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Federal Trade Commission — Auto Repair Basics

• FTC advises consumers to ask for a written estimate before work is done.
• The estimate should say the shop will seek approval before exceeding a set amount; state law may require it.
• Consumers can ask for replaced parts back; some states require it.
• There is no standard repair warranty; get warranty terms in writing.

Cited on: Brake Pad Replacement Cost, Repair or Replace Your Car?, Car Maintenance Cost Planner, Check a brake caliper replacement quote, Check a brake fluid service quote, Check a transmission repair, rebuild or replacement quote, Check a transmission fluid service quote, Check an engine replacement or rebuild quote, Check a head gasket replacement quote, Check a water pump replacement quote, Check a car radiator replacement quote, Check a timing belt replacement quote, Check a serpentine belt replacement quote, Check a spark plug replacement quote, Check a wheel alignment quote, Check an alternator replacement quote, Check a 12-volt car battery quote, Check a catalytic converter replacement quote, Check a control arm replacement quote, Check a car diagnostic quote, Check an oxygen sensor replacement quote, Check a starter replacement quote, Check a shock or strut replacement quote, Check a tire replacement quote, Check a wheel bearing replacement quote, Check a car AC repair quote, Check a car AC compressor replacement quote, Check a car AC recharge quote, Check a windshield replacement quote, Check a windshield chip repair quote, Check a car paint job quote, Check a collision repair estimate, Check a hail damage repair quote, Check a towing quote, Check an oil change quote

Federal Trade Commission — Auto Warranties and Auto Service Contracts

• Routine maintenance or repairs by an independent shop cannot by itself void the warranty.
• Aftermarket or recycled parts do not by themselves void the warranty.
• To deny coverage, the manufacturer or dealer must prove the aftermarket or recycled part caused the damage.
• Exception: if the warranty provides free work or free parts, the maker can choose the facility or parts.

Cited on: Car Maintenance Cost Planner, Check a transmission repair, rebuild or replacement quote, Check an oil change quote

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Check for Recalls: Vehicle, Car Seat, Tire, Equipment

• Owners contact a dealership to have the recalled part fixed for free.
• NHTSA monitors recalls so owners receive free remedies from manufacturers.
• The VIN/plate search does not show recalls older than 15 years unless the maker offers more coverage.

Cited on: Brake Pad Replacement Cost, Repair or Replace Your Car?, Car Maintenance Cost Planner, Check a brake caliper replacement quote, Check a brake fluid service quote, Check a transmission repair, rebuild or replacement quote, Check a transmission fluid service quote, Check an engine replacement or rebuild quote, Check a head gasket replacement quote, Check a water pump replacement quote, Check a car radiator replacement quote, Check a timing belt replacement quote, Check a serpentine belt replacement quote, Check a spark plug replacement quote, Check a wheel alignment quote, Check an alternator replacement quote, Check a 12-volt car battery quote, Check a catalytic converter replacement quote, Check a control arm replacement quote, Check a car diagnostic quote, Check an oxygen sensor replacement quote, Check a starter replacement quote, Check a shock or strut replacement quote, Check a tire replacement quote, Check a wheel bearing replacement quote, Check a car AC repair quote, Check a car AC compressor replacement quote, Check a car AC recharge quote, Check a windshield replacement quote, Check a windshield chip repair quote, Check a car paint job quote, Check a collision repair estimate, Check a hail damage repair quote, Check a towing quote, Check an oil change quote

Federal Trade Commission (eCFR) — 16 CFR Part 20 - Guides for the Rebuilt, Reconditioned, and Other Used Automobile Parts Industry

• Selling a used/rebuilt part without clearly disclosing it on ads, invoices and packaging is deceptive.
• Representing a used part as new, or misrepresenting its condition, is deceptive.
• The Guides cover non-new parts such as alternators, starters, transmissions, catalytic converters and water pumps.

Cited on: Check a brake caliper replacement quote, Check a transmission repair, rebuild or replacement quote, Check an engine replacement or rebuild quote, Check a water pump replacement quote, Check an alternator replacement quote, Check a catalytic converter replacement quote, Check a starter replacement quote, Check a car AC repair quote, Check a car AC compressor replacement quote, Check a collision repair estimate

California Legislature (leginfo) — Business and Professions Code § 9884.9 (Automotive Repair Act)

• California repair dealers must give a written estimate for parts and labor.
• Any charge above the estimate needs the customer's oral or written consent; no percentage or dollar tolerance is written in this section.
• Body/collision estimates must say whether each crash part is OEM or non-OEM aftermarket.

Cited on: Brake Pad Replacement Cost, Repair or Replace Your Car?, Car Maintenance Cost Planner, Check a brake caliper replacement quote, Check a brake fluid service quote, Check a transmission repair, rebuild or replacement quote, Check a transmission fluid service quote, Check an engine replacement or rebuild quote, Check a head gasket replacement quote, Check a water pump replacement quote, Check a car radiator replacement quote, Check a timing belt replacement quote, Check a serpentine belt replacement quote, Check a spark plug replacement quote, Check a wheel alignment quote, Check an alternator replacement quote, Check a 12-volt car battery quote, Check a catalytic converter replacement quote, Check a control arm replacement quote, Check a car diagnostic quote, Check an oxygen sensor replacement quote, Check a starter replacement quote, Check a shock or strut replacement quote, Check a tire replacement quote, Check a wheel bearing replacement quote, Check a car AC repair quote, Check a car AC compressor replacement quote, Check a car AC recharge quote, Check a windshield replacement quote, Check a windshield chip repair quote, Check a car paint job quote, Check a collision repair estimate, Check a hail damage repair quote, Check a towing quote, Check an oil change quote

Florida Legislature (Online Sunshine) — Florida Statutes § 559.905 Written motor vehicle repair estimate and disclosure statement required

• Florida requires a written estimate when repair work will exceed $150.
• The estimate form must let the customer choose to have replaced parts saved.

Cited on: Brake Pad Replacement Cost, Repair or Replace Your Car?, Car Maintenance Cost Planner, Check a brake caliper replacement quote, Check a brake fluid service quote, Check a transmission repair, rebuild or replacement quote, Check a transmission fluid service quote, Check an engine replacement or rebuild quote, Check a head gasket replacement quote, Check a water pump replacement quote, Check a car radiator replacement quote, Check a timing belt replacement quote, Check a serpentine belt replacement quote, Check a spark plug replacement quote, Check a wheel alignment quote, Check an alternator replacement quote, Check a 12-volt car battery quote, Check a catalytic converter replacement quote, Check a control arm replacement quote, Check a car diagnostic quote, Check an oxygen sensor replacement quote, Check a starter replacement quote, Check a shock or strut replacement quote, Check a tire replacement quote, Check a wheel bearing replacement quote, Check a car AC repair quote, Check a car AC compressor replacement quote, Check a car AC recharge quote, Check a windshield replacement quote, Check a windshield chip repair quote, Check a car paint job quote, Check a collision repair estimate, Check a hail damage repair quote, Check a towing quote, Check an oil change quote

Florida Legislature (Online Sunshine) — Florida Statutes § 559.909 Notification of charges in excess of repair estimate

• Florida shops may not exceed the estimate by more than $10 or 10% (greater), capped at $50, without authorization.
• If requested at authorization, the customer may inspect removed parts.

Cited on: Brake Pad Replacement Cost, Repair or Replace Your Car?, Car Maintenance Cost Planner, Check a brake caliper replacement quote, Check a brake fluid service quote, Check a transmission repair, rebuild or replacement quote, Check a transmission fluid service quote, Check an engine replacement or rebuild quote, Check a head gasket replacement quote, Check a water pump replacement quote, Check a car radiator replacement quote, Check a timing belt replacement quote, Check a serpentine belt replacement quote, Check a spark plug replacement quote, Check a wheel alignment quote, Check an alternator replacement quote, Check a 12-volt car battery quote, Check a catalytic converter replacement quote, Check a control arm replacement quote, Check a car diagnostic quote, Check an oxygen sensor replacement quote, Check a starter replacement quote, Check a shock or strut replacement quote, Check a tire replacement quote, Check a wheel bearing replacement quote, Check a car AC repair quote, Check a car AC compressor replacement quote, Check a car AC recharge quote, Check a windshield replacement quote, Check a windshield chip repair quote, Check a car paint job quote, Check a collision repair estimate, Check a hail damage repair quote, Check a towing quote, Check an oil change quote

Michigan Legislature — MCL 257.1332 (Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Act, Sec. 32)

• Michigan requires an itemized written estimate before repair work begins.
• Without a waiver, an overrun of up to 10% or $50 (lesser) needs no new consent unless the customer asked.

Cited on: Brake Pad Replacement Cost, Repair or Replace Your Car?, Car Maintenance Cost Planner, Check a brake caliper replacement quote, Check a brake fluid service quote, Check a transmission repair, rebuild or replacement quote, Check a transmission fluid service quote, Check an engine replacement or rebuild quote, Check a head gasket replacement quote, Check a water pump replacement quote, Check a car radiator replacement quote, Check a timing belt replacement quote, Check a serpentine belt replacement quote, Check a spark plug replacement quote, Check a wheel alignment quote, Check an alternator replacement quote, Check a 12-volt car battery quote, Check a catalytic converter replacement quote, Check a control arm replacement quote, Check a car diagnostic quote, Check an oxygen sensor replacement quote, Check a starter replacement quote, Check a shock or strut replacement quote, Check a tire replacement quote, Check a wheel bearing replacement quote, Check a car AC repair quote, Check a car AC compressor replacement quote, Check a car AC recharge quote, Check a windshield replacement quote, Check a windshield chip repair quote, Check a car paint job quote, Check a collision repair estimate, Check a hail damage repair quote, Check a towing quote, Check an oil change quote

US Congress (govinfo, U.S. Code 2023 ed.) — 42 U.S.C. § 7541 Compliance by vehicles and engines in actual use (warranty)

• Federal emission warranty for MY1995+ light-duty vehicles: 2 years/24,000 miles generally.
• Specified major emission components carry 8 years/80,000 miles.
• Those components are the catalytic converter, the electronic emissions control unit and the onboard diagnostic device.

Cited on: Check a catalytic converter replacement quote, Check an oxygen sensor replacement quote

California Air Resources Board — California Vehicle and Emissions Warranty Periods (fact sheet)

• California: high-cost emission parts listed in the owner's manual are covered 7 years/70,000 miles.
• California defects and performance warranty on all emission parts: 3 years/50,000 miles.

Cited on: Check a catalytic converter replacement quote, Check an oxygen sensor replacement quote

California Air Resources Board — New Aftermarket Catalytic Converters - Questions and Answers (PDF)

• In California, new aftermarket converters sold/installed from Jan 1, 2009 must be ARB-exempted.
• Used converters may not be sold or installed on California vehicles after July 10, 2008.

Cited on: Check a catalytic converter replacement quote

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment — Aftermarket catalytic converters

• Since Jan 1, 2021, Colorado requires OEM or CARB-certified aftermarket converters for any model year.

Cited on: Check a catalytic converter replacement quote

Maine Department of Environmental Protection — Catalytic Converter Standards

• Since June 1, 2018, Maine allows only CARB-certified aftermarket or OE converters on CARB vehicles MY2001+.

Cited on: Check a catalytic converter replacement quote

US EPA — Enforcement Discretion for California-approved Aftermarket Catalytic Converters for Vehicles with On-board Diagnostic Systems

• EPA allows California-approved aftermarket converters to be sold and installed in federal areas.

Cited on: Check a catalytic converter replacement quote

US EPA (archived snapshot) — Sale and Use of Aftermarket Catalytic Converters (Federal Register Vol. 51 No. 150, Aug. 5)

• Under the federal policy, aftermarket converter replacement is tied to a documented legitimate need.

Partially verified: Scanned PDF with poor OCR; only this phrase could be read reliably. The EPA snapshot page title says 'August 5, 1988' while Vol. 51 is 1986 - verify the year before citing.

Kept for reference; not cited on a page yet.

US EPA — Section 609 Technician Training and Certification Programs

• Anyone paid to service a vehicle A/C must be Section 609 certified through an EPA-approved program.

Cited on: Check a car radiator replacement quote, Check a car AC repair quote, Check a car AC compressor replacement quote, Check a car AC recharge quote

US EPA — Regulatory Requirements for MVAC System Servicing

• Intentionally venting refrigerant while servicing vehicle A/C is prohibited.
• New light-duty vehicles from MY2025 must use refrigerant with GWP under 150; existing HFC-134a cars can still be serviced with it.

Cited on: Check a car radiator replacement quote, Check a car AC repair quote, Check a car AC recharge quote

US EPA — Acceptable Refrigerants and their Impacts (MVAC)

• All new U.S. vehicles with A/C used HFC-134a by model year 1995.
• HFO-1234yf is used in most light-duty vehicles today.
• Servicing existing HFC-134a vehicles with HFC-134a remains allowed.

Cited on: Check a car AC repair quote, Check a car AC recharge quote

US EPA (eCFR) — 40 CFR 82.154 Prohibitions (sales restriction; self-sealing valves)

• Small DIY cans (2 lb or less) of non-exempt substitute MVAC refrigerant must have a self-sealing valve.

Cited on: Check a car AC recharge quote

NHTSA (eCFR) — 49 CFR 571.138 Standard No. 138; Tire pressure monitoring systems

• All covered vehicles built on or after Sept 1, 2007 must comply with the TPMS standard.

Cited on: Check a tire replacement quote

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Tire Safety Ratings and Awareness | TireWise

• TPMS is required on passenger cars, light trucks and vans from model year 2008.
• The last four TIN digits give the week and year of manufacture.
• NHTSA sets no age limit; it reports some makers recommend replacement at six to 10 years.
• NHTSA says tires should be replaced at 2/32 inch of tread.

Cited on: Check a tire replacement quote

NHTSA (eCFR) — 49 CFR 571.116 Standard No. 116; Motor vehicle brake fluids

• FMVSS 116 sets requirements for hydraulic brake fluids, containers and labeling.
• The standard covers DOT 3, DOT 4 and DOT 5 performance requirements.
• DOT 3, 4 and 5.1 non-silicone fluids are colorless to amber; DOT 5 silicone is purple.

Cited on: Check a brake fluid service quote

AAA (American Automobile Association) — Fixing Advanced Vehicle Systems Makes Up Over One-Third of Repair Costs Following a Crash

• AAA found ADAS adds up to 37.6% to total repair cost after a crash.
• ADAS-related windshield replacement cost averaged $360, 25.4% of the repair.
• Minor front collision ADAS parts averaged $1,540, 13.2% of the repair.

Cited on: Check a windshield replacement quote, Check a collision repair estimate

California Senate Judiciary Committee — SB 988 (Grayson) California Motor Vehicle Glass Act - committee analysis, hearing April 14, 2026

• Official legislative analysis: ADAS must be properly calibrated when a windshield is replaced.

Cited on: Check a windshield replacement quote

Florida Legislature (Online Sunshine) — Florida Statutes § 627.7288 Comprehensive coverage; deductible not to apply to motor vehicle glass

• In Florida, the comprehensive deductible does not apply to windshield damage.

Cited on: Check a windshield replacement quote, Check a windshield chip repair quote

Kentucky Legislature — KRS 304.20-060 Coverage for motor vehicle glass

• Kentucky comprehensive glass-only claims are covered without deductible.
• Kentucky law defines glass replacement work to include ADAS calibration when glass is replaced.

Cited on: Check a windshield replacement quote, Check a windshield chip repair quote

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Driver Assistance Technologies

• Lane departure warning uses a camera to detect lane drift.

Partially verified: Page does NOT mention calibration after windshield replacement; no NHTSA calibration statement found.

Cited on: Check a windshield replacement quote

South Carolina Legislature — S.C. Code § 38-77-280 Collision coverage; comprehensive coverage

• In South Carolina, physical damage deductibles do not apply to automobile safety glass.

Cited on: Check a windshield replacement quote, Check a windshield chip repair quote

California Legislature (leginfo) — Insurance Code § 758.5

• California insurers may not require repair at a specific shop.
• After the claimant chooses a shop, the insurer may not suggest a different one (with exceptions).

Cited on: Check a car paint job quote, Check a collision repair estimate, Check a hail damage repair quote

Florida Legislature (Online Sunshine) — Florida Statutes § 501.33 Disclosure (aftermarket crash parts)

• Florida estimates using non-OEM aftermarket crash parts must identify each such part and carry a disclosure.

Cited on: Check a collision repair estimate, Check a hail damage repair quote

Minnesota Revisor of Statutes — Minn. Stat. § 325E.1151 Lead acid battery purchase and return

• Minnesota buyers must return a battery or pay a surcharge of at least $10.
• The surcharge is refunded if a battery is returned with receipt within 30 days.

Cited on: Check a 12-volt car battery quote

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation — Lead-Acid Batteries

• New York retailers charge a $5 return incentive if no used battery is returned.
• The $5 is refunded if a used battery is returned within 30 days.

Cited on: Check a 12-volt car battery quote

Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation — Towing consumer information

• Texas statewide maximum private property (non-consent) tow: $272 up to 10,000 lbs.
• These are statewide maximums; cities or counties may set lower rates.
• If the car is hooked but not yet moved, a drop fee up to $135 applies (10,000 lbs or less).

Cited on: Check a towing quote

Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation — Changes to Private Property Towing Fees (Oct 21, 2021)

• The fee caps are set in 16 TAC § 86.455, amended Oct 5, 2021, effective Nov 1, 2021.

Partially verified: Rule text of 16 TAC 86.455 itself NOT read: Texas SOS TAC viewer has moved to a JS portal; LII mirror not used as primary. Current amounts confirmed only via TDLR consumer page.

Cited on: Check a towing quote

US Bureau of Labor Statistics — CPI-U Table 2, by detailed expenditure category, August 2026

• BLS CPI Table 2 for August 2026 lists motor vehicle maintenance and repair at +5.2% over 12 months.

Kept for reference; not cited on a page yet.

AAA (American Automobile Association) — Your Driving Costs 2026 fact sheet

• AAA 2026: maintenance, repair and tires cost 11.7 cents per mile for a new car.
• AAA 2026 average cost to own and operate a new car is $12,863 a year.

Kept for reference; not cited on a page yet.

CCC Intelligent Solutions — CCC Crash Course 2026 Report Finds Higher Severity and Record Total Loss Frequency

• Total loss frequency reached 23.1% of claims in the 2026 report.
• 28.3% of repairable estimates include calibrations.

Partially verified: Average repairable claim cost NOT publicly stated in the release or the public report page read; do not cite a severity dollar figure.

Cited on: Check a collision repair estimate

CarMD (via PR Newswire) — CarMD Reports Record Check Engine Repair Costs in 2025 (2026 Vehicle Health Index)

• CarMD's 2026 index puts the average check-engine repair at $554 in 2025, up 33%.
• Catalytic converter tops the 2025 list at $1,511.
• Sample: repairs for more than 39 million U.S. vehicles, calendar 2025, OBD2 data.

Cited on: Check a spark plug replacement quote, Check a catalytic converter replacement quote, Check an oxygen sensor replacement quote