1. Never go to the so called chain mechanics such as Firestone, Midas etc, especially Firestone for FREE checks or any repair works unless it's urgent. They are notorious not only they don't know how to do the job well but also they
will purposely or accidentally do some job bad to your car, which is how the FREE check come from.

2. There are mechanics with the "ASE" (the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence the) certified. You can look for the logo on their working uniforms or on the walls. They are more reliable but may charge you more than
average.

3. Go to the mechanics with proper orientation when you do need a big repair, because different mechanics concentrated on different kinds of cars, for example, you cannot count on the mechanics near Chinatown to service a Porsche. I know mechanics who are pretty good at Japanese student cars like Corolla, Civic, when I asked them about my Sable, they are not that sure about the answers and they even don't know how to get the alloy wheel off.

4. Oil and filter change is not a must for 3000 miles or 3 months, these are the old ideas in 80s and early 90s because the engine and the gas is different.  For more recent cars as mid and late 90s it's not necessary to do that on an
interval of 3000 miles.  There are still these suggestions on all kinds of manuals only because the companies such as oil producer want to squeeze more money out of your pocket.

Besides, the color of the engine oil is not the indication of time to change it. It will become dark because it absorbs the dirty thing in your engine, but it can absorb more when you drive only for 3000 miles, sometimes, 7500 miles is
still OK.  And don't waste money on engine flush which is advertised to improve your MPG (miles per gallon), though wheel balancing and wheel alignment will help a lot.

These are my personal opinions but you can refer to more information on the personal WebPages and newsgroup on the internet.  NOTE, car is like your baby, well cater to it but DO NOT spoil it.  Spend the money that is needed.

Yang