Whenever you experience car problems, you should not take them lightly. You want to protect your major investment with a strong knowledge base. Read the following article so you know what to do if you need to repair your auto.
Be sure that you have an A.S.E. certified mechanic before they are allowed to work 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. When a mechanic has this certification, you are ensured that a qualified individual is repairing your car.
Verify that any prospective mechanic has earned an A.S.E. certification. This kind of certification tells you that whoever will be working on your car has a couple years of experience and has passed a test. This means you will have an expert working on your car.
Before you hand over your car to the shop, be sure you are clear about the repair costs. When you’re not sure, ask until you feel clear. If you do not communicate with your mechanic, you might be surprised with additional fees once you receive your bill.
Go over your owner’s manual and dog ear the most useful pages. When you visit a car shop, mechanics will need to know particular information about your car. Sometimes you may find things that you can easily fix yourself and do not require a trip to the dealership.
You don’t have to get a mechanic in for simple repairs. There are a few things that could be fixed very easily. You can research the problem online in order to find out more about it. When it’s a simple fix, do it yourself!
Each time you get your vehicle repaired, no matter what the reason, be sure you have a record of it. If you have problems later, these records can come in handy. Not having any repair history on the vehicle can lead to more problems for the mechanic.
Look up your local body shop’s reviews online. This will speak volumes about their customer service abilities and their skill in solving issues. You can use online reviews to find an auto repair shop that you are comfortable giving your business to.
Make sure that you wash your car frequently to reduce rust and corrosion. All cars are going to rust, so make sure that you wash your vehicle at least once a month. Waxing your car helps protect the paint.
Never leave any valuables in your car when it is getting repaired. These items may need to be removed anyway, and they aren’t responsible for lost or missing items. Take everything out of the trunk as well.
Check to see that your technician knows what he is doing. If your mechanic talks in confusing terms or tells you not to worry about the details, then it may be time to find one who you have confidence in.` Run, don’t walk, to another mechanic.
Thoroughly review your car manual. You need to know the basics about your car prior to visiting with a mechanic. You might even find some easy solutions for the issues you have been encountering.
Get together a kit for car repairs that you can keep in your vehicle. The basic tools you will need include the tire changing equipment which should have come with your car. Buy a jack if your car does not already have one equipped. You should also have good quality Phillips head and flat head screwdrivers, socket wrenches and a ratchet set, a torque wrench and an adjustable wrench. Avoid cheap tools. Purchase solid tools that are resistant to breakage.
Repairs like burned out taillights or headlights can be fixed on your own. You can do this easily on some vehicles, and you’ll find it costs you less than having a company help you. See if someone you know can tell you how it’s done.
Buy OEM parts. These are the manufacturer’s original parts. Generic parts may cost less, but you cannot really tell if they are the best quality. What saves you a bit of money in the short term, may end up costing you dearly in the long term.
Monitor your dashboard lights regularly. They were put there for your assistance, so use them for that. Problems will worsen if you simply ignore them.
Remember you don’t need to use a mechanic for car problems. There are good mechanics all over that can fix your car. If you feel a good comfort level with someone, you should hire them.
Find a technician knowledgeable in your kind of car. Different cars require different skill sets. If you’re not comfortable with your mechanic working on your car, take it to the dealer instead.
If you’re experiencing a major problem with your brand new car, call the manufacturer immediately. There could be a recall issue for that car or they’ll consider issuing one if you’re not the only one to complain about it. As a general rule, they will take care of the car repairs.
Consistency is important when dealing with auto repair shops. Take your vehicle to the same auto shop once you have found a good one. Not all shops will give your car the same diagnosis for it’s problems. Prices will also vary, which can lead to a higher overall cost for car repairs.
Ask for labor rates or prices before hiring a mechanic. Some fees may not be readily apparent, so make sure you know exactly what they are. You must know what you’re being billed. Some shops have estimated repair times that are established by specific manufacturers. Some minor repairs could even be an all day job.
When you get a diagnosis of your vehicle’s problem, think about what you want to do before you commit to any repairs. Use this time to call other dealerships and garages to ask for quotes since you can accurately describe the repairs you need. If you are able to find a better price, you might owe the shop some diagnostic labor, but you will not be stuck with an overpriced repair.
Keep a plastic accordion file in your car and put all your auto repair receipts in it. File them by work done, or timeline order. However you sort them, you’ll have your car’s history on hand should you need it when out on the road. It only takes a few minutes to do, and the record can be a valuable tool.
There are some shops that do devious things to your car if you are not paying attention. This is done for profiting from ignorance. Prior to entering, mark your tires with chalk. If the chalk isn’t there, you’ve been taken advantage of.
Mechanics that estimate over $200 for service should be asked for a written statement. Written proof can prove to be invaluable to settling any disagreement you may have with the mechanic. Mechanics aren’t as likely to charge you for unrequested repairs as well.
When dealing with auto repair estimates, have the mechanic give you a detailed list of the repairs and labor costs. That lets you compare more easily with other quotes. It’s likely that the actual parts will not vary greatly in price, but the labor might.
Not that many people take time to read their car’s owner’s manual. Review this manual to learn how it’s to be used so that you can find helpful information quickly. Included in the owner’s manual is important information on things such as car maintenance or how to properly change your car’s tires.
It is nice to have the convenience of your car alerting you to every problem. Don’t make this your sole source of information though, take the time to be aware of any issues that are occuring. Most modern cars have onboard computers which control many systems in your car. Without the proper equipment to check out codes sent out by your car’s computer, you may be unaware of any upcoming problems.
Certainly you now know how to approach the issues you’re having with your car. What you have learned here is going to make you a lot more prepared when you end up having to deal with getting auto repairs. Keep them in mind going forward, and make wise decisions about auto repair.
It’s not uncommon to drop off you car for one repair and then be told that there are more repairs needed. Unscrupulous dealers do this to make you feel as though your car may be dangerous and they are being a friend by offering you a deal. Tell them that you’re going to have to talk to them later so that you can seek out better pricing.