Fixing your car can prove quite costly. As if the cost of parts weren’t enough, labor costs can be astronomical. Do you want to learn some new skills and save some money? You will be able to after following the tips here.

Prior to letting a mechanic touch your vehicle, ensure that they are A.S.E certified. Being A.S.E. certified ensures you that your mechanic has proper training and experience. This is a good way of finding a qualified mechanic who will care about doing a good job so they can keep their certification.

Be sure that you have an A.S.E. certified mechanic before they are allowed to work on your vehicle. This type of certification means two years experience and also a passed written test. You will then know that you are dealing with a trained professional.

An emergency kit is a must for your car. It should have tire changing tools, a battery charger and tools to top up your gas tank. Also pack a few blankets, some batteries, and a good flashlight.

As the mechanic whether they’ve worked on your make and model before. 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.

Regularly check your radiator. Run your car, turn it off then pop the hood. Never open the radiator on a running car. With a dipstick, check your radiator fluid. Before adding more coolant remember to mix it with water.

A good referral makes it much easier to locate a trustworthy mechanic. You can ask anyone you trust, from your hairdresser to your family. Ask them how good the work was, how much they were charged, and if they were satisfied. You can learn first-hand experiences about the honesty and skill of the mechanic.

Record each repair that you have done on your car. If the car has other issues later, it can help the tech see its past records. These records will make identifying issues much easier to diagnose and will save you time and money.

If you have issues with your car, you can fix it yourself. You can do a number of things on your own if you know how to. If you are game, then check online to research the problem. If the job is not complicated, make the repairs yourself to save money.

When taking your car to the mechanic for repairs, never leave valuables in the car. If something is missing, it will be your fault if you do not take it out. Remove everything from your trunk too.

Check with your mechanic to see of they have experience working with the make of your vehicle. Basic components are usually the same, but there are big differences in different types of cars. If you don’t know, make sure you go to the dealer and pay them the extra money.

A great way to get a good mechanic is by asking around. Ask the people you know and trust who they take their vehicles to. You can gain information about prices and level of quality. People can tell you what type of experience they had and whether the mechanic was honest or not.

Your car should always have a spare tire and jack. Newer cars almost always have them. You will have to spend a lot to get your car towed if you cannot change the tire right away. It is a whole lot easier and cheaper if you do it yourself.

When your headlights or taillights burn out, you can save a lot of money on repairs if you do it yourself. While it’s easier in some vehicles than others, it’s a whole lot cheaper to do it yourself. See if you can get instructions from someone you trust.

Keep all of your car records handy. Some people keep this paperwork in the glove compartment of their car so it is readily available, if needed. Professional mechanics will ask to review the records. This will allow them to figure out what the issues are quickly.

Never neglect your windshield wiper blades. You need new windshield wipers if they are making noises or leaving streaks. You should replace them yearly, but you may need to do it twice a year if you are located in a rainy area.

Eventually, almost every single car will need repairs. That is not to say that you must have a mechanic perform the work. You can keep the money you would have given to the mechanic and perform your own repairs. Use the tips here to determine when you can fix your car yourself, or whether or not you should call a mechanic.

Don’t get stuck with a mechanic who will make repairs on your vehicle that are not necessary. They should contact you before doing any extra work. Don’t return to mechanics that do unnecessary repairs.