Your car does a lot for you each day. You might not know as much about cars as you’d like to know. If that is the case, continue reading to learn simple maintenance tips.

You should wash your car often to avoid rust. Rust will happen, but you can slow things down by keeping the car clean. Make sure you regularly wax your car so that you protect the paint.

A record of maintenance and repairs should be in your car. A good place to keep these records in the glove box, so you can produce them on demand when talking to a mechanic. The auto shop will definitely want to see any records. The records can help them determine what is wrong with your car.

Once an auto shop has made repairs to your car, test drive it to ensure they did a good job prior to paying them. If you don’t do this, you may not have the appropriate problem repaired.

Make sure any mechanic you hire knows about your particular vehicle. Basic components are usually the same, but there are big differences in different types of cars. If you don’t think he has, go to the dealer.

Read online reviews of local body shops. This lets you know how other customers have felt. You can then use that information to pick a shop that you can feel comfortable giving your money to.

You may not be a mechanic, but your trunk should always have a spare tire and a jack at the very least. A lot of newer vehicles are already equipped with these things. You would hate to be stuck out in the road and be forced to spend money on a tow. You do the job yourself with less time and expense.

Keep washing your car throughout the winter. Winter can be hard on your vehicle. Road salt and sand cause rust and abrasion. Pick a warmer day and dry the car completely before heading back onto the road.

When bringing your car to a mechanic, tell them you want OEM parts. Those are the original parts from the manufacturer. Generic parts can be cheaper but OEM parts will last longer and usually come with a better warranty. What could be a good deal in the present won’t always be the best thing to for you later, so try using OEM parts when you’re able to.

Keep in mind that you don’t need the dealer for auto repairs. There are several reputable technicians in auto shops and at dealerships. If someone makes you comfortable, use them.

Before taking your car to a repair shop, take pictures of the areas that need to be fixed. Most shops would not strip your car, but there are those who do this to make extra money. This can give you proper documentation in the case of an accident.

Take all valuable items out of your vehicle before taking it in for repairs. To get the job done, mechanics may have to remove your things and if something should end up missing, they cannot be held responsible. You should also remove all the items from your trunk.

Avoid diagnosing car problems yourself. Be aware that you aren’t a car mechanic! It may seem like an easy fix, but in modern computerized vehicles, that may not be the case. Let repair shops diagnose your vehicle. Allow them to know whatever is going on with your vehicle and what kinds of noises you’ve heard and let them make the decision as to what can be done.

If you’re having trouble coming up with money and need auto repair, call a vocational school to see if they offer this service. You can save a lot of money by allowing students to make repairs to your car, but do not worry because these students will be supervised by a licensed mechanic.

If you think your headlines are not as bright as usual, inspect them for cleanliness. Headlights often accumulate grime and other debris during normal use. Use a reputable glass cleaner to get the job done efficiently.

Do not pay for services that you don’t need at an auto shop. Sometimes, a technician will try to pressure you into paying more money than you should.

As was stated earlier, it is important to take proper care of cars. Even learning simple maintenance can save you a lot of money from going to the mechanic. Apply this advice when car issues hit, and you will be just fine.

Before you actually take your car to a mechanic, try to assess what the problem is first. You will not be duped, and you can save tons of money when you find out the problem yourself. An unscrupulous mechanic may exaggerate the problem or diagnose nonexistent ones to charge you more.