A primer on basic auto repair is a must if you are going to drive a car. Unfortunately, this is not legally required, so most people never learn these basics. Luckily, the article below has some great tips that will help you keep your car in tip top shape.
Regularly check your radiator’s performance. Let the car idle for a short period first, but only long enough to let the fluid circulate. Never open the radiator while the car is on. Check how much fluid is in the radiator with a dipstick and keep in mind that you should always mix coolant with water before pouring it in your radiator.
The mechanic that you use should be A.S.E certified. The basis of this certification is that your mechanic has over two years of experience and they have passed appropriate testing. When a mechanic has this certification, you are ensured that a qualified individual is repairing your car.
Always keep a record of any maintenance done to your car. When another issue crops up, this record will allow you to provide the history to the mechanic. If you do not have documentation, you may have duplicate services performed.
Keep a spare tire and jack in your trunk. Newer cars almost always have them. Having these items will allow you to change a tire and get back on the road quickly, which is helpful when you are stuck in a dangerous location. It is cheaper and easier when you do it on your own.
It is important for your car to have an emergency kit. You can make your own; include things that you will have to have to put on a spare, add gas or charge the battery. You may also want to add some batteries, a flashlight and a few blankets in the event that you break down at night.
Basic Tools
You should have basic tools in your car at all times. Basic tools that should be included are tire changing tools. If you don’t have a jack and lug wrench, get one. You will need several screwdrivers, ratchets, socket wrenches, an adjustable wrench and a torque wrench. Avoid purchasing cheap tools. Get good, reliable tools that are not easy to break.
Check the radiator regularly. Allow your car to run for a bit and then turn it off and pop open the hood. Never, ever open the radiator while the car is still on. Check the fluid in your radiator and always mix water with the coolant before adding it.
Think about locating a person that fixes vehicles and owns a garage. If they possess sufficient experience, they can typically do jobs for far less cost. This may result in substantial savings, and you can also provide such mechanics with much-needed work.
Keeping your car in proper running order is a necessary chore of life for most people. Too many people do not understand what steps to take to have repairs performed on their cars. 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.
Educate yourself on your car’s manual and bookmark important pages. Any auto professional with a good reputation will need to know all he can about your car. Sometimes you may find things that you can easily fix yourself and do not require a trip to the dealership.