The April issue of Consumer Reports is now on the newsstands. This is the month of their Annual Auto Issue. While much of the content is devoted to reviewing the 2009 models, there is also a lot of good information about servicing your car. Here are some examples:

Q. If my dealer goes out of business, where should I service my car?

A. More than 900 dealerships closed in 2008, and more will probably do so. You don’t need to take your car to a dealership for servicing: a good independent shop that specializes in your brand should be able to handle routing maintenance and repairs. But you need a dealer for warranty and recall work.

Q. How do I find a good repair shop?

A. Consider a shop that’s approved by AAA and is a member of the Better Business Bureau. Its technicians should be certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. Mechanics who specialize in your vehicle’s make are more likely to have the proper training, equipment, and information.

NOTE: Prestige Imports meets all these requirements and specializes in all import brands.

Save Hundreds on Maintenance

Watch for rip-offs that make you pay extra for auto service

• Dealers often wanted to charge for extra work that the automaker doesn’t require. We discovered that when we compared the service items included in quotes with the maintenance lists in the owner’s manuals.
• Many dealers’ estimates included extra service items that go beyond what’ve listed in the owner’s manuals. Those can include engine and transmission flushes or automatically replacing fluids and filters that the automakers’ maintenance schedules call for just inspecting.
• Check out independent shops, too. Quotes from independents that included all the items in the manual were sometimes $150 below the cheapest dealer.
• Legally, you can have maintenance performed by any mechanic without affecting your warranty. Just keep thorough records in case of a warranty claim. The only service that needs to be performed at a dealership are warranty repairs, recalls, or post-warranty work that you want the manufacturer to pay for.

Source: Consumer Reports Magazine, April 2009