Car repairs can end up being exorbitantly expensive. You must pay for both your parts and the labor as well. But many minor repairs or maintenance chores can be done by you and save you money. You will be able to after following the tips here.

Be sure and regularly check your radiator. Run your engine for several minutes, and then turn it off and pop your hood. Never open the radiator while the car is on. Use a dipstick to check the amount of fluid in the radiator. You should also make sure to mix coolant fluid with water before you pour it into your radiator.

Ensure the mechanic you use has an ASE certification before allowing them to operate on your vehicle. This shows that a mechanic has passed a special test for competence and also shows he or she has at least two years experience as a mechanic. This type of mechanic is the best choice for your vehicle.

There are certain repairs that you can do yourself. You can do a number of things on your own if you know how to. Try troubleshooting the issue on the Internet or talk to your friends to see if they have an idea of what could be wrong with your vehicle. If it’s a quick repair to make, you can save yourself some cash by doing it yourself.

Your car should be washed regularly so that rust doesn’t become a problem. Cars eventually rust, but you can put off the process by washing off chemicals or salt quickly. Wax your car often to protect the paint, as often as you can.

When choosing a mechanic, ask if they’ve worked on your model of car before. If the mechanic says they have, then they are likely aware of just what repairs need to performed in order to have your car operating well again.

Ask for referrals to find a great mechanic. Get recommendations from family and friends. Ask about the quality of the work, what it cost and what perks were offered. Avoid the mechanics who overcharged your friends or were not honest with them.

Ask for Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts. These parts are issued by the manufacturer of your vehicle. 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. It may cost you more in the end to use generic parts even though you save money now.

Read online reviews of local body shops. These reviews will inform you of the company’s quality, customer service satisfaction rates, etc. This information is useful as you search for the right shop for your needs.

You should always keep a jack and a spare tire with you at all times. New cars often come with a kit you can use to change a tire. You will have to spend a lot to get your car towed if you cannot change the tire right away. It will be quicker and less costly when you do it yourself.

Keep a DIY tool kit in your trunk. You should definitely have the tools necessary to change a tire, if you need to. A car jack and a lug wrench are essential tools to have. You should probably get a few screwdrivers with various shapes as well as different wrenches like for this kit. Cheap tools are not worth your money. Invest in high-quality tools that you will own forever.

Your car should always have a spare tire and jack. Many new cars have these. They are extremely helpful if your car experiences a problem while you are out on the road and you don’t want to call a tow truck. It is cheaper and easier when you do it on your own.

If you have to have a big repair done, get multiple estimates. If you don’t, you might be paying for more work than you actually need. Look for mechanics that know the ins and outs of your car. There’s a good chance that these shops will know how to repair your car.

Replace your light bulbs on your own. Doing so is easier in some cars than others, but it is still cheaper than paying a mechanic to make the replacement. See if you can get instructions from someone you trust.

Never forget about your wiper blades. If you don’t have wipers that work well or streak your windows, you need to purchase newer ones. Wiper blades should at least be changed yearly, and sometimes you need to do this more often.

Wiper Blades

Keep up with your wiper blades. If your windshield wipers aren’t performing up to par, it may be time for new ones. Wiper blades should be replaced at a minimum of once per year, or more than that if you reside in a particularly wet climate.

Take all those fun and fluffy keychains off, or make it possible to remove your car key from the bunch. The ignition is not suited to that weight, even when you think it isn’t much. The last thing that you want is your key to stick, so try to reduce weight immediately.

Cute keychains are fun, but they are not healthy for your car. Ignitions are not meant to hold so much weight. If your key begins sticking, the tumblers need replacing.

Warning Lights

Make sure that you remind yourself of how often your oil needs to be changed. It is essential to have your oil changed so that your engine runs properly and and works at its peak performance. Running old oil in the car could cause it to run badly so make sure you make the pertinent dates on your calendar.

Keep an eye on all of the warning lights on your dashboard and know what they mean. Your dashboard lights warn you of potential problems. Ignoring these warning lights will not make the problem go away.

It is just as important to get your car washed in winter as it is in summer. Winter can be the most damage causing time of the year for your car. Sand and salt can cause rust and abrasions. If you take the time to dry the vehicle well before hitting the road again, you can stop icing from occurring.

Your tire pressure should be checked when purchase some gas. Look at the tires and make sure that they there is nothing embedded in them. If there appears to be a problem, have it checked out as soon as possible. Driving on the highway with corrupt tires can be very dangerous.

Every car needs repairs some time. This does not mean you always need to hire a mechanic to get the work done. You can do the repairs yourself and save the money. The tips will assist you, so give it a try.