Your car is something that costs you quite a bit of money and time if you don’t know what it takes to care for it. You should learn about the specificities of the model you own, as well as other things. Read the following article to help you save both time and money.
Ensure the mechanic you use has an ASE certification before allowing them to operate on your vehicle. An ASE certification means your mechanic has a minimum of two years’ experience in auto repairs. This certification also requires that he or she passes a written test. That means only the best will work on your car.
Make sure the repair shop technician is familiar with the particular model of your vehicle. If they are able to say they’ve done work on a vehicle similar to yours, then they’re probably aware of what kind of work is necessary to fix yours.
An emergency kit is a must for your car. Assemble a kit that has tools for changing tires, charging the battery and putting more gas in the car. For night time breakdowns, make sure to include warm blankets and a flashlight with extra batteries.
Every time your car is repaired, no matter why it is, keep a record of the repair. Having detailed records will be useful if you need to perform more repairs on your vehicle. No records means a blank slate to go on.
Keep your car clean to prevent rust. All cars eventually succumb to rust, however you can delay this process by washing all salt and chemicals from your car immediately. Wax the paint job to protect it.
Auto Repair
Research any auto repair service station online. This will let you know how others feel about the services they provide. This information can be used to locate an auto repair shop that you feel is well suited to your needs.
You need your records available at all times. Some people keep this paperwork in the glove compartment of their car so it is readily available, if needed. Auto repair professionals likely will want to see those records. Good documentation can help diagnose problems a lot faster.
Don’t leave valuables in your car while you’re having it repaired. The mechanic may need to remove these items in order to do their job, and they are not responsible if you find out later that something is missing. Empty both the trunk and glove compartment.
Watch out for obvious warning signs that a repair person is not up to snuff. If they beat around the bush and act shifty, they may not be the one you want to work with. Find a mechanic who seems trustworthy and knows how to answer all your questions.
Before paying an auto repair shop for work done to your car, take it for a test drive to see if it is working properly. People often don’t do this, realizing afterward that the problem still persists.
Wiper Blades
Never neglect your windshield wiper blades. If your wipers are not doing a good job or often streak or chatter, you need new ones. Wiper blades need to be replaced once every year or possibly more often depending on the where you live.
Don’t leave valuables in your car while you’re having it repaired. These items may need to be removed anyway, and they aren’t responsible for lost or missing items. You should also remove all the items from your trunk.
Before taking your car to a repair shop, take pictures of the areas that need to be fixed. Most shops won’t damage your vehicle, but you never know. To keep from having this horrible experience, make sure you document all area of your vehicle by taking clear and dated pictures.
When you have a problem with your car that seems to be a minor issue, more times than not, it’s a wise choice to get it checked out by a professional. A seemingly small problem may grow into a major one if don’t pay attention to it.
If your headlights look dimmer than they used to, be sure they’re clean. Your headlights will get covered in greasy residues if you do not clean them regularly. A good quality glass cleaner will help to clean them right up.
You don’t want to diagnose complex auto issues on your own. Remember, you are not an expert! A minor issue can spiral into a huge dilemma. You can tell them your opinion, but leave the diagnosing of problems to the experts. Give them every detail about what happened and if there were any sounds associated with the problem, and let them diagnose the trouble.
Some shops steal your tires and use old tires to replace them! They profit from your oblivion. Put chalk marks on the tires prior to bringing the car in. If the chalk isn’t present when you get the car, you’ve been had.
When visiting a repair shop, be mindful of warning signs that the shop is not a good one. If you have trouble getting a straight answer out of them, (or if, even worse, they refuse to answer questions to your satisfaction) they probably aren’t the kind of people you want to work with. It is important to have full confidence in the competence of your mechanic. If you don’t, then move on to a better choice.
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 don’t have to pay quite as much if you just let some students do some work on your vehicle while a mechanic looks on.
Lookout for claims that are too good to be true. This is simply a tactic they use to get your money. For instance, certain cars have transmission fluid that is claimed to last a lifetime. Although this type of fluid doesn’t require changing very often, it should still be changed about every 80,000 miles. Therefore, the lifetime claim is false.
Assemble an auto repair kit and put it inside of your trunk. You will want to have the tools necessary to change a tire, and they likely came with the vehicle. Buy a jack if your car does not already have one equipped. Your tool kit should contain these items: socket wrenches, ratcheting tools, a wrench for torque and one that is adjustable, and both a Phillips and a flat head screwdriver as well. Never buy cheap tools. If you buy high quality tools, they will not break when you really need them.
Original Equipment Manufacturer is often referred to as OEM. This is good to know whenever your car or truck requires new parts. If you ask for OEM parts, it will look like you know what you’re talking about. This will make it less likely that the mechanic will attempt to install parts that have been previously used.
Talk to the manufacturer when there are extreme issues with your automobile. There may be something wrong with the car model that will necessitate a recall. Generally, a manufacturer will bear the cost of your repair.
If your taillights or headlights burn out, you will save a ton of money. Doing so is easier in some cars than others, but it is still cheaper than paying a mechanic to make the replacement. Ask someone you know if they can instruct you on how to do it.
If you are happy with the work done at a particular repair shop, be a loyal customer. Developing a camaraderie will ensure that the mechanic does his best work. Loyal customers may also get discounts.
If you are going to store your car for a long period of time, you’ll save yourself the need of future repairs by placing it on a jack stand and making sure the tank is full. Take off the parking brake and only store it in a dry location.
Get rid of any unnecessary key-chains that are attached to your car keys. Too many items on your keychain can weigh down your car’s ignition. If your key sticks, install new tumblers and use a lighter key chain.
As you have likely surmised, there are many benefits to learning about auto repair. Besides the fact that you’ll be able to teach people some things and know how to fix things yourself, you’ll have some extra money in the end too. Keep these tips in mind; you may even be able to do minor repairs on your own.