Your car does a lot for you each day. Do you want to learn more about caring for it? Go over this article for some useful auto repair tips.

Only choose an A.S.E. certified mechanic. This kind of certification tells you that whoever will be working on your car has a couple years of experience and has passed a test. This means you have the best mechanic performing maintenance on your automobile.

Check the radiator regularly. Let the car run a couple minutes, shut your engine and open up your hood. You should never open your radiator whenever your car is turned on. Use a dipstick to check the fluid levels, and always add the correct amount of water to your coolant before adding it to your tank.

Battery Charger

Keeping a good battery charger in your vehicle is always a wise choice to avoid being stranded. Dead batteries are common, and a good battery charger will come in handy more than once. Be sure you know how to correctly connect the charger clamps to your battery and the battery you are charging.

Talk with your technician to determine if they have worked on your car before. If they have, there is a good chance they will be able to repair your car.

Know what your costs will be before handing your keys over to the mechanic. When you’re not sure, ask until you feel clear. You don’t want to be shocked by a huge bill to pay.

Be careful that your mechanic does not attempt to perform unneeded repairs. Make sure that you give your approval first before a repair is done. If a mechanic does unnecessary repairs, find someone else who is more trustworthy.

Referrals are your best best when searching for a trustworthy mechanic. See if co-workers, friends, neighbors, or family members have any recommendations. This will let you figure out what kind of price you’re dealing with and if you’ll be satisfied with the work that is done. They can let you know if they had a good experience and whether or not the mechanic was trustworthy and honest.

Try to get OEM parts for your car. Those are the original parts from the manufacturer. Generic are cheaper, but also less reliable. What may seem like a deal now can cost twice as much as buying OEM in the first place.

Do not leave valuable items in the interior of your car if you need to leave it at the repair shop. Some of these items may need to be removed so the mechanic can do his work, and the shop is not responsible if anything is lost. Remove all items from your trunk too.

Keep a record of any vehicle repairs. Whenever another issue crops up, it is most helpful for your technician to take a look at this document. Not maintaining these records will likely mean you have to spend more money because diagnosing the problem will be harder for the mechanic to do.

Keep in mind that going to the dealer is not something you have to do if you want a vehicle fixed. Great mechanics are everywhere, regardless of whether you visit a local mechanic or drive out of town to visit your dealer. Check out all of your options and go with the mechanic that you feel most comfortable with.

No matter what a mechanic tells you, be aware that flushing your engine is an exceptional procedure. It is definitely not part of your car’s ordinary, routine maintenance. This service is very costly. It is not a necessary service unless you have been hard on your engine. If you do not get oil changes on a regular basis, you should have this service.

Do an online search of reviews about your local automotive repair shop. These reviews will inform you of the company’s quality, customer service satisfaction rates, etc. This can play a big part in the shop you eventually choose to do your car repair work.

If you are worried about no one being there when you need auto repairs, sign up for AAA. This can be a big help if you need to get a tow or work with an auto repair shop. You can often find discounts on an annual AAA membership if you shop around.

You should be able to do small auto repairs on your own, like adding wiper fluid and oil. It is a myth that only professional auto mechanics can do routine maintenance jobs. Learn about the process and then dive in!

Headlights will sometimes dim over time, but often is just a matter of cleaning them off regularly. Headlights often accumulate grime and other debris during normal use. Clean theses with a good quality glass cleaning agent to get them as clean as possible.

Using a dealer’s mechanics can be expensive, but this is often your best option. The technicians at dealerships are trained to work on your particular model of car. They have the right tools to quickly diagnose your problem, and know how to troubleshoot the more common ones. They also utilize regular auto repair training programs to keep their skills up to date.

Ask your mechanic a lot of questions. You need to get some details on the kind of repairs needed. How long should it take to finish? Ask about the kind of work done to your vehicle. What is the breakdown cost per part? Ask anything else that comes to mind. This shows you are informed, and the answers can help you in the future if the same problem comes up again.

Keep a tool kit for doing auto repairs in your trunk. Your tool kit should have equipment to change a tire and other necessary items. Be sure to purchase a lug wrench and a car jack if you haven’t got one. Then have a screwdriver kit, socket wrench kit, ratchet set, torque wrench and adjustable wrench, too. Never buy cheap tools. Purchase solid tools that are resistant to breakage.

Do not use water for the windshield washer compartment. Water might be enough to clean your windshield but the system is designed for special fluid and using water instead of could damage the system. You need to check this on a regular basis for refill needs. If it’s empty, top it up.

Devote some time to learn all about your vehicle and how it runs. You will only be able to sidestep the mechanic if you possess a bit of auto repair knowledge yourself. This allows you to save a lot on the long term and even help your friends with their cars.

If you notice your vehicle’s headlights or taillights have blown out, then it is possible to repair these issues yourself rather than visiting a mechanic in order to save money. Some vehicles make it easier to do, but it’s cheaper than getting a mechanic to do it. Ask your friends and relatives if they can help with this small repair.

The mechanic is the first barrier you have to face with auto repair. You never want to enter into business with a shady mechanic. Watch out for mechanics that fail to make eye contact, talk fast, and ignore your questions. They may be trying to hide something from you, or even charge you for unnecessary repairs.

Since your car is so important, taking care of it is crucial. Knowing just the simplest of things can save you quite a bit of money. The information here will help you keep your car running smoothly.

Think about finding a mechanic who does repairs in his or her own garage. It’s about the experience, not the location, and someone that uses their own locale may be a lot cheaper than a shop. This may result in substantial savings, and you can also provide such mechanics with much-needed work.