Where do you start when it comes to learning about car repairs? This article will provide you with what you need to get started. Keep reading for some great auto repair tips.
Invest in a quality battery charger and always keep it in your car. Dead batteries are a common problem for many drivers. Additionally, having a charger with you will allow you to aid other motorists in similar need. Learn how to connect your car to the batter charger.
Ask any questions you have. Your questions should focus on issues that your vehicle has, as well as what you can do in the future to prevent them from occurring again. One of the best ways to reduce costs is by preventative maintenance.
Your car should be washed regularly so that rust doesn’t become a problem. 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.
Make sure all repair records are kept close. One good place to keep them is in a folder in the trunk right above your spare tire. The auto mechanic will need to refer to these records. It will aid them in figuring out any issues.
It is very important to keep records of all your auto repairs. If you have problems later, it may help the mechanic to see these notes. If you lack such records, you may end up paying more money for diagnostic work.
Basic Tools
Assemble an auto repair kit and put it inside of your trunk. You should definitely have the tools necessary to change a tire, if you need to. Be sure to purchase a lug wrench and a car jack if you haven’t got one. Basic tools such as screw drivers, wrenches, socket wrenches, torque wrench and other basic tools are also handy to have. Always purchase quality tools. Get good, sturdy tools that won’t break when you need them the most.
If you have to have a big repair done, get multiple estimates. The shop you’ve gone to may be trying to rip you off. Search for a reliable shops that is knowledgeable with your kind of car. These shops are more likely to understand how to perform the repairs your car needs.
Inquire about labor rates and overall cost before handing your keys to the mechanic. A lot of places will put rates in the fine print and so you need to read over any paperwork carefully. How will you be billed? Auto repair shops may use the estimated repair time established by certain manufacturers. Minor repairs can be considered jobs that require a full day of work to some manufacturers.
Know what the lights on the dashboard mean. They’re there to assist you, so take advantage of them. If you ignore them, you could end up with expensive problems down the road.
Although you can easily handle minor issues with your vehicle, you should not attempt to fix major issues. Be aware that you aren’t a car mechanic! What you may see as a simple fix can really be very complicated, especially if you own one of the newer vehicles equipped with a computer. To be sure that the job is done right, have an auto repair shop diagnose the issue. Let them know about any sounds you heard or what problems you have been having, but let them be the ones to diagnose the issue.
Some unscrupulous auto shop will replace your tires with older ones and sell your tires. They do this to make money off of those who do not know enough to check. Before you go in, place some chalk on your tires to mark them up. If you do not see the chalk when you return, you have been victimized.
Sometimes a mechanic will recommend you do an engine flush, but this is not usually a required maintenance procedure. This can cost you quite a bit and it shouldn’t be done unless you haven’t taken care of your engine like getting an oil change every once in a while.
Transmission Fluid
Always be wary of sellers claiming they have auto parts that will last a lifetime. This is a trick used to charge you more for parts. Some cars may come with transmission fluid guaranteed for 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.
OEM is the Manufacturer’s Original Equipment. Remember this term. If you let your mechanic know that you only want OEM parts, you’ll appear to be knowledgeable. This could very well prevent someone from outfitting your car with old parts.
Look for the AAA logo if you need a reliable mechanic. Having AAA comes in handy regarding towing needs or a good deal worked out with a mechanic. A lot of the time you’ll see that AAA can help you with discounts so you don’t pay as much out of pocket.
You should be educated on the parts of your car so you can easily figure out what problems it has. If you feel you are lacking in this department, think about signing up for a car repair class. You may be reluctant to pay for such as class, but you’ll be glad you did when you save money on auto repairs. With this knowledge, you can deal with things before they become big issues.
Ask any of your friends or family if they know a good auto-repair service in the local area. This is really a great way to locate a reputable mechanic because you have some first hand referrals from people you trust. It is a better idea than having work performed by someone you don’t know.
Rather than taking your old car to the shop because it has several problems, learn what the warning signals are for areas that can break down. This may help you learn how to fix simple auto repair problems. Remember what you have learned here the next time your car starts having problems.