Sign In Become a MemberDonate Car Repair Assistant Your auto repair done right, only the work you need with no add ons. PROVIDED BY GET REPAIR ESTIMATE FIND A SHOP Select Make Select Model Select Year Available in US only See Full List Get Estimate Why trust Car Repair Assistant? High Quality Repairs Your auto repair done right, only the work you need with no add ons. Never Overpay Our free estimator calculates a custom price for your vehicle repair. Guaranteed Repairs Rest easy knowing you're covered by a local warranty. CR EXPERT ADVICE What You Need to Know About Car Maintenance & Repairs Check the Engine Oil At least once a month, check the oil level with a cold car parked on level ground—or per the owner's manual. Assess the Air Filter Remove the air-filter element and hold it up to a strong light. If you don't see light shining through, replace it. Inspect Car Belts and Hoses With a cool engine, look for signs of wear, stress, and cracks among the hoses and belts. Feel for usually soft spots on hoses. Check Tire Air Pressure Once a month and before any extended road trips, use an accurate tire-pressure gauge to check the inflation pressure in each tire, including the spare. Wash the Car Wash the body with a car-specific soap and, if necessary, hose out the fender wells and undercarriage to remove dirt and road salt. Waxing Car wax offers a great way to protect your car from scratches and preserve the shine, but even the best waxes last just a few weeks. Find a Shop for Your Brand of Car Many garages specialize in certain makes. Those that focus on your type are more likely to have the latest training and equipment to fix your vehicle. Check for Certification Your mechanic and shop should be certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, or ASE. Car Repair Encyclopedia Stay in the Loop. Stay Informed. Create a free account to check the Car Recall Tracker™. Become a Member About Our Car Repair Assistant Whether you’re getting your car repaired or just keeping up with scheduled maintenance, Consumer Reports wants to help you get your car fixed right without overpaying. Our partnership with RepairPal gives you access to a nationwide network of more than 2,000 repair shops that guarantee high-quality auto repair service at a fair price. Consumer Reports collects a fee from RepairPal when car owners use a shop in their network for repairs. 100% of the fees we collect goes to support our nonprofit mission. Consumer Reports has no financial relationship with any repair shops. Repair data provided by RepairPal.com © 2021. All rights reserved. Member Support Contact Us Account Settings What is Membership? Make a Donation Newsletters Give a Gift About About Us Career Opportunities Media Room Advocacy CR Recommended Program Data Intelligence Digital Lab Product Reviews Appliances Babies & Kids Cars Electronics Health Home & Garden Money A-Z Index Magazine & Books Current Issue CR Digital Archive 5 Year Index CR Store More Video en Español Report a Safety Problem Give a Confidential News Tip Buy a New Car Buy a Used Car Sitemap Join Facebook Twitter YouTube instagram Pinterest Privacy Policy User Agreement Ad Choices Do Not Sell My Personal Information © 2021 Consumer Reports, Inc. By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Do Not Sell My Personal Information Accept All Cookies