There’s nothing scarier than driving down the highway and having your car suddenly die. You have to worry about the immediate affects, in addition to having to locate a mechanic. How do you go about finding a good mechanic? The article below can help.
There is no better way to find an auto mechanic than to get a referral. Get recommendations from family and friends. You can gain information about prices and level of quality. People will let you know what kind of things they had to deal with and if the person was honest.
Find an ASE certified mechanic if you need some repairs. This certification means that the technician has passed a written test and has over 2 years of experience under his or her belt. This means you will have an expert working on your car.
Before you pay the mechanic, test drive the car to be sure that it is actually fixed. Skipping this step is a common error that causes folks to end up with the same issue they have paid to have fixed.
Always ask your mechanic for OEM parts. These are original manufacturer parts. Generic parts might be cheaper, but they may not be good enough quality. A great deal can cost you tons down the road.
Have a battery charger in your car at all times. Dead batteries are a common occurrence and you’d be able to aid other drivers who have broken down. Take a few minutes to learn how to use it properly before you get in a situation where you need to use it.
When getting auto repairs, take all items out of your car. The mechanic might have to remove certain items, and they won’t be liable if it goes missing. Remove all items from the trunk too.
Try figuring out the issue prior to going to get repairs. Being able to diagnose the problem, even if you can’t fix it, can help you from being fleeced by an unscrupulous mechanic. As you’ve probably heard, there are some mechanics that like to lie about issues to make some more money.
Be prepared for any emergency by equipping your car with a well stocked emergency kit. Your kit should include jumper cables, tire changing tools and maybe some extra gas. For night time breakdowns, make sure to include warm blankets and a flashlight with extra batteries.
Check and make sure that your mechanic is familiar with working on your type of car. While basic components may be the same, there are differences between cars due to the amount of space beneath the hood. If you don’t know, pay extra to get the dealer to repair it.
If you are having extensive repairs done, make sure that you get several estimates. While a lot of shops are trustworthy, there are some that will charge you for unneeded repairs. Find a shop that has a reputation for deal with your make of car. These mechanics will most likely be more experienced in fixing your kind of car.
Ask for the charge total before giving mechanics your keys. Ask any questions you have about the service before they start work on the car. You don’t want any unpleasant surprises when you get your bill.
Sometimes you can find a good mechanic who works in their home garage. Mechanics who work from home are often able to charge less because they don’t have the overhead that shops do. Next time your car is in need of repairs, ask around for referrals for an unlicensed but fabulous mechanic.
Get rid of any unnecessary key-chains that are attached to your car keys. Though it may not seem to be all that heavy, your car’s ignition cannot handle that much weight pulling down on the key. If your keys starts sticking, you need the tumblers replaced.
You do not have to contact a mechanic every time you have issues with your car. Many things are able to be fixed easily. You can take your chances by going on the Internet to find some information to see if you can locate the problem. If the repair isn’t too difficult, you might be able to save money by doing it yourself.
Make sure that you clean your car in the winter as well. While you may not see the need, winter is by far the harshest season for cars. In particular, it can cause the car to rust. Dry the car right after washing, and make sure you do it thoroughly.
When you fill your car with gas, check tire pressure. Take a look at each tire and be sure they are free of any debris. Any problems should be repaired pronto. Do not take a chance by driving on damaged tires.
Read as much of your auto manual as you can, marking anything that is important. If you have to get an auto repair, the mechanics will need to know specifics from the manual that are unique to your car. After reading the manual, you might just find that you have an easy fix on your hands.
Take pictures of your entire vehicle before taking it to the shop to get repaired. Some shops might strip your car to justify billing you for more repairs. Should something bad happen, it is helpful to have images of what your car looks like.
It can be tough to ferret out a really good car repair shop. The process is simplified, though, once you have a bit of know-how. Knowing what to look out for and what questions to ask can put you at an advantage. Keep this advice in mind if you have issues later.
Use the Internet to search for local auto body shop reviews. This gives you an idea regarding the public’s view of the particular service and lets you know who and where you should avoid. You can use online reviews to find an auto repair shop that you are comfortable giving your business to.