Make sure you're not paying too much for fall car care. Part 2

Fall is an important time to give your car a thorough checkup, before it has to carry you through cold winter months of potentially foul weather. Keeping up with routine maintenance can help ensure reliable operation, and some key replacement items can be inspected right in the driveway, such as the battery, tires, and wiper blades. These basic items can prove vital in a tough winter storm. In addition, a basic emergency kit can prepare you for the worst.

While you can inspect your car, most motorists will turn to a dealership or service center for maintenance and repair. This is a solid, ownership practice, but be forewarned that we've found that taking your car into the shop and asking for, say, a 60,0000-mile service can be a recipe for paying too much. In a study last year, we found that dealerships often did work that wasn't required in the manufacturer's maintenance schedule. And they charged higher rates for similar service than independent mechanics did. (Read: "Save hundreds on auto service.")

Even after that survey, we found that one of our own staff members got charged too much when he took his minivan in and asked for a 60,000-mile service. For example, the shop replaced a cabin air filter that had been replaced a year before and charged him to rotate tires that were bald and needed replacing.

Bottom line: It's important to keep your car maintained. But make sure you're only paying for maintenance that is truly needed.