Working on your own car is a source of pride for many people, and having a friend make repairs may be a way to save money, but certified mechanics still lead the way in knowledge and one other intangible:

A guarantee.

"Sometimes it costs a little more (to go to a certified mechanic), but as the adage says, you get what you pay for," said Joel Smiglewski, who is the service manager for Mikan Motors in Butler.

The work of Mikan's five certified mechanics is backed by a one-year, 12,000-mile warranty on parts and labor.

"You get a little more sense of security because we as a dealership are held to a much higher standard of work," Smiglewski said.

Before a mechanic is even hired in most dealerships or garages, he must be ASEcertified.

The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence issues certifications contingent upon students passing at least one specialty test and documenting two years of relevant work experience.

But continuing education is a must. To maintain certification, those with ASE credentials must be retested every five years. Dealerships impose specialized training as well.

"Probably, in an average year, we will spend $30,000 training our five guys. They are doing an air bag course next week," Smiglewski said.

Mikan Motors mechanics receive two to three weeks of training upon their hiring at the Volkswagen repair schools in Columbus, Ohio, or Jessop, Md., as well as Pontiac's training program in Cranberry Township.

"That's why no one is going to know your vehicle better than the manufacturer's dealership," Smiglewski said.

This kind of training also occurs at Honda dealerships.

In addition to spending two weeks upon hiring at Honda training centers in New Jersey or Troy, Ohio, the six certified mechanics at Honda North in Connoquenessing Township must pass up to 40 vehicle-specific online tests provided by Honda, said Scott McClelland, Honda North's service manager.

McClelland said Honda North services foreign and American-made vehicles, but "the foreign cars seem so much more ahead of the game, technologically."

However, all car makers continue to create more advanced computer systems and hybrid vehicles, and repairs to many problems now demand a professional's hands.

"Independent mechanics cannot safely work on the hybrids. Dealership mechanics have the latest tools and equipment to diagnose and fix problems accurately," he said.

Smiglewski said, "There are a lot of times now where you do not replace something on a car, you reprogram it.

"A lot of jobs require a manufacturer-specific tool. You can 'cheat' it sometimes, but it's not usually safe."

Bob Banaszak, service manager for Cranberry Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge on Route 19, said all service technicians beginning this year are required to be certified through the Chrysler certification program.

The Chrysler Certified Technicians receive a multitude of training with categories ranging from brakes to air conditioning systems.

Technicians also receive yearly updates to stay at their certification level.

Technicians are trained at Chrysler training centers across the United States. Locally, workers get their training in Sewickley, Allegheny County, said Banaszak.

Banaszak said, "The biggest difference with Chrysler certification is that the technicians work on the Chrysler product on a daily basis. They then begin to see the same cars having the same types of problems. It helps them diagnose problems more quickly."

Cranberry Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge has six certified technicians, including one Chrysler-certified master technician, who has additional certifications in the traditional technician certification program through ASE.

Loren Mosholder, fixed operations manager for Northland Ford in Zelienople and Cranberry Lincoln/Mercury in Cranberry Township, said Ford technicians must not only be Ford certified, but ASE certified.

Northland Ford has 14 certified technicians, while the Northland Lincoln/Mercury dealership has eight technicians.

For Ford certification, technicians take Web-based training for the first level of schooling, which includes multiple classes.

The next level of training, technicians go to a Ford certified training center. Technicians here usually go to one of three centers in Bridgeville; Buffalo, N.Y.; or Cleveland for training on their way to master certification, which requires several years.

A master technician is a specialist with a certain mechanical function of the car such as transmissions, diesel engines, brakes, air conditioning or other areas, said Mosholder.

"As a Ford factory-trained technician, he/she is trained for your Ford vehicle. They have the knowledge and expertise," said Mosholder. "The aftermarket guys — guys that work on all models and makes — with all the constant changes (in cars), I don't know how they can keep up."