep the car under control. This means not panicking, not over reacting and carefully thinking out your actions after whatever it is takes your vehicle out of commission. Whether it’s a brake failure, an engine stall or a flat tire, keeping your cool is going to be easier said than done.

If you’ve ever walked into your nearest auto parts store, you must have noticed the vast amount of motor oil containers that line the shelves. Clearly, we don’t need to tell you that there are a lot of different oil types to choose from, but how do you know which one is best for your car?

As the lubricant for the moving parts of your engine, oil is extremely important; it cools your car, prevents excessive engine wear and tear and is vital for the continued functioning of your vehicle. And it’s all wrapped up in a one quart plastic bottle.

One day, this might happen to you, glance down at your vehicle’s dashboard only to see the check engine light. You burst into a cold sweat, wondering just how badly your car’s engine needs to be checked.

If your car doesn’t sound like there is a monkey swinging a hammer under your hood and your vehicle is not billowing smoke, you’re probably ok. The check engine light, or malfunction indication light, as it’s known to the auto elite, is designed to keep the driver informed of any number of sensor failures or engine irregularities.

It’s easy to go overboard when buying a car. Add a few convenience and comfort options and a slick set of wheels and suddenly you find yourself outside your automotive budget, making way higher payments than you originally intended. Not a good place to be.

Understanding what you can and, most importantly, can’t afford and sticking to a pre-planned budget is the best way to avoid financial disaster when it comes to buying a new vehicle. 

Odds are you’re going to get into a fender bender and need some automotive body work done at least once in your vehicle’s life. Colliding with another car or hitting an immobile object is never a pleasant experience, but taking your time and doing a little research when it happens can ensure that the repair process is as painless and, most of all, as least expensive as possible.

If you’re able to drive your car home from the accident (after talking to the police), park it and take a breath. You’ll want to get the vehicle’s damage repaired as soon as possible, but rushing into an unknown shop is the last thing you want to do. 

Unfortunately, most car owners are at the mercy of their mechanics when it comes to understanding the work done on their vehicles. While the nod-and-grin technique may work well during Monday morning meetings with the boss, it can wind up costing you when applied to your shop. You don’t have to be a mechanical genius to protect yourself from unnecessary work and unexpected charges however.

Before you ever set foot inside of a shop, keep an eye out for specials. Is the shop offering a complete oil change, filter, tire rotation and free stick on trunk monkey for $9.99? 

Oil change time-intervals rely on so many mitigating factors that it is impossible to come up with just one answer to the question “When should I get an oil change?” In addition, manufacturers, mechanics, and lube shops will each have a different estimated mileage for when you should change your oil. Knowing which factors affect the cleanliness of your oil can help you make an informed choice as to when you’ll need to get around to changing it. 

When the warm summer air gives way to the chill of an impending winter, some of you are probably thinking more about fading tans and lost beach days than you are about car care. We understand that anything related to cold weather might be a sore subject. However, winter tires (also known as “snow tires") are tremendously important for your safety if you live in a snowy climate, and it’s important to know when to switch over to them.

Let’s face the facts, no one likes car maintenance. Not only can proper services be expensive, but keeping track of what needs to be done at certain intervals can be a major headache.

The last thing a car owner wants is to pay for a service that wasn’t needed in the first place. Unfortunately ignoring auto maintenance isn’t an option, as doing so will only create more maintenance problems down the road. 

For those who suffer a daily commute through heavy traffic, your vehicle’s braking system can bring thousands of pounds of metal, plastic and empty Starbucks cups to a stop hundreds of times before you get to work. It goes without saying that these pieces wear out, but they do so slowly, meaning you may not notice they need attention until it’s too late.

Neglecting your braking system can lead to increased repair costs, or worse, no brakes at all. Fortunately, paying attention to some of the signs of brake wear can keep you on top of stopping maintenance, saving you some money and keeping your car from bouncing off of the guy in front of you.