You wish to never see it. You hope it never pops up. You dread the little light that seems to be all by itself when it comes around. Yes, I am talking about the “Check Engine” icon on your dashboard.

Sooner or later, it’s bound to happen. But you don’t have to be afraid of what it might mean or how much it will cost for whatever the reason behind the light is. As long as you go to an honest and loyal mechanic, you will be just fine. But how do you find such a mechanic?

You should first call around and get a free diagnostic. From there, call some area mechanics that can give you additional quotes for the problem. One of the best ways to find a great one is through referrals, so don’t forget to ask family and friends. If someone you know continuously has a good experience and continues to take their car to the same shop, then usually the prices are in line and you will get the best bang for your buck.

One of the most common reasons to take your car to a mechanic is for an oil change. Drivers often ask themselves, do I really need to get my oil changed every 3,000 miles? If you use normal oil (not synthetic), then yes, you should get your oil changed at or around 3,000 miles. If you don’t, you could risk doing internal damages to your motor. Oil breaks down from heat and does not have the same viscosity which means it cannot lubricate as well when it gets old.

In addition to getting regular oil changes, one needs to watch the change of seasons. This is also when you want to have a major checkup for your car. Whether it’s to protect your automobile from the harsh cold winters, or the sweltering hot summers…you need to winterize and summarize your car. One of the most important things to make sure of in these checkups is to make sure the cooling system is in working order where it can withstand temperatures as low as -50 degrees.
 
Don’t forget to check other things such as making sure your thermostat is properly opening and closing at the correct temperatures, the hoses are good with no leaks, no cracks in the belts, and that your air filter is clean and allows the correct amount of air to flow to your engine. Also, make sure your tires are filled with the appropriate amount of air. Fuel mileage can be increased by proper air pressures in your tires.

One of the bigger problems a driver faces is when it’s time to replace their brakes. Brakes are not the same from car to car. If you do a lot of city driving, you will go through brakes a lot quicker than if you do a lot of highway driving. On the average, 25,000-35,000 miles is a good range between brake work/replacement. You will replace front brakes more often than the rear ones because they do 75% of the stopping. One thing that you can do to extend the life of the rear brakes is to engage the emergency brake every once in a while. This will keep the cables free and the rear emergency brake adjusted.

Granted, it can be a daunting task to find the right mechanic at the right price. However, the best thing you can do to ensure you are getting a fair price with a performing car is to start and maintain a good relationship with a shop. Use their knowledge and experience to determine what is and what is not needed to keep your car running smoothly. Then, you won’t have to worry about that nasty lighted icon popping up.