You don’t want to just go with the flow when it comes to car repairs. Because your car is a significant cost, you need to be equipped with a lot of knowledge on protecting this huge investment. Go over this article to find out more about auto repairs and maintain your vehicle.

Do not be afraid to ask lots of questions whenever you take your vehicle to the auto shop. What will they do to fix it? What is the problem? You can save a lot of money when you know how to prevent problems.

Do not let a mechanic work on your vehicle unless they are A.S.E. certified. This certification means that the technician has passed a written test and has over 2 years of experience under his or her belt. This is a good way of finding a qualified mechanic who will care about doing a good job so they can keep their certification.

Make sure that you do not neglect the radiator in your car. Let the car run briefly, shut the engine, then open the hood. Never open the radiator cap if the engine is running. With a dipstick, check your radiator fluid. Before adding more coolant remember to mix it with water.

You must wash your car to keep the rust away. All cars are going to rust, so make sure that you wash your vehicle at least once a month. A good wax can help you keep your paint job protected well.

Ensure your car has an emergency kit. Be sure the kit has tools for charging the battery, adding gas to the tank, and changing tires. Blankets, matches, a flashlight, extra batteries, cans of food and some water help, too.

Ask for Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts. These parts are the genuine article, produced by your car’s original manufacturer. While generics are much cheaper, they are not held to the same quality standards. What may seem like a deal now can cost twice as much as buying OEM in the first place.

You should not leave anything inside your car if you need to take it to a repair shop. Mechanics may need to take these items out to do the work and they aren’t responsible if you discover something missing. Clear out your trunk, too.

When taking your vehicle to a shop, ask any questions you may have about it. Focus particularly on the issue that you have; make sure to inquire about what you can do to prevent similar problems in the future. One of the best ways to save on car maintenance is to prevent problems in the first place. A little money spent for prevention can save thousands in the future.

Make sure the mechanic can work on your particular car. Although cars are generally similar in some ways, there are big differences between models. If you cannot be sure, just take the car to a dealership.

Basic Tools

Your radiator needs to be looked over regularly. You need to allow your car to run for a couple of minutes, shut down the engine and then open up the hood. Refrain from opening the radiator when your 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.

You should have basic tools in your car at all times. You need basic tools like a tire changing kit, and you also need other equipment. Get a lug wrench or a jack. You should have a Phillips and flat head screwdriver and several types of wrenches. You don’t want to settle for buying cheap tools. Solid and sturdy tools are ideal so you don’t have to worry about them malfunctioning.

Before taking your car in, ask friends for referrals. They have used mechanics before and can fill you in on their experiences. Still, you want to follow up by doing other research. Online reviews can give you a quick overview of anyone that you have in mind.

When choosing a mechanic, ask if they’ve worked on your model of car before. If they have, there is a good chance they will be able to repair your car.

There are quite a few body shops that are just out there to take off the tires you have and put older ones on. It is a scam that is used to make more money off of uneducated people. Before you go in, place some chalk on your tires to mark them up. If the chalk isn’t present when you get the car, you’ve been had.

Surely you now realize how you can better approach the issues you have with your vehicle. The tips that have been discussed should make you feel good about dealing with auto repair situations instead of feeling lost. Use them and you’ll be sure to succeed.

Check out reviews about body shops online. This will also allow you to know what the public thinks of how they handle customers and how good they are at solving any problem you may encounter. The information will help locate a local repair shop that you are comfortable with trusting with such an important job.