By Ralph Foglein, Cliff Greenman and John Postra

Last month, we offered some ideas to help you find a quality repair shop.

Now that you’ve found that perfect shop, we have some suggestions to help you obtain maximum value for your maintenance and repair dollar.

Given the complexity of modern automobiles, it is vitally important that owners have some understanding of their vehicles’ systems and functions.

Take some time to read the owner’s manual that came with your car. Pay particular attention to the section that deals with dash warning lights and their meanings, and what you should do if one of them illuminates. The consequences of failing to heed a warning light can range from inconvenience (broken down on the side of the road) to catastrophe (complete engine failure, also known as really broken down on the side of the road).

Become familiar with the part of the manual that describes periodic inspections that the driver should perform, such as checking engine oil and other fluid levels, exterior lights and tire condition and pressure. These checks are especially important given that many modern cars have extended service intervals and require fewer inspections by a professional mechanic.

If you have any questions regarding dash warning lights, or how to perform any of the recommended checks yourself, the folks at your repair shop should be happy to help you.

Of course, it’s also important to be aware of any changes in the car’s behavior, such as unusual odors or sounds, drops or puddles of fluid under the vehicle, difficulty in starting, loss of power, rough running or hesitation.

All of the above suggestions are intended to help you avoid problems, and to prevent small, relatively inexpensive problems from becoming bigger ones. You’d be amazed at how many cars arrive at our shop with next to no oil in the engine crankcase or with very low tire pressures. These situations can adversely affect the reliability, longevity, fuel economy and safety of your car. It’s up to the driver to perform the recommended checks on a regular basis.

It is also important to keep your vehicle current with the manufacturer’s recommended services. Money spent proactively for service will minimize the chances of a costly repair later on and maximize the longevity and driving pleasure of the car.

When a problem does occur that requires the attention of your repair shop, diagnosis can be quicker, simpler and less expensive if you carefully note the conditions under which the problem makes itself known. For example, if the car has a drivability issue, the service adviser will want to know how often the problem occurs. You will also be asked whether it happens in warm weather or cool, dry or rainy, whether the engine is hot or cold and if any dash warning lights are illuminated. Any other correlations that you notice also may aid in diagnosis.

Finally, read the service adviser’s written description of the problem on the repair order to ensure that it is complete and accurate, since this is the information that the technician will use to pinpoint the problem. The repair order that you sign is a legal contract, so you should have a clear understanding of the scope of the work to be performed.

Above all, feel free to ask as many questions as you need to understand what will be done to your vehicle. Any good service adviser will be happy to take as much time as needed to talk with you.

The writers operate European Auto Works, 239 W. Evelyn Ave., Mountain View. Send questions to them at c@ea-w.com.