If you own a car, you understand how often car trouble can occur. If you take the time to learn a little more, you can save a lot of money and unneeded stress. Use these helpful auto repair tips. When you have a problem, you’ll be better equipped to solve it.
Find an ASE certified mechanic if you need some repairs. That means the technician has more than two years of experience and passed a test. This means you will have an expert working on your car.
It is important for your car to have an emergency kit. This kit should have the tools to change your tires in the case of an accident. It is also wise to include a flashlight, some fresh batteries and a blanket in case your vehicle breaks down in cold weather or at night.
Monitor your radiator. Keep your car running then shut the engine for several minutes before opening the hood. Never open the radiator on a running car. Check the amount of fluid in your radiator with your dipstick and remember to mix the coolant with some water.
It is important that you fully understand what all the charges will be upfront, before handing the mechanic your car keys. If a certain cost confuses you, don’t hesitate to clear this up with the mechanic before allowing him or her to make repairs to your vehicle. Being hit with additional fees is something that you don’t want to be surprised with.
If there are two tools all cars should have, it is a jack and lug-nut wrench. With that, you also need an extra tire. Many cars will come with these straight off of the dealership’s floor. You do not want to stuck in the middle of nowhere and have to pay a ton of money for a tow. It’s far more convenient and less costly to take care of it yourself.
If you’re having serious repairs done on your vehicle, make sure to get multiple estimates. Most shops are on the up and up, but some will charge you for things that aren’t necessary. Look around for reputable shops that specialize in your car’s make. These shops are more likely to understand how to perform the repairs your car needs.
Learn to change your taillights and headlights. While it’s easier in some vehicles than others, it’s a whole lot cheaper to do it yourself. Find out if anyone in your family can do it and could pass along their knowledge to you.
Keep up with your wiper blades. If your wipers don’t do a good job, you need to replace them. They should be replaced yearly or more frequently if you drive in a rainy locale.
You should know and pay attention to your dashboard’s warning lights. These lights can let you know when something is wrong with your car. When you ignore them, you’ll pay for it.
Keep in mind that it’s not always safe to do some auto repairs. Always have a buddy to help you. Buying tools that are higher quality is worth it. Tire changing equipment definitely needs to be high grade. The jack you buy needs to support your vehicle well. This is why you should get a high quality hydraulic jack with stands.
Take photos of your vehicle prior to bringing it into any shop. Most auto shops are totally reputable, but there’s always an exception that may consider stripping some things from your car. You need to be able to document the original damages done to your vehicle in case your mechanic fails to fix them or makes things worse.
If you feel that your car has even the smallest of problems, it is smart to get it checked right away. Sometimes when there are small issues with your vehicle, ignoring them will only lead to the problem becoming much larger as time goes on.
OEM is something that means Original Equipment Manufacturer. When having replacement parts installed on your vehicle, you might want keep this information in mind. If you tell your mechanic that you wish to have OEM components, you’ll sound like you know a bit about auto repair. This could very well prevent someone from outfitting your car with old parts.
Take some time before you make your decision on your auto repair. This will allow you to call around and see how much other people would charge to fix a problem similar to yours. If you find something less expensive, pay them for their labor, but take your car somewhere else.
After you pay the mechanic to replace older parts with newer ones, have them return the older parts to you. If he refuses, that may be because no part was ever replaced at all. This is a red flag that should be raised.
If the mechanic hems and haws about giving you firm estimate, you may want to find someone else. If the final bill is much higher than the quote, it will be hard time to prove that the mechanic swindled you if you do not have a a written quote.
When you’re speaking to mechanics you should ask them questions. In addition to asking about price, ask about everything regarding this repair. How long are the repairs going to take? Ask about the kind of work done to your vehicle. How much will it cost you? Ask them anything and everything that you can think of. Your basic knowledge skills will shine through, and this could be important if the issue strikes again.
Modern vehicles are equipped to all kinds of warning lights and sensors that can tell you when there are problems. Don’t make this your sole source of information though, take the time to be aware of any issues that are occuring. Keep in mind that the sensors can become damaged or that the light can stop working. Check your vehicle manually every couple of months to make sure everything is functioning.
Car repairs and problems can be annoying and frustrating. They can also be very expensive too. However, when you know what you’re doing, you are better equipped to handle auto repairs. Apply what you’ve learned here, and make smart auto repair decisions.