If you're like me and want to keep your car in top shape but don't have a lot of "under the hood" experience, it's easy to feel like you're being taken for a ride when keeping up with maintenance. My suggestion: Read your car's owner's manual and take note of all the scheduled maintenance it recommends (oil changes, brakes, tire rotation, etc.). The next time you're at Jiffy Lube and they say you need something that you've never heard of or are unsure about, decline the offer and look into it later. Most things are not so important they must be done immediately, and consulting friends and other car owners can help you get an idea of what you need done. These places love to tell you that you need services much more often than you really do, as well.

Case in point: I was at Jiffy Lube for an oil change when they suggested a "Fuel System Cleaning." It sounded standard enough but I had never heard of it, so I said "no thanks" and then checked my manual and the Internet later. Not only did the manual never mention the service, several reports online actually claimed that a fuel system cleaning can do more harm than good to your car.

If it had turned out I really did need it, I could always go back!

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