Mechanics to give free car care advice

Auto mechanics will inspect cars for free at an annual fair sponsored by the Independent Garage Owners of North Carolina organization.

The free car-care fair will take place at the North Carolina State Farmers Market in Raleigh on Saturday, March 26. The fair will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Mechanics will look at vehicles for neglected maintenance items. The mechanics are employed by several Wake County auto repair shops.

Organizers said they hope the event will help motorists realize the value of preventative maintenance.

"These free vehicle inspections can disclose potential safety and operational problems, such as low brake fluid or under-inflated tires," Bobby Dunn, of Triangle Car Care in Raleigh, said in a statement.

Dunn said that nine of 10 cars that were checked at the 2010 event showed problems associated with neglect.

"The top problem areas were motor oil, windshield wipers, air filters, belts, hoses and lights," he said.