Straight advice from the shop floor.

Lindsey Brown, our shop foreman, puts it simply: you have every right to a friendly relationship where you pay fair market value and the work is done correctly by people you respect.

Dealers have factory training and special tools, but many have cut the experienced problem-solvers from their payroll. An independent shop with accomplished mechanics, current scan tools and an online service manual subscription can do very nearly anything, usually for less.

Quick-service chains can be fine on the few systems they're trained on, but a general mechanic is likelier to spot the leak or worn part nobody asked about.

No. Any shop can perform the required maintenance. As long as the service book is stamped and you keep the records, your warranty remains valid. Factory warranty repairs usually do need a dealer, so know where your nearest one is.

Low-profile tires and stiff suspensions make modern cars more vulnerable, and alloy rims bend more easily than old steel ones.

• Keep your tires at the correct pressure.
• Slow down. Speed raises the odds of damage to tires, wheels, shocks and springs.
• Don't brake directly over a pothole.
• Be wary of puddles, which can hide deep holes.

After a big hit, look for bulging sidewalls or pressure loss, and listen for new noises. If the car feels off, we'll check the alignment and balance.

You can't get an inspection sticker with it on, and a small sensor fault can grow into an expensive repair. We have the latest scan tools, and we'll tell you what it means.