Nothing really beats how free you feel when you have a vehicle. You are free to move about the country as you please. That said, your car can give up at any moment, too. The information in this article can get you on the road again quickly.

Consider keeping a high quality battery charger in your car. Dead batteries happen a lot, and you can provide assistance to others if you keep a charger on hand. Learn how to connect your car to the batter charger.

Don’t sign anything until you know the total cost of repairs. Ask any questions you have about the service before they start work on the car. You don’t want to be surprised by unexpected charges.

Be sure and regularly check your radiator. Start your car, wait a few minutes and shut it off so you can safely inspect the radiator. Never open your radiator if your vehicle is running. Check the amount of fluid in your radiator with your dipstick and remember to mix the coolant with some water.

In order to prevent rust to your car, wash it on a regular basis. All cars will rust up eventually, but you may delay it considerably by ensuring all chemicals and salts are washed off quickly. Use a good wax to protect your paint job as much as possible.

Ask a potential mechanic if they have experience with working on the exact kind of car you have. If they have, they probably know what it takes to make the needed repairs.

Familiarize yourself with your car’s manual. The auto repair shop people will ask you specific information about your car. The issue may be very simple to fix, saving you time and money.

You need your records available at all times. You want these with you when you go to get repairs done; a great place to store them is the glove compartment. Auto repair mechanics and professionals will need the records. They can find problems much quicker that way.

Try to learn the problem before you take your vehicle to a mechanic. Identifying the problem yourself can save you some money, and it can prevent you from being taken by a dishonest mechanic. Mechanics sometimes will cost you an arm and a leg for unnecessary repairs.

Make sure you replace old parts with OEM parts. These are original components from the manufacturer. Generic may be cheaper, but you don’t know the quality of these parts as time goes on. It might be a great deal, but if you have to continue to replace the part, it is not going to be a good deal in the long run.

Attempt to self-diagnose ahead of going to a garage. You can save lots of money if you can diagnose the problem yourself. It also ensures that the mechanic won’t try to pull a fast one on you. As you probably have heard in the past, some people that fix vehicles are lying so they’re able to get paid more.

Make sure your mechanic knows how to work on your make of vehicle. Different cars require different skill sets. If you don’t think he has, go to the dealer.

Vehicles need repairs frequently, but that certainly doesn’t condemn you to a mountain of repair bills. In many cases, you can fix your car’s problems on your own. Apply the tips from this article to keep your vehicle in good shape.