Get to know your car's electrical system

Your electrical system does more than illuminate headlights are power the stereo system.

Your electrical system is responsible for a number of components on your vehicle, including the radio, defroster, power windows and locks, headlights and many others.

Here's a quick overview of the basic components and what they do.

• Car Battery
  Your battery stores power for starting your automobile and for running auxiliary devices such as clocks, radios and alarms when the engine is off.
• Alternator
  Belt-driven by the engine, the alternator produces electricity to maintain and replenish battery charge and to help run all the electrical accessories, from electric door locks to sunroofs.
• Starter
  The single largest power user and most critical electrical system component.

Tinkering with your car's electrical system is more complicated than checking the oil, so in most cases you will want to have your car serviced by a professional for this kind of repair. Kudzu.com has a thorough list of automotive repair shops that specialize in electrical system repair.

Your car's electrical system should be checked and tested every two years or whenever you receive service for any type of driving problem.

Before you allow an auto repair shop or a dealership to begin work on your car, be sure to get a detailed estimate of all scheduled work. Make sure the auto repair shop notifies you if the total will exceed the estimate by more than 10 percent.

It's always a good idea to confirm that your repair shop is certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence.

Also, visit the Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been filed against a particular repair shop.