Dec. 31--The numbers for 2007 aren't in, but authorities in California and across the country know that drivers impaired by alcohol and-or drugs cause thousands of deaths and injuries each year. In 2006, 1,597 people were killed and 31,099 were injured in alcohol-related crashes in California. Authorities arrested 197,248 people on suspicion of driving under the influence, an 8 percent increase from 2005.

Florida drivers trying to follow the changes in PIP - shorthand for personal injury protection in the event of a crash - might have experienced whiplash keeping track of the law's demise and revival. The state stopped mandating $10,000 in PIP coverage on Oct. 1. Days later, lawmakers approved legislation that makes PIP mandatory again, but not until Jan. 1. Now that three-month suspension of the PIP requirement is about to end. Some drivers never lost PIP coverage and will see no change, but others will pay more for their insurance to get PIP back in their policies.

REPUTATION -- Ask friends or family members to recommend a mechanic or repair shop that they like and trust. The local Better Business Bureau (BBB) will give you information on whether complaints have been filed against a specific business, the total number and whether or not they have been resolved. MECHANIC QUALIFICATIONS -- Ask the service manager if the shop's mechanics have been certified by a car manufacturer or a professional organization, such as Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), and in which areas they have been certified, such as brakes, electrical, etc. Look for a mechanic with good training and credentials, updated knowledge and skill, proper tools and equipment and experience working on your particular model automobile.

Give clear, brief instructions as to what work you want done. Do not give vague instructions or tell the mechanic to simply "fix" the car. Do not suggest specific auto repairs unless you are sure what type of work is needed. To help the mechanic pinpoint the problem, describe the car's "symptoms" simply and accurately, how the car performs or how it sounds. Many shops charge for diagnostic time or to partially disassemble a car component such as an engine or transmission in order to find the cause of a problem. Ask about diagnostic charges and if there will be a fee if you decide not to have the work done, have it done elsewhere or want a second opinion.

Itemized prices for both parts and labor for each repair to be made. The type of replacement parts to be used, such as new (manufacturer's original or after market, independently manufactured), used, or rebuilt. A notation to contact you for approval before doing any additional work not specified in the written estimate or if the price exceeds the original estimate. You may want to consider getting a second opinion or take your car to another shop.

Carefully review the completed invoice before you pay the bill to be certain that all requested work was done, and ask for an explanation of any changes or discrepancies. Request a written warranty or guarantee, if applicable, and know what it covers. Ask for all replaced parts and save them until you are sure that the repairs are satisfactory. Inspect and/or test drive the car in the parking lot or on the highway, if that is where prior symptoms arose, to make sure the problem has been corrected. If possible, pay for car repairs with a credit card since, under certain conditions, you can withhold payment if the repairs were not done correctly. Bring any repair or service problem to the shop's attention as soon as possible, and give them a chance to correct any deficiencies.

Discuss any dispute with the manager of the business and allow the company to either offer an explanation or correct the problem. Keep copies of all written estimates and bills and written accounts of all experiences, dates, times, expenses and names of all contacts. If you are not satisfied, you may file a complaint with our Office or file a claim in Magistrate's Court. If the repair was done by the dealership for your make of car and neither the service manager or general manager has been able to resolve the problem, check your owner's manual for the address of the nearest zone office and contact them. If the zone office fails to resolve the problem, consider a third-party dispute resolution program such as those sponsored by specific manufacturers, Better Business Bureaus or Automobile Consumer Action Program (AUTOCAP).

PRICING/BILLING DISPUTES -- No laws or regulations govern how much a business may charge for goods or services. Comparison shop before you agree to have repairs done. DELAYS IN COMPLETING REPAIRS OR SERVICES -- Uncontrollable factors can delay the completion of a repair. If the time of completion is critical, ask the repair shop to highlight that information on the written repair order and advise you immediately if there is a problem. Clear communication with the repair shop is essential.

To preserve your rights under warranty and to keep your car in good running condition, read and follow the automobile manufacturer's maintenance recommendations found in the owner's manual. Do not ignore the warning lights and gauges on your car, as they may signal a developing problem that could possibly cause damage or void the warranty. Note the circumstances if an abnormal condition or malfunction should arise and report them to your mechanic. For example, does the problem occur when the car is first started or only after it has been running for some time? Is it present at low speeds or only on the highway? Keep service invoices and maintenance records organized and accessible, as they could be useful in a warranty dispute or when you sell the car.

Does your vehicle engine run ok? Or does it cut-out on you sometimes when your are going to visit your in-laws? Does it *spit* and *sputter* and *backfire*, then start running ok, again? Symptoms of this nature can be several things.