Last month, after I had a flat tire and needed to go to Firestone to get a replacement, I was told it would cost $110 for their service. Thanks to being raised by a cynical father (who happens to be a salesman himself), I knew that wasn’t the real price. I watched him question the services of every car repair he has ever received and negotiate the price of my first car (a used one).
Whether you are getting a tire changed, or a bumper replaced, auto repair can be a very tricky business. Unfortunately, it is all too common for businesses to rip off customers. They know, in almost any scenario, the customer doesn’t know nearly enough about cars (aka, they’re not a gear head) and, thus, customers don’t know the true cost of the repair.
Many companies distribute coupons offering a discounted or even free service. However, they are almost always very basic services that are offered for the purpose of luring you in the door – only to tell you that you suddenly need an expensive repair completely unrelated to your original service request.

New Car Buyers
If you have bought a new car in recent years, some automakers offer free service programs for the first 50,000 miles or five years. Check with your manufacturer or dealer to see if you are eligible. They offer basic repair services such as brake pad replacements and oil changes.
Maintenance
Most automotive service companies offering oil changes will tell you that you need to have your oil changed every three months or 3,000 miles. However, if your car is less than 10 years old, true experts will tell you to change the oil between 5,000 and 10,000 miles.
For instance, Ford has announced that they recommend waiting until 7,500 miles. Other motor companies took similar actions after an article was released from the Associated Press in 2007:
“Not only are modern oils better, modern engines are also better. You don’t have carburetors metering poorly on winter mornings, tolerances are a lot tighter, and operating temperatures are typically a little hotter, helping to cook off the junk that accumulates in the oil. Ford contends that its customers prefer a set amount of miles between changes. The automaker also cites the environmental benefits that come from less waste oil, monetary savings, as well as extensive tests as positive aspects of the new recommendation.”
For more answers to important topic like these, visit independent car review sites like Carprousa.com. They have handy tools such as a fuel cost calculator, and you will be able to read comprehensive vehicle reviews, dealer reviews and current news.
Lauren Atwell is a freelance writer whose past articles have covered subject matters such as thriftiness, short term loans, personal finance and investments.
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