Everything they don't explain at the shop

Plain-language guides to owning a car and dealing with the people who service it. What's fair, what to ask, what to skip.

• Is your repair quote too high?How a repair quote is built, where the padding usually hides, and what to say before you agree to anything.
• Is a brake fluid flush necessary, or a scam?A brake fluid flush is real maintenance, but shops often sell it before it's due. Here's how to tell if yours is actually needed.
• Do car shops charge women more?Sometimes, yes. But studies show the gap comes down to appearing uninformed, and it closes when you know what a repair should cost. Here's how.