Your car is one of the biggest investments you’ll make, and not knowing anything about auto repair will just make that investment more expensive. It is important to familiarize yourself with your car and learn more about simple methods you can use to fix small problems. This article will teach you about the more general tips you need to know.
Battery Charger
Find an ASE certified mechanic if you need some repairs. This indicates passage of written testing and experience of no less than two years. This also means that you have an experience, knowledgeable repair person working on your car.
Always have a good battery charger in your car. Dead batteries are common, and a good battery charger will come in handy more than once. Learn to locate the points where you should connect the battery charger on your car.
It is important for your car to have an emergency kit. Your kit should include jumper cables, tire changing tools and maybe some extra gas. It is also wise to include a flashlight, some fresh batteries and a blanket in case your vehicle breaks down in cold weather or at night.
Make sure you often check the radiator. Keep your car running then shut the engine for several minutes before opening 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.
Be sure to ask lots of questions when taking your car to an auto repair service. Be sure the questions involve the problems you are having with your car and what you can do to prevent it from happening again. Preventative measures will save you a whole lot of money in the long run.
Get a referral if you want to see a reputable mechanic. Ask friends, family or co-workers for recommendations. This gives you the opportunity to find out about costs and the overall quality you can expect. People will let you know if their experiences were good or bad and how honest the auto repair shop was with them.
See if the prospective mechanic has experience with your type of car. If yes, then you can trust them with your car.
Be sure to keep your car’s records. These should be kept in the glove compartment of your vehicle for easy access out on the road. The auto mechanic can look at the records. These documents can help the mechanic figure out the problem quicker.
See if you can find reviews about the body shop of your choice on the Internet. This can inform you of how the general public views their customer service skills as well as how well they do when it comes to solving the problem. Use this information to choose a shop that you’re comfortable with giving money to.
Be sure to wash your car often so as to prevent rust. All cars are going to rust, so make sure that you wash your vehicle at least once a month. Utilize quality waxes to keep the paint looking new.
Put together an auto repair kit and keep it in your trunk. Your car came with equipment needed for changing a tire. You need to get yourself a lug nut wrench and a jack, as well. Also have a few tools like a socket set, both a regular and Phillips head screwdriver, a crescent wrench and a torque wrench. Avoid purchasing cheap tools. If you buy high quality tools, they will not break when you really need them.
You should not have a lot of heavy items on your keychain. The ignition of your car is not meant to hold much weight. Although these keychains may not feel heavy to you, they will to your car. When the key begins to stick in position, you have to replace all of the tumblers or endure more serious damage.
It is important to be aware of mechanics who make repairs that are not necessary. Make sure that you give your approval first before a repair is done. If a mechanic performed a repair you did not authorize, you should not take your vehicle to them twice.
The warning lights on your dashboard have an important function. Refer to your car manual for explanations. These lights give you a good indication of when your vehicle needs some maintenance. Ignoring them for extended periods of time will only make the problem much worse than it already is.
As you can now see, knowing auto repair basics will prove to be very beneficial. In addition to being able to help others and yourself, you will save tons of money. This article has the tips you need; just utilize them to your benefit.
Keep a spare tire and a jack with you all the time. A majority of cars come equipped with them. You’re not going to want to be paying money for being rescued by a tow truck after finding yourself stuck. It will be quicker and less costly when you do it yourself.