Your Essential Car Kit

Yet, there are some essential items that both Ervick and Gray state should be riding along with you:

Jumper cables: Think -50C Winnipeg winter weather these are a must, even for the newest car. Be sure you know how to use them. Ask someone you know, or swallow your pride and ask at the garage or auto supply shop.

Tire pressure gauge: This little pen-sized tool can fit nicely in the glove box, but save you from a blow out later. Ervick says most vehicles ('95 and on) should have a sticker on the inside of the driver's door with the car's tire size and the pressure they should be at. Checking it once in a while (which is as simple as placing the air pressure gauge onto the tire's valve stem the pencil-width air nozzle on the side of the tire) will help ensure less wear on you tires.

A properly inflated spare tire and tools to put it on (i.e. a jack): This is in case you didn't use your tire pressure gauge, or hit one too many potholes. Don't think you have this already? Pull up the floor mat in your trunk everything you need should be neatly tucked under there. Gray suggests pulling the package out and at least becoming familiar with the basics of changing a tire you never know when your cell might be out of range for a tow truck.

Cell phone charger: It's Murphy's Law that you'd be out on the coldest/rainiest day of the year, your car dies and so does your cell phone battery. Ensure you have your cell fully charged before you leave home, or charge it while driving with a cigarette lighter charger.

Kitty litter (in the winter): You don't need a whole bag, but just enough to sprinkle behind the tires to give you the added traction to get out of a slippery spot.

Your owners manual: While you may have a drawer full of manuals from the vacuum to the stove this is one little booklet that should stay with its appliance. It can help you do everything from setting your clock, to finding the right kind of oil, so dig it out from under all those Kleenexes and ketchup packets in your glove box.

CAA card: If you can't do it, call someone who can. Memberships range from $82.95 to $163.80 a year and include towing services, free car boosts, free gas delivery if you run out on the road (plus free gas if you are a VP member) and they will pop your lock if you happen to lock your keys inside.

When To Get What
Going to the mechanic is like going to the doctor for some people, says Gray. They only go when there's a problem. They don't go as a preventative measure.

Oil change: Most vehicles will have that little red light on the dash that will let you know when it's urgent to get a change. But, like most car care, prevention is better. Every three months or 5,000 kilometres is ideal, but if you can't pull into a lube bay make sure to think of the spring and fall clock changes as your time to get service.

Ervick suggests at least one oil change be at your car dealership or a place where they put the car on a hoist. This way they can do a visual assessment of the rest of the vehicle and alert you to any potential problems.

Brake fluid and coolant: Once a year ensure that your mechanic takes a look at these levels. Again, it can be combined with your oil change.
Those Greasy Grease Monkeys

So, it's time for that spring oil change, but you've got the idea that mechanics take advantage when they see a pair of heels walk through the door. The fact is anyone can receive the wrong diagnosis, but there are a few ways to feel a little more comfortable when walking through the garage doors.

Shop for shops Find someone you are comfortable with and who you can start building a relationship with, suggests Gray. Don't feel bad going shop to shop until you find that right fit and you trust them.

She adds that like anything, word of mouth about a good experience speaks volumes. So try the places you've heard positive things about.

Be clear. The number one piece of advice I can give anyone when going to a mechanic or any kind of automotive business is to know what you want and be able to clearly convey what you would like done, states Bow. If you just go in saying there is a strange noise coming from under the hood or I need that dent in my bumper fixed, then you sometimes open yourself up to a situation where you can be taken advantage of because you weren't specific enough and they ended up doing more to the car than you wanted or that was necessary.

Ask questions. Ervick says any good shop will let you come back into the garage in order to ask questions about the service. If you don't know what they're talking about, ask them to explain each part, what it does and why it needs to be repaired. In most situations you will be able to visually see the problem, and not necessarily have to rely on the technician's word.

Gray adds that you should never feel bad about speaking your mind either. If you disagree with something, or feel a certain way, state it. The reaction of the mechanic or service technician will speak volumes, and either build or dislodge trust.

Don't wait for a break Don't just bring your vehicle in last minute when something is broken, says Gray. Then they can pressure you into other repairs.

Preventative services highlight potential pitfalls. You can then save up for a repair later on, and take it to the shop you feel most comfortable receiving service at.

Get a second opinion. Finally, if you still feel like you're being taken for a ride, don't get the service done.

You can take the information they are giving you and get a second opinion, says Ervick. Even do a little research on the Internet. The more information you are armed with, the better.

One last piece of key car advice:
Don't be intimidated! Cars are a lot more simplistic than most people think. I tend to think that most women have very logical minds and that would make the understanding of the workings of cars much easier, says Bow. Don't be afraid to get dirty grease and oil wash off. Just don't wear good clothes or heels. Although I do have a certain respect for women who can drive like Mario Andretti while wearing four-inch heels.