The answer to that question isn’t as hard to find out as you might think. Even if you know absolutely nothing about cars, you can ferret out information that will help you decide whether you want the job done at your present garage or not.

Now, back to that estimate; you will need a copy in writing. Make sure it details not only the parts that need replacing, but also the estimated labor time and costs. With this in hand, it’s time to do a little bit of research.

To get started, contact other garages for over-the-phone estimates. Tell them exactly what your mechanic said is wrong, what parts need to be replaced and the estimated labor time involved. See what kind of quotes they come back with. Keep in mind you will want to deal with reputable garages for the secondary quotes. If the offers come back much lower than your garage, you might want to consider going elsewhere.

If you do not have the time to call around, use the Internet to help you. You can get a reasonable estimate on parts costs and even labor time by doing a search online.

Repair bills can be costly and if you have a trusted garage, chances are the quote is fair. If something seems off or you’re just not sure the price is right, do check things out. It never hurts to get a second opinion before signing off on a costly repair job.

To be prepared for most emergencies that might come your way without taking up all the space in your trunk, keep these items on hand:

• A spare tire – If space is really at a premium, a “doughnut” or reduced size spare often included by the manufacturer will work just fine. Remember these are only good for about 50 miles or so though. Even small cars have spots in place to hold doughnuts for easier stowing.

• A jack – There is no point having a spare if you can’t get it on the car when you need it the most. Having a good sized jack and tire-changing tools is a good idea. Be careful of compact jacks that might not properly support the weight of your car.

• Jumper cables – A dead battery can be a real pain in the neck. These little items will help solve the problem and do not take up much room.

• First aid kit – Having a basic first aid kit to stow in the trunk is also wise. Keep it stocked with items like bandages, disinfectant and sting ointment.

• Cell phone – Even if you don’t use it for anything other than emergencies, a basic cell phone is a lifeline in times of roadside crisis.

Keeping up with all the things recommended for everyday road travel safety isn’t easy. When it’s time to pare down the list, five basic items can help you cover your bases.

Tires serve four primary functions. When they are not operating properly, a number of critical systems can suffer. Ultimately, improperly cared for tires can make a vehicle unsafe to operate and they can also give rise to costly repairs.

The main reasons tires are important do go well beyond gas mileage and include these functions:

• Supporting the weight of a vehicle – Tires are designed to bear the brunt of the weight of a vehicle and the weight inside it. Worn tires will not do this effectively.

• Absorb shocks – While a car’s suspension also comes into play here, tires are a part of this system. When they are worn down and do not function correctly, bumps will become much more noticeable.

• Traction and braking – Tires keep your car on the road at high speeds and assist in the braking process. Having a good set of well-maintained tires is essential for safety in any kind of weather.

• Navigation – Tires are also important for directing a vehicle through turns. When tires are worn, a vehicle can fail to handle properly. This, in turn, can lead to dangerous situations on the road.

Keeping up with tire pressure and replacement is vital for keeping a vehicle running right.

To increase chances for safety on the road, make sure to:

• Avoid distractions – Distracted driving isn’t just about using cell phones while behind the wheel. It includes eating, drinking and other things that take your eyes off the road and/or your hands off the wheel. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were almost 6,000 deaths attributed to this bad driving habit in 2008 alone.

• Maintain a safe distance when following other cars – The general rule of thumb is to allow several car lengths or at least two or three seconds between your vehicle and the one in front of you. This allows for reaction time. Do keep in mind that safe distance rules can be impacted by poor driving conditions. In general, you enough space to have time to react if the car in front of you slams on the brakes.

• Maintain visibility – Whenever possible, make sure to not follow behind vehicles that block your vision of traffic lights and traffic ahead of you. The farther down the road you can see, the better.

• Take care when passing or riding alongside big trucks – If you can’t see a truck’s mirrors, the driver cannot see you. Give plenty of space to big rigs and remember that their blind spots do differ from smaller vehicles.

• Slow down – Unless you are on a track, driving is not a race. Make sure to do the speed limit, adjust speeds for poor conditions and exercise common sense.

Even highly experienced drivers can run into situations where they start developing poor habits. It’s always a good idea to brush up on your defensive driving habits.

If you are flying solo on a long-distance trip, you will not want any car accessories that might serve as a distraction. You can, however, make your atmosphere more comfortable by considering these items:

• An MP3 device – MP3 players can store a whole lot of driving music and spare you from fiddling with receiver buttons as you head down the road. Wearing ear buds while you drive, however, is never advised. Instead, consider adapters that enable MP3 music to play over a car’s stereo system. If a lower-tech option is desired, a portable speaker mount only costs a few bucks for most players and will run off batteries.

• A GPS system – This can come in handy whether you’re going it alone or the car will be full of passengers. When you’re on your own, however, a GPS can be a lifesaver. There is no reason to fiddle with maps when a GPS is in the car.

• Drink cooler – A drink cooler that plugs into a car’s accessory outlet is a great way to keep stops at a minimum. This can sit in the backseat or next to you on the passenger side for easier access.

If you have family along for the ride, all the above accessories can make a trip more enjoyable. So can things like a portable DVD player, handheld video games and other items to occupy your passengers’ time.

A road trip can be made much more enjoyable when the right accessories are taken along for the ride.

The better prepared you are for conditions on the road ahead the more likely it is you will have an uneventful trip. To make sure your car is up to the journey, you will want to consider such things as:

•Your battery – Batteries sold in warmer climates are not necessarily designed to handle freezing temperatures. Check yours and make sure it can stand the climate you’re planning to head into. If not, you may want to replace it before you go so you can count on your engine starting time and again.
•Your fluids – Do go in for an oil and fluid change before the trip. Tell the mechanic where you’re going and ask for proper antifreeze for the temperatures.
•Your tires – If conditions are going to be snowy or icy, you may want to invest in tires to handle the trip. Chains can help in some instances, but snow tires might be the best if it’s really coming down where you plan on driving to.
•A safety kit – Be prepared for what may lie ahead by stocking up on basic supplies like roadside flags for breakdowns, flares, a first aid kit and even add blankets and warm weather gear to the trunk.
•Visibility gear – Make sure your windshield wipers are durable enough to handle snow removal. You may also want to buy a windshield scraper for ice. If you can’t find one where you live, look for them online or pick one up as soon as you hit a colder region.

Driving up north in the peak of winter can be a lot of fun, but safety needs to come first. Be sure to weatherize your Southern car before you pull out.

Before agreeing to the repair job, consider:

• Reviewing the value of your car – If your car is only worth $1,000 and the repair will cost you $2,000, you’re probably throwing good money after bad. It might be wiser to use that repair money to put down on another vehicle.

• Checking into your payment options – Some garages do offer payment plans when bills run too high. If your car is worth the investment, ask to see if your garage does have any type of program available.

• Asking your mechanic’s opinion – If your mechanic is one you have had for a while, get his or her opinion. It might be possible to make your car road ready again for less by using used parts or even just doing the necessities of a repair now and finishing off some work later. Your mechanic might also give you a frank opinion on whether it is worth repairing your car or not.

A huge repair estimate is just insult added on top of injury when your car is in the shop. Unfortunately, the estimates are often accurate and fair. You do, however, still have some options that might make the sticker shock a little less painful.

The first rule to remember is to never be afraid to just get to a safe place and wait it out. If you cannot see five feet in front of your car, changes are others cannot see you either. It is okay to err on the side of caution and eliminate the risk of a crash. If you do stop, try to pull over in a parking lot. If this is not possible, make sure to put on your hazard lights and get your car out of the driving lanes.

Now, if visibility is still present, but the rain is coming down anyway, these tips can keep you safer:

•Use extreme caution – It is not necessary to race to a destination during a downpour. This is especially so after long periods without rain. A build up of oil and grease on highways following dry periods can transform asphalt into a very slick surface.
•Maintain distance – While it is always recommended to maintain several car lengths’ distance, rain calls for even more caution. Be sure to give yourself plenty of space on the road and resist the urge to ride too close to others.
•Go easy on the brakes – Slamming on the brakes during a rain storm is a recipe for disaster. Instead, maintain that distance and give yourself plenty of time to brake earlier and more softly. Your car simply needs more time to react in the rain.
•Don’t cruise – A rainy day is not the time to rely on cruise control. While this feature is handy, it can cause all kinds of problems in a storm. You want your feet on the pedals and you want to have complete control of the car when conditions are bad outside.

Driving in the rain can be perilous. Exercise caution, take your time and slow down to enjoy greater safety as you go from Point A to Point B.

Performing routine car inspections to keep up with maintenance needs is one of the smartest things motorists can do to stretch out the life of their vehicles. The things to keep up with include:

• Fluids – Make a point of learning how to check fluids and do so on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. Topping off things like steering fluid and oil can be important for maintaining a vehicle properly. Also learn to recognize signs of corruption in these fluids. Sometimes full changes are required before the sticker on the window indicates.

• Lights – It is a good idea to inspect brake lights and turn signals on a weekly basis. This can help prevent accidents and keep a vehicle safer on the road.

• Tires – Do take the time to maintain proper tire pressure and also learn to look for signs of tread wear. When tires are not functioning as they should, an accident risk is present.

• Brakes – Pay attention to the sound and feel of brakes. If they become too spongy or just don’t sound right, it’s probably time to change the pads. Keeping up with this can spare the braking system damage and save on costly repairs.

Routine inspections and proper maintenance can extend the useful life of a car. While repairs cannot always be avoided, taking the right preventative measures can keep them at bay longer.

Follow these helpful tips in order to protect your car throughout the storage situation.

• First, fill your car up. A full gas tank is a happy gas tank. When you do this you will prevent against condensation from forming in your tank while it is idle. Consider adding a fuel stabilizer and take your car for a ride before you store it in order to distribute the stabilizer evenly.

• Give your car a good washing and detailing. Whether you do this yourself or if you take it to a professional, make sure a layer of wax is also applied for added protection and care.

• Buy a 4-mil polyethylene drop cloth to place on your garage floor. This will act as a vapor barrier and protect your undercarriage.

• Make sure your parking brake is off.

• Disconnect the battery. This will prevent corrosion from building up and it will also prevent the battery from draining.

• Consider putting the car up on blocks. This decreases the weight and stress on the tires and the wheels.

• Put a rag into the tailpipe to reduce the chance of moisture building up and rusting this area.