The average age of a personal vehicle on the road today is more than 11 years, according to recent news reports. In tough economic times, it’s natural to rein in spending. But putting off routine auto maintenance or ignoring service intervals is false economy. Small issues can morph into more expensive repairs. For example, failure to replace worn brake pads or a faulty oxygen sensor – both relatively easy services for qualified auto technicians – can result in expensive brake rotor service or costly replacement of the vehicle’s catalytic converter.

Frequently neglected items include oil changes, tire and brake service, wheel alignment, air and fuel filters, and transmission service.

Besides, a well-maintained vehicle gets better gasoline mileage, pollutes less, is safer to operate, and lasts longer than one that’s neglected.

To help consumers choose a repair shop that fits their needs, ASE offers the following checklist:

• Look for a neat, well-organized facility, with vehicles in the parking lot equal in value to your own and modern equipment in the service bays.
• Look for a courteous staff, with a service consultant willing to answer all of your questions.
• Look for policies regarding estimated repair costs, diagnostic fees, guarantees, and acceptable methods of payment.
• Ask if the repair facility specializes or if it usually handles your type of repair work.