Your vehicle is an important possession and you should take good care of it. Because your car is so important to you, you need to learn as much about it as you can. Go over this article for some useful auto repair tips.
It is a good idea to use referrals to find a decent mechanic. Therefore, do not hesitate to ask your family and friends for their recommendations. You can find out great information about price and value that way. Avoid the mechanics who overcharged your friends or were not honest with them.
Referrals can be helpful for finding an auto mechanic. Ask friends, family or co-workers for recommendations. You can learn about the quality of work, the pricing and if they were satisfied with the service. You can use their experiences to determine whether a mechanic is honest or not.
Look over the manual that came with your car. Do not hesitate to let your mechanic know about what you learned from the owner’s manual. You might even find some easy solutions for the issues you have been encountering.
Check online reviews for any mechanic you’re considering. This can tell you about the public views of their skills in customer service and how well they can solve a problem. Use this information to choose a good shop.
Thoroughly review your car manual. You need to know the basics about your car prior to visiting with a mechanic. You may even discover how to solve your car problems yourself.
Once an auto shop has made repairs to your car, test drive it to ensure they did a good job prior to paying them. Many people don’t take this crucial step and wind up plagued by the same issue that brought them to the shop in the first place.
Look out for obvious “red flags” when dealing with a new auto repair company. If a mechanic is not giving you straight answers or cannot explain repairs in details, you should keep looking. You need to be able to trust the person doing your repairs, so don’t be afraid to choose another one.
Every time your car is repaired, regardless of how minor the problem was, make sure you keep a record. Whenever another issue crops up, it is most helpful for your technician to take a look at this document. If you don’t have these records, you could pay lots more money and it can be harder to figure out where the issues is.
Look at all lights that flash on the dashboard and learn what they mean. These warning lights are meant to help alert you to potential problems. Ignoring those for a long time can worsen issues later.
Keep in mind that it’s not always safe to do some auto repairs. Never work on your own vehicle without having someone close by. You never know when an emergency may occur. Put your money towards purchasing good tools that will last. This is very important for the tools that you use to change your tires. Make sure that the jack in your car can securely hold up the vehicle so you are safe while using it. Approved jack stands, working in conjunction with a high quality hydraulic floor jack, are the best tools for tire changes.
Always ask your mechanic for OEM parts. These are original components from the manufacturer. Generic parts can be cheaper but OEM parts will last longer and usually come with a better warranty. What saves you a bit of money in the short term, may end up costing you dearly in the long term.
Transmission Fluid
Lookout for claims that are too good to be true. This is often just a scheme for the business to take as much money as possible from vulnerable consumers. Some cars, for example, do come equipped with transmission fluid proclaiming to last a lifetime. It is not something that will be changed often, but the transmission fluid is not guaranteed for a “lifetime.” In reality, you should change it around once every 80,000 miles.
Keep your eye out for mechanics that do not measure up. If a mechanic is not giving you straight answers or cannot explain repairs in details, you should keep looking. Having a mechanic you can trust is extremely important; don’t waste your time with one who can’t make you confident in his skills.
OEM is the abbreviation of Original Equipment Manufacturer. This can be helpful if parts are being replaced on your car. Your mechanic will consider you as a knowledgeable customer if you ask for OEM parts. There will be far less danger of receiving used parts.
If you encounter a serious problem that threatens your safety on a brand new car, contact the manufacturer. This may be something that is affecting everyone with the vehicle. The manufacturer may even fix your car free of charge.
Always be prepared for a flat tire by having a spare tire, jack and tire iron in your vehicle at all times. Many newer cars already have them. You wouldn’t want to get a simple flat and have to shell out lots of money to a tow truck. You can save a lot of money by performing tasks yourself.
Good auto repair happens due to consistency. Stick to a repair shop that you trust, rather than using multiple shops to get repairs done. If you go to several different shops, you are likely to get several different diagnosis. They might also charge you more for the work done.
There’s no reason why simple maintenance, such as topping off engine oil or adding windshield wiper fluid, can’t be done on your own. It’s a myth that only professional mechanics can perform routine maintenance on a car. Realize what you’re getting yourself into, but don’t be afraid to get dirty!
Get together a kit for car repairs that you can keep in your vehicle. You should have basic tools such as equipment to change a tire, fix a flat, add oil and a gallon of water. If the necessary lug wrench and jack are missing, replace them. You should probably get a few screwdrivers with various shapes as well as different wrenches like for this kit. Cheap tools are not worth your money. Solid and sturdy tools are ideal so you don’t have to worry about them malfunctioning.
As stated earlier, it is important for you to take care of your vehicle. You can save yourself a good amount of money if you even just know simple maintenance. Use these tips and remember them next time your car is doing something strange or you have reason to worry.