If your car suffers a breakdown, you need to get it running ASAP. Being stuck with a car that doesn’t work can make transportation a challenge. That said, you don’t need to shell out tons of money for fixing a car. You can save a lot of money by fixing the issue on your own.
One of the most important qualifications to look for in a mechanic is the ASE certification. Being A.S.E. certified ensures you that your mechanic has proper training and experience. This will let you know that the best possible person is working on your automobile.
Before allowing them to repair your vehicle, verify that the mechanic has A.S.E. certification. This certification guarantees that the mechanic has been tested and has more than two years of 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.
Battery Charger
It is not a waste of money to own a battery charger for your vehicle. Dead batteries happen a lot, and you can provide assistance to others if you keep a charger on hand. Learn to locate the points where you should connect the battery charger on your car.
Invest in a quality battery charger and always keep it in your car. Dead batteries happen more often than you imagine, and you can help other people if you take a battery charger along in your vehicle. Take a few minutes to learn how to use it properly before you get in a situation where you need to use it.
Do not underestimate the importance of having an emergency kit in your car. This kit should include specific tools for charging your battery, changing your tire, etc. For night time breakdowns, make sure to include warm blankets and a flashlight with extra batteries.
When choosing a mechanic, ask if they’ve worked on your model of car before. If they have worked on the same type vehicle you have, they will know which areas to check first on your car.
Monitor your radiator. Warm up your car a little, shut if back off and pop the hood. Do not lift the radiator lid when the engine is running or if it is too hot. Check the fluid in your radiator and always mix water with the coolant before adding it.
Referrals are your best best when searching for a trustworthy mechanic. Therefore, do not hesitate to ask your family and friends for their recommendations. You can learn about the quality of work, the pricing and if they were satisfied with the service. These people will be able to inform you of their experience with the mechanic.
Every time you’re going to have an automobile repaired, you have to get a record of what is done to it. If you have problems later, it may help the mechanic to see these notes. If you don’t have a record of past work, it may cost you money and make it hard for the technician to diagnose the problem.
Don’t sign anything until you know the total cost of repairs. Should you need clarification about the repairs, speak with the service manager or your mechanic before work begins. You don’t want to be hit with unexpected charges after the repairs are done.
Check online reviews for any mechanic you’re considering. This will tell you everything you need to know about the shop. Use these reviews to eliminate unreliable mechanics and make a list of mechanic you want to contact to get a quote.
Watch out for mechanics that don’t know what they’re doing. If they avoid your questions, you may want to look elsewhere. You should feel like you can trust them, so don’t fear seeing someone else.
Ask for referrals to find a great mechanic. Speak with others you know to see if they can recommend someone to you. This allows you to ask about the price, quality of work and satisfaction. You can find out about the experience with a mechanic and if they can be trusted or not.
Take off all of your keychain charms; just use your key. You don’t want to put all that extra weight on the car’s ignition. If your key sticks, install new tumblers and use a lighter key chain.
Keep an eye on the lights located on the dash, and make sure you are aware of what they all mean. These symbols light up to warn you of a problem. If you keep ignoring them it’ll make the problem worse.
Look for online reviews of different local auto shops. This can give you a good idea about how the public feels and what experience you might have yourself. Use this information to choose a shop that you’re comfortable with giving money to.
If you feel that your car has even the smallest of problems, it is smart to get it checked right away. A seemingly small problem may grow into a major one if don’t pay attention to it.
Some shops steal your tires and use old tires to replace them! They sell your tires and make a profit off your ignorance. Prior to taking your car to the garage, use chalk to mark your tires. After the repair is complete, check to see that the chalk is still on your tires.
Ask for OEM parts. These parts are original and from the manufacturer. While generic could be a cheaper option, you don’t know how they will perform in the future. It can appear like a deal right now and cost twice the amount later as OEM components to begin with.
You don’t want people selling you parts that are said to be guaranteed for life. This is simply a tactic they use to get your money. For example, you can find cars that come equipped with “lifetime” fluid in their transmission. This shouldn’t have to be changed quite as often as standard fluid, but it should be changed every 80,000 miles.
Oftentimes people will take their car in for repairs and when they pick it up, they are informed about additional problems. They do this to make it look like you are getting a good deal from them. Look other places to determine if you can save money on the repair.
Verify that a prospective mechanic is familiar with your specific car. Yes, every car has an engine, a radiator, and a gas tank, but how they are built will vary greatly from vehicle to vehicle. If you don’t think the shop you are going to really knows what they are doing, take your car to the dealer instead.
Call the manufacturer for serious issues on a new vehicle. It may be a recall issue if multiple people report the same problem. In the case of a recall, most manufacturers will pick up the cost of fixing it.
Consistency is the key to car maintenance. Once you find a garage you like, stay with it. Different shops won’t have records of the previous work done on your car. They may also charge you different amount, resulting in you paying more for your repairs.
Do not let a mechanic work on your car before knowing about their prices and how much they charge for labor. Ask questions until you are sure you have clear answers. You should understand how you are billed by your mechanic. Are the repair times established? Some repairs that are deemed “minor” may be all day jobs according to the manufacturer.
When a mechanic gives you a diagnosis, don’t make a decision about repairs for a couple of hours. This will allow you to call around and see how much other people would charge to fix a problem similar to yours. If you get a better quote elsewhere, just pay the mechanic for their time and go with the better offer.
Auto Shop
Even if you think your vehicle just has a minor issue, it pays to get it looked at just the same. An issue that might seem minor could end up turning into a nightmare down the road.
As this article has shown you, it is possible to make minor repairs to your car without the need of an auto shop. At the same time, if you have to take your car to an auto shop, you now know how to save the most money and time. Sometimes it is possible to deal with car issues at your home. Apply the tips from this article and spend more time maintaining your vehicle to prevent issues.