Auto repair can be a tricky subject. Instead, having a basis of knowledge that you can draw on about your car is vital. With your car being such an important investment, making repairs on it can be quite nerve-wracking. These tips will ensure you do the right thing when next a problem arises.

Prior to letting a mechanic touch your vehicle, ensure that they are A.S.E certified. The basis of this certification is that your mechanic has over two years of experience and they have passed appropriate testing. This means a top professional is doing your repairs.

Ask mechanics if they have worked on your particular make and model of car before contracting with them. If the answer is yes, that’s a very good thing.

Asking around for recommendations is a great opportunity to locate a mechanic you can trust. Get recommendations from family and friends. You can gain information about prices and level of quality. You’ll get a real feel for the experience and the honesty of the mechanic.

Go through your automobile’s manual and make sure to mark important pages. Any auto professional with a good reputation will need to know all he can about your car. Sometimes you may find things that you can easily fix yourself and do not require a trip to the dealership.

Look up your local body shop’s reviews online. This gives you an idea regarding the public’s view of the particular service and lets you know who and where you should avoid. This information is useful as you search for the right shop for your needs.

Test your car out after a repair has been done by a mechanic. Make sure it is operating correctly before full payment is made. Lots of people skip this practice and they might end up not solving the issue they initially came in for.

Be mindful whether additional repairs recommended are really necessary. Good mechanics will tell you about worn down pieces without replacing them automatically. If a mechanic tries to charge you for unneeded repairs, find another mechanic.

If you notice your headlights do not shine as brightly as they used to, check to make sure they are clean. Sometimes a greasy residue from the road can be deposited one the lights and hold dirt that reduces the amount of light they put out. Use a quality glass cleaner to keep your lights clean.

Look into an auto repair person that uses their own personal garage. For basic repairs they can charge far less and you both can be happy. This can help the home mechanic out and save you a lot of money over the charges of bigger repair shops.

Keep your car washed during the winter. Although it may seem like a waste of time, winter weather can really damage your vehicle. Salt and sand from frozen streets can cause rust spots and other flaws. Prevent ice from forming on your car: dry it thoroughly after washing.

Understand that visiting your dealer for auto repair work is not always necessary. There are great technicians everywhere, whether you take your car to the shop ten minutes from your home or whether you go on in to your dealer. If you’re comfortable with a tech, use him or her.

Paying for expensive parts means you must get a warranty with them. Therefore, when a mechanic orders parts for your vehicle, you should ask him or her about their warranties. Choose parts that are guaranteed for a few years and do not hesitate to ask for the printed warranty contract.

If you’re not able to get your vehicle fixed because you’re tight on funds, see if you can get in contact with someone at a vocational school. You can save a lot of money by allowing students to make repairs to your car, but do not worry because these students will be supervised by a licensed mechanic.

Don’t hire the mechanic who diagnosed your car right away. Call around and get more quotes before making your decision. If you locate a better deal, and you feel like you can trust the other shop, move on.

When a mechanic fixes a part on your car, ask for evidence of the old part. If he won’t do it, he probably never replaced the parts he said he did. This is not a good sign and you should confront him about it.

Keep your mechanic receipts in a file in your glove box. With that type of file, you can organize your files by time or specific types of repairs. This way you will have all the details to hand if they are required for other mechanics down the line. This can be priceless.

If you need to put your car in storage, you can avoid having to pay for repairs by placing the car on jack stands and filling the tank. Don’t use your parking brake and be sure that it’s dry wherever you decide to store your car.

After a mechanic has performed the repairs, ask for any old parts that have been removed. You will be able to determine if a repair actually took place. This should be a necessary part of ensuring quality repairs. It is easy to tell whether or not a new exhaust has been installed.

Use rubber mats in your car during the winter so your carpet is better protected. This will help keep your car safe from things like slush and dirt. These mats can benefit your car significantly during the winter.

Now you have more of a chance to have a great experience when you’re getting a vehicle repaired. Though auto repairs are no fun, these tips can make it easier to deal with. Take the information to heart, and get your car back in working order.