If you regularly drive a vehicle, you must understand quality auto repair fundamentals. Despite this, many people are completely in the dark about car repairs. This article is filled with tips that will help you take good care of your vehicle over the years.

When you are at the auto shop, ask a lot of questions concerning your car. Ask about any problems you are having, and find out if there’s anything you can do to keep your care healthy. When you understand what’s going on and put preventative measures in place, you will save a lot of money.

Check for A.S.E. certification before you choose a mechanic. Being A.S.E. certified ensures you that your mechanic has proper training and experience. When a mechanic has this certification, you are ensured that a qualified individual is repairing your car.

Go over your owner’s manual and dog ear the most useful pages. This can help prevent a trip to the auto shop if you can fix the issue yourself. The manual may give you information to help you easily fix a problem.

Keep track of all the repairs and maintenance you do on your vehicle. Put these records in the glove compartment in your car for easy access. Repair professionals may want to see these records for repair purposes. They aid in speeding up the diagnosing process.

Check your coolant levels frequently. Run your car for a bit, turn off the engine and then open the hood. Never open the radiator while the car is on. Use a dipstick to check the radiator’s fluid level, and remember to always mix water in with your coolant if need be. Some coolants come premixed.

If you’re headlights are giving off dull light, they may just be dirty. Your headlights will get covered in greasy residues if you do not clean them regularly. Clean your car’s headlights and taillights with a glass cleaner.

Basic Tools

You don’t want rust to attack your car so take the time to wash it on a regular basis. Your car will rust out but you can easily delay this process by washing off salt and chemicals. Make sure you regularly wax your car so that you protect the paint.

You should have basic tools in your car at all times. You need basic tools like a tire changing kit, and you also need other equipment. A car jack and a lug wrench are essential tools to have. Also, it is wise to have screwdrivers, a ratchet set, Phillips head screwdrivers and wrenches. Never buy cheap tools. Invest in high-quality tools that you will own forever.

Get a second opinion on all major repairs. Although most auto shops are reliable, you don’t want to pay too much. Check out other options which are trustworthy. Shops like this may understand your car’s needs better.

Make sure you replace old parts with OEM parts. These are original parts direct from the manufacturer. Although using generic parts may provide some short-term savings, it’s impossible to know whether or not they’ll hold up as well as OEM parts. Though you may think you are getting a deal with generic parts, in the long run, you will end up paying double than you would have if you had gotten OEM parts.

Think about using a mechanic who works from home. You want to make sure the person is qualified, of course, but home mechanics can save you money on labor costs. This can help the home mechanic out and save you a lot of money over the charges of bigger repair shops.

Talk to your friends about their auto repair experiences before choosing a repair shop. The people you know can be the best help in finding a reputable mechanic. Word of mouth is important advertising. You’ll still need to do some investigating. Check online to see if there is other information or reviews about the shop in question.

Before dropping your car off for repairs, remove any valuables. Mechanics might have to empty the inside of your vehicle and they cannot be held responsible if an item is damaged or missing. Empty the trunk too.

Keep in mind that going to the dealer is not something you have to do if you want a vehicle fixed. You should be able to find reliable mechanics in your area, either by going to a repair shop or an independent garage. If you are more comfortable with one of them, by all means use them.

Your tire pressure should be checked when purchase some gas. Take a look at each tire and be sure they are free of any debris. Any problems should be fixed immediately. You don’t want to take any chances by driving with weak tires.

Wiper blades are a very important component to your car. If you notice your windshield wipers are not working properly, get new ones. You should replace wiper blades at least once a year or more often if you live in an area where rain is commonplace or if you notice your wiper blades are worn out.

Think about snapping some photos of your entire car prior to bringing it in for repairs somewhere. Most shops are reputable but there are always a few bad apples out there. You should document what the vehicle looks like in case you experience this terrible thing.

You don’t want to diagnose complex auto issues on your own. Keep in mind that you aren’t an expert. What may seem to be a simple task can be very complex, especially in the newer electric cars and also the newer computerized vehicles. To be sure that the job is done right, have an auto repair shop diagnose the issue. Tell them everything you can about the issue, but allow them to determine the cause.

Know what all the lights stand for on your dashboard and be aware of when they go off. They are located there to assist you, so use them to your advantage. If you keep ignoring them it’ll make the problem worse.

Be sure the mechanic you choose is properly certified. There are automotive excellence awards given to technicians for consumers to be aware of. This will tell you that the technician has been properly trained and will do a great job on your car.

Lots of people who take their cars to get repaired end up paying for much more work than initially believed. People do this a lot of the time to make people think that they’re getting a good deal. Tell them that you’re going to have to talk to them later so that you can seek out better pricing.

You do not have to have repairs done at the auto dealer. There are many shops where skilled auto technicians reside. Consider using one if they appear to be good.

Owning a car means that you have to make sure it is always in good condition. However, you may not know how to perform repair work yourself and you may not know how to find a good mechanic. Go over the ideas that you just read again from time to time so you can be sure you’re able to fix anything that could go wrong later on.