Workshops teach car care basics

For anyone who's felt intimidated, taken advantage of or simply clueless when it comes to getting your car fixed, Doug Turner understands. A corporate attorney for 15 years, he never fully trusted mechanics and wondered why they weren't more courteous, especially toward women who may be less familiar with cars.

So when Turner and his partners recently bought Vortex Motorsport in Tampa, Fla., he vowed to run a shop where customers felt comfortable to ask questions. He wanted automotive professionals, not grease monkeys. That philosophy prompted him to start car-care workshops for women. The two-hour clinics, which are free and open to anyone, offer tips from changing the oil to choosing a mechanic.

Some highlights:

-Driveway drips

Water condensation from the air conditioner is fine; oil or greenish radiator fluid is not, and could cause your engine to overheat and blow. Be concerned about any leak larger than a silver dollar. Panic about anything larger than a grapefruit.

-Problematic parts

Many parts start to go at 60,000 miles, including the starter, belts, power windows, shocks and brakes. Yes, that's just about the time many warranties end. Ask to see the old parts and take them home if you want. A bad belt will have tiny cracks. A bad brake rotor will have a lot of grooves, like a vinyl record.

-Brake pads

A brake pad isn't soft. It's metal and wears down with age. If a mechanic says you have 50 percent of your pad left, you don't need to replace it right away. At 20 percent, you probably do. At 5 percent, you absolutely do.

-Oil changes

Note the kind of oil used. Standard oil will last about 3,000 miles; synthetic will last 5,000. Keep in mind synthetic oil costs significantly more per quart, raising the price of the oil change. Make sure the mechanic replaces the oil filter and not just the oil.

-Tire pressure

Buy a gauge and check the pressure monthly. Overinflated tires can blow out while driving and wear unevenly. Underinflated tires reduce gas mileage. Most cars have a sticker on the driver door with the recommended pounds of pressure. On average, rotate tires every 10,000 miles.

-Check engine light

It usually means a sensor in the exhaust system is out. If the light starts to flash, pull over safely, turn off the car and call for help. Restarting the engine may cause further damage.

-Dead batteries

When getting a jump, turn off the radio, A.C. and lights. Start the donor car first. Shield your eyes from the battery, as it can explode.

-Shop talk

Once you find a shop you like, stick with it. That way, the shop will know your car's history. Ask if the shop bills by book time or straight time. Book time is a set amount charged for labor on specific repairs. Straight time is the actual amount of time the repair took. While most places use book time, it can cost customers more because mechanics often end up finishing the job faster.

-Tire changing

Avoid it whenever possible. Removing the lug nuts is extremely difficult using the tool supplied with your jack. Instead, call AAA or a towing service. If you insist on doing it yourself, buy a breaker bar and socket to remove the lug nuts more easily.

E-mail Susan Thurston at sthurston(at)tampabay.com

(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service www.scrippsnews.com)