Auto Repair 101: What You Need To Know

When you do not know how to properly care for your car, you could end up spending a lot of time and money on it. In addition to knowing some basic facts about your car, there are other things that can help you out. Continue reading for some great tips to save money and time.

TIP! Invest in a quality battery charger and always keep it in your car. Having a car battery die is a common problem, so keeping a battery charger in your car can help you and others in this situation.

When taking your vehicle to a shop, ask any questions you may have about it. Make sure that you are specific with your questions when you pose them. One of the best ways to reduce costs is by preventative maintenance.

TIP! Ask your mechanic is he is familiar with working on your car. If yes, then you can trust them with your car.

Make sure that you do not neglect the radiator in your car. Allow your car to run for a bit and then turn it off and pop open the hood. You should never open the radiator of a car that is running. Use a dipstick to check the amount of fluid in the radiator. You should also make sure to mix coolant fluid with water before you pour it into your radiator.

TIP! You must wash your car to keep the rust away. Every car is going to rust in the future, but this can be delayed if you just get all of the chemicals and salt off your car when you can.

You do not have to call a mechanic every time you are having car trouble. Some jobs are simple and do not need to be taken to the auto shop. If you’re feeling lucky, look online to figure out the problem. If it’s easy, you can repair the problem yourself, and save money too.

TIP! You car records need to be kept on hand. One good place to keep them is in a folder in the trunk right above your spare tire.

Ask the technician at the repair shop you are considering if they have done work on the same make and model of vehicle before. If so, they will probably know what must be done to help your car work again.

TIP! Ask your mechanic if he’s worked on a vehicle similar to yours. Cars can differ significantly, even if the general mechanical principles are the same.

Test out your car before paying for its repairs. If you don’t, you may find that you paid for nothing.

TIP! Sometimes you can find a good mechanic who works in their home garage. They may have learned through experience but still be competent, and are likely to have a lower labor rate.

Remember that getting OEM parts is important. This means that you are getting manufacturer made parts and not replicas. While generic could be a cheaper option, you don’t know how they will perform in the future. It might be a great deal, but if you have to continue to replace the part, it is not going to be a good deal in the long run.

TIP! Inspect your manual so that you know what each dashboard light represents. They are meant to help; use them to your advantage.

Basic Tools

TIP! Keep track of how often you need to change your oil. Your car’s oil is a big part of how well it functions.

Keep a repair kit in the car at all times. You need basic tools like a tire changing kit, and you also need other equipment. A car jack and a lug wrench are essential tools to have. Basic tools such as screw drivers, wrenches, socket wrenches, torque wrench and other basic tools are also handy to have. Never skimp when buying tools. Instead, buy better quality, sturdy tools that will not break when you need them to repair something.

TIP! Keep washing your vehicle, even in winter. Winter can be the most damaging season to a car’s bodywork.

As mentioned earlier, learning some basic repairs for your car has many long-term benefits. You can teach other people how to do repairs and rely on your own expertise. Remember the tricks in this article, and you should be able to do your own repairs.

TIP! Remember you don’t need to use a mechanic for car problems. Great mechanics are everywhere, regardless of whether you visit a local mechanic or drive out of town to visit your dealer.