These days it’s not just women who are nervous about talking to their mechanic—it’s everyone, especially with all the new and innovative technology that is in our vehicles.

There are ways you can talk to your mechanic so that you both understand what will happen if your vehicle is in for repair.

First, your mechanic is a person too; don’t automatically assume they are trying to rip you off. More than not, there are honest and reliable repair shops and the bad ones have spoiled it for the good ones.

• Ask you mechanic if they are ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certified. If they are, that means they passed rigorous testing to obtain that certification. With an ASE tech, you can feel pretty safe that they know what they are doing. Warranty Direct has a list of approved car repair shops you can refer.

• Before you go to the shop, make a list of everything you want checked out or problems and noises the vehicle might be making. A list is the best tool a mechanic can have. No mechanic is a crystal ball reader so you need to tell them what is happening.

• Go for a test drive before and after repairs. This is so important and so many customers don’t request it. I know one fellow who had his car in a whopping ten times for a noise he kept hearing and the mechanic could find nothing. Once a test drive was suggested by the mechanic to check for the noise, they found it was the automatic door locks that were locking after the fellow reached the required 17 miles per hour! So you can see how important your vehicle repairs can be if you both take the time for that all important test drive.

• Ask questions of your mechanic on things you should be looking for, how often different services should be performed, and how often your tires should be rotated or replaced. These services can vary depending upon the type of climate you live in so it’s best to ask an expert.

• Try and be as specific as you can when it comes to noises. Does it squeal? If so, say it squeals, don’t try and imitate the noise. If you car shimmies when you drive it, tell the mechanic this. Be specific when you are talking about what is happening when you drive.

• Ask for an estimate of what repairs might cost. If you think it’s too high, try another repair shop. If you think it’s fair, once the repairs are complete, ask the mechanic to give you a detailed explanation of what they replaced or repaired and how long the repairs or replacements should last and if the parts or any part of the labor is guaranteed.

• If you are in for a lube-oil-filter, make sure your mechanic tells you when your next oil change is due. While the rule is every 3,000 miles, some people simply ignore this rule and good mechanics will put a sticker inside your window that you can compare to your odometer.

When it’s time to visit the repair shop, don’t automatically think that mechanics are there to rip you off. Often the type of vehicle you buy can be costly to repair because of parts and recommended labor times it takes to get to the component that needs fixed. That’s not the mechanic’s fault—that’s the way the vehicle was designed.

Keep an open line of communication with your mechanic and if they are good, refer them to other people. A good reference can go a long way in the auto repair industry.

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