With the recession, local car owners are being more prudent about regularly scheduled car maintenance, and following through on important repairs.

One demographic in particular is aggressively improving their "car smarts" – women. According to J.D. Power and Associates, women purchase 60 percent of all new and used automobiles, and influence 85 percent of all car purchases.

In addition, Road and Track Magazine's Female Buyer Study shows that women spend $300 billion annually on used car sales, maintenance, repairs, and service. With money tight, they are stepping up their efforts to be better informed. In fact, more than 65 percent of customers who take their vehicles to repair shops are women, states J.D. Power and Associates, so mechanics everywhere are getting a dose of "girl power" not just horsepower, in their repair shop.

"Women today are definitely more savvy when it comes to car care," says Don Rauch, director of dealer communications for Meineke Car Care Centers. "They own their own cars, and they are frequently the decision-maker when it comes to the family car. They also usually schedule maintenance, and manage the family budget, so with today's economy, they are being a lot more careful about how money is spent. "It pays to be smart about car care," Rauch continues. "Knowing how your car runs and what repairs are critical to keeping it in good condition can definitely help you avoid costly repair bills, and keep your vehicle running longer."

Gail Dunn, Atlanta auto expert and founder of the Women's Automotive Connection, offers seminars that teach women how to take control of their auto service.

She notes that in today's recession, the average person cannot afford to pay more than what their auto service should cost. Being uninformed could be financially devastating if you put off a needed repair, or pay more than needed.

"It's time to take the mystery out of car repair," says Kim Fox, an instructor with "Look Under the Hood" car care class in Corvallis, MT. "These classes raise the bar of women's understanding of how a car works so they can ask good questions (at service centers) and get meaningful answers. There's a mile of difference between expecting service technicians to magically tell you what's wrong with your car, and working with them on specific automotive repairs."

In the past, women without "car smarts" were sometimes taken advantage of when it came time for repairs or maintenance. Today, that is changing, with women nationwide, and in the Garner area, signing up for everything from online car advice to hands-on classes such as those offered by Dunn and others, including dealerships.

"We recommend that every customer have basic knowledge of how their car works," says Rauch. "You should understand, in simple terms, how the engine works; know how to check the various fluids, such as oil; how to conduct safety inspection; and how to check your tire pressure, inflate your tires, and change your tire. If you have questions about to do any of these things, just ask us."

Rauch adds that regular car maintenance can help you increase fuel mileage, increase the longevity of your vehicle, and troubleshoot any potential safety hazard before they become serious.

"Even something like under-inflated tires can have significant ramifications," Rauch says.

"Not only do they reduce your gas mileage, they also affect your car's handling ability. Bringing your car in for maintenance, and increasing your own knowledge, can only help you take better care of your car, your family, and your pocketbook."

For more information about Meineke Car Care Centers, call Timothy Woods, Meineke Car Care Center in Garner, located at 250 US Highway #70 West, at 919-662-1662.