Extending the life of you car and keeping it running properly can depend heavily on the experience and ability of the mechanic or technician who regularly works on it for you. Don't take chances with the health of your vehicle; insist on their being ASE certified. ASE certification comes from the nonprofit organization, National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence.

There are nearly 500,000 ASE certified automotive professionals in the industry now with ASE testing and certifying technicians in all of the major areas of auto repair and service. You can find ASE certified technicians as well as parts specialists across the United States in shops from independent garages to huge multi-line dealerships.

The beauty of the ASE certification is that it is certifying the individual technician's ability not the repair facility in which they are employed. It doesn't really matter if a repair facility has a good reputation if there are unqualified technicians working there. ASE-certified technicians prove their technical competence to themselves, to their employers and to their customers. The fact that ASE certification is voluntary for the most part further eliminates slackers as only those who are self motivated seek out the certification.

Twice a year in May and November ASE tests over 100,000 technicians around the country. To become ASE certified one must pass at least one exam and have verified work experience of at least two years. The tests, developed by industry experts with oversight from ASE's in-house pros, are administered by ACT, the same group known for its college entrance exams.

There are exams covering all major areas of auto repair. There are eight tests for auto technicians alone: engine repair, engine performance, electrical/electronic systems, brakes, heating and air conditioning, suspension and steering, manual drive train and axles, and automatic transmissions. (There are also exams for collision repair technicians, damage estimators, parts specialists and others.)

Another reason ASE certification requires dedication is because one must re-test every five years to maintain their certification which again weeds out the lazy and uninitiated.