When you have car problems, you should get your car fixed quickly. You can’t get to where you need to go is you car is not running properly. You don’t always need to pay huge amounts of money for repairs. You can do many simple repairs yourself.
When bringing your car to a mechanic, tell them you want OEM parts. OEM parts are parts that are made by the manufacturer. It can cost a lot less to use parts that are generic, but you won’t get the most out of these things after a while. What saves you a bit of money in the short term, may end up costing you dearly in the long term.
Get a reliable battery charger and be sure it is always in your car. Dead batteries are a common problem, and you should always have a charger or cables on you at all times. Find out where to connect the charger to your car.
Headlights will sometimes dim over time, but often is just a matter of cleaning them off regularly. Sometimes, dirt from the road transfers over to your lights dim them. Wash them with glass cleaner and you should be able to see better.
Know what your dashboard warning lights mean, and keep an eye on them. These lights give you a good indication of when your vehicle needs some maintenance. Ignoring those for a long time can worsen issues later.
You absolutely need a good emergency kit inside your vehicle. Be sure the kit has tools for charging the battery, adding gas to the tank, and changing tires. In the event that your car were to break down in the middle of the night on a deserted road, bring blankets, batteries, and a flashlight.
Check your tire pressure every time you fill up your gas tank. Look over your tires to be sure nothing has become embedded in them. If you notice problems, resolve them immediately. It’s dangerous to drive on faulty tires.
Take pictures of your car prior to having it serviced. Most auto shops are totally reputable, but there’s always an exception that may consider stripping some things from your car. You should make sure you keep track of the way your vehicle is looking just in case something like this were to happen.
Regularly check your radiator. Let the car run a while, shut off the engine and then pop the hood. Do not lift the radiator lid when the engine is running or if it is too hot. Use a dipstick to check the fluid levels, and always add the correct amount of water to your coolant before adding it to your tank.
Warranties really come in handy when you need to replace parts. Ask the mechanic beforehand what the warranty will be for any part, but especially the expensive ones. See how long that warranty lasts and get a printed copy of that contract to review it.
There are a lot of body shops that will put older tires on your car. They prey on the ignorant, those who don’t pay much attention to their car. Prior to entering, mark your tires with chalk. If you do not see the chalk when you return, you have been victimized.
You must wash your car to keep the rust away. All cars are going to rust, so make sure that you wash your vehicle at least once a month. Wax is also important.
Problems seem to crop up only when the car is left with a mechanic. This is usually done to bargain you down and make you feel like they are giving you a deal. Tell them you have to think about it before accepting the deal.
Bleed your brakes after you’ve worked on them and before you take your car out on the road. After the bleeding process, make sure the brake fluid is pumped. Test for leaks to be sure the fluid won’t run out. After this, you can test your car in light traffic. Drive slowly at first so that you can ensure your repairs have been performed correctly.
There is no better way to find an auto mechanic than to get a referral. Get recommendations from family and friends. They will be able to give you a heads up about satisfaction, quality and price. You can find out about the experience with a mechanic and if they can be trusted or not.
Original Equipment Manufacturer is often referred to as OEM. Know this if you’re taking a vehicle in to get repairs done to it. If you ask for OEM parts, it will look like you know what you’re talking about. It is not as likely that a technician will attempt to put used parts upon your automobile.
As you can see, fixing your car does not have to require taking your car to the shop and paying an arm and a leg to the mechanic. You just need to know when to DIY or get professional help. Apply the tips from this article and spend more time maintaining your vehicle to prevent issues.
Always keep a record of any maintenance done to your car. If you have problems later, it may help the mechanic to see these notes. Without them, you may end up paying for more diagnostic tests, and it will be more difficult to learn where the issue is stemming from.