A car repair can be a major hassle as most people need their cars for daily life. Having a non-functioning car makes life quite difficult. That said, you don’t need to shell out tons of money for fixing a car. There are many basic repairs that you can do on your own.

Ensure the mechanic you use has an ASE certification before allowing them to operate on your vehicle. 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.

Find an ASE certified mechanic if you need some repairs. Being A.S.E. certified ensures you that your mechanic has proper training and experience. This lets you know you have the best of the best repairing your automobile.

Battery Charger

Buy a good battery charger to keep in the car. A dead battery is more common than you think and you will be able to help other broken down drivers if you have a battery charger with you. Make sure you learn the points on your car where the battery charger should be connected.

It is important that you fully understand what all the charges will be upfront, before handing the mechanic your car keys. If you aren’t sure about anything, ask for clarification. You don’t want to be shocked by a huge bill to pay.

If your headlights seem dim, they might just be dirty. Headlights often accumulate grime and other debris during normal use. Be sure to clean them with a strong glass solvent in order to get the best light possible.

Try to find out whats wrong with your vehicle before calling a mechanic. This will help you to save loads of money on an auto repair. If you bring your car to a shop, you are sure to pay a hefty fee.

Have records for your car on hand. These should be kept in the glove compartment of your vehicle for easy access out on the road. The mechanics who work on your car will need to see your maintenance records before working on your car. These documents can help the mechanic figure out the problem quicker.

You may be able to replace the lights on your car yourself. Doing so is easier in some cars than others, but it is still cheaper than paying a mechanic to make the replacement. Speak with people that you’re familiar with if you know they’re good at repairs.

Try looking for someone who fixes cars on their own property. You want to make sure the person is qualified, of course, but home mechanics can save you money on labor costs. This is a good way of saving money while investing in your local community.

Ask for OEM parts. These are original parts direct from the manufacturer. Generic parts may cost less, but you cannot really tell if they are the best quality. What may seem like a deal now can cost twice as much as buying OEM in the first place.

Avoid fluffy, silly keychains, or find a way to separate your auto key from that bunch of keys on the chain! The ignition can’t support too much weight. Particularly, if you notice that the key is hard to extract from the ignition, you need to make a change!

Put reminders on your calendar that tell you when to have your oil changed. Your car’s oil is a big part of how well it functions. If your oil is not changed on a regular basis, your car may not last as long as it could.

Your wiper blades should never be forgotten about. If your wipers don’t do a good job, you need to replace them. Wiper blades should at least be changed yearly, and sometimes you need to do this more often.

You do not always have to have your dealer repair your car. There are independent mechanics all over the place. If you have found a reliable mechanic, don’t hesitate to use them.

You might want to get all problems checked out no matter how small you think it is. Even small issues can lead to much larger ones.

Find technicians to do your auto repair tasks instead of your dealer. There are a variety of mechanics and auto shops on offer for you to chose from. Find someone who you are comfortable with and stick with them.

Don’t try and figure out what is wrong with your car by yourself. Bear in mind that you are not trained as a mechanic. Do not assume an issue can be fixed easily, unless you have previous experience with this type of issue. Leave the diagnosing to your auto repair shop. Give them as much information as possible, but in the end, let them perform the diagnosis.

Know whether or not your mechanic is properly certified. Research to learn if they have been approved by the NIAE. A person with this certification will more than likely give you good service.

Keep in mind that any DIY auto repairs can be dangerous. Work with someone nearby if you do plan to work on your car. Buy good quality tools that will not break easily. You definitely don’t want to skimp when it comes to the items you use for tire changing. The jack has to hold the car up without any trouble while you are working on the underside of the car. Buy an adequate hydraulic floor jack that has approved jack stands.

Don’t let a mechanic talk you into getting your car’s engine flushed when it doesn’t need it. It is quite expensive and usually only necessary for engines in very bad shape. There is a good chance they are just trying to “pad” your bill, unless your engine is in real trouble.

Sometimes when you take your car in for repairs, you are told of other problems when you come to get it. This helps them give you the impression that you are getting a great deal. Tell them that you’re going to have to talk to them later so that you can seek out better pricing.

Know about car parts prior to visiting a mechanic. There are several classifications. These include “new”, “re-manufactured, rebuilt, and reconditioned”, and “salvaged.” New parts are the ones that you want to have installed on your vehicles. Parts that are rebuilt, reconditioned, and re-manufactured have been restored to good condition. Salvaged parts are second hand parts that have never been fixed.

As this article has told you, you don’t have to do a lot to fix your car if you don’t have the money to. For the most part, you can resolve car issues at your own home. Try these tips out, and get back to driving sooner than you may think!