Is your car in need of repair? Well, that is what this article is all about — helping you deal with repair issues. Most people know squat about car repairs, so they need to be told what steps to take. Keep reading for some useful tips on how to keep your vehicle in good shape.

The mechanic that you use should be A.S.E certified. Being A.S.E. certified ensures you that your mechanic has proper training and experience. That way, you can have the best mechanics working on your car.

Keep a good battery charger 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. Learn how to find connection points so that you can use the charger with ease.

Do not underestimate the importance of having an emergency kit in your car. This kit should consist of tire changing tools, jumper cables, and an empty container that is appropriate for re-fueling your gas tank. A few blankets, flashlights and spare batteries are also great to have.

There is no better way to find an auto mechanic than to get a referral. Ask co-workers, friends and family for recommendations. You can gain information about prices and level of quality. They will be the first to tell you about a dishonest mechanic too!

Make sure to study your owners manual. When you need to go to an auto repair shop, the professionals you are dealing with will want to know certain information regarding your car. You may also find answers to your problems, inside.

Look up reviews online for body shops in your area. These reviews will inform you of the company’s quality, customer service satisfaction rates, etc. After gathering information, you can select the right shop for you.

Assemble a DIY auto repair tool kit to keep in the trunk of your car. You should definitely have the tools necessary to change a tire, if you need to. You need to purchase a lug wrench and a jack if you do not have them. You should also include a screwdriver set, a ratchet set, an adjustable wrench and a torque wrench. Do not waste money by getting cheap tools. Invest in quality tools that will not break as you perform repairs on your vehicle.

Wiper Blades

Pay attention to your wiper blades. If you notice your wiper blades leaving streaks on your windshield, or they chatter, then it is time to obtain new blades. You need to replace the wipers on your car about every year or even more often if there is a lot of rain where you live.

Think about locating a person that fixes vehicles and owns a garage. There are many mechanics who work from home who do excellent work and cost less to do the job. This can help the home mechanic out and save you a lot of money over the charges of bigger repair shops.

Take photos of your car ahead of a visit to the garage. Most auto shops are totally reputable, but there’s always an exception that may consider stripping some things from your car. Be safe rather than sorry.

Learn all you can about your car and its parts. Parts can be classified as salvaged, rebuilt, reconditioned, and re-manufactured, and new. “New” refers to parts that have been created to manufacturer specifications either through an independent retailer or them. “Re-manufactered, rebuilt and reconditioned” are parts that are restored to a good working condition. Parts that are salvaged are used; therefore, they cannot be altered.

Paying for expensive parts means you must get a warranty with them. When the mechanic orders the parts, ask him about their warranty. Find out how long the warranty lasts and ask for a printed version of the contract so you can review it.

Check that your mechanic has all of the needed certifications. Look for the seal of approval from the National Institute for Automotive Excellence. When they have this, you know they are trained properly and are going to give you good results.

Find out more about AAA to ensure your repairs are on the up and up. Having AAA comes in handy regarding towing needs or a good deal worked out with a mechanic. In fact, you’ll find that many times, AAA has set discounts to lower your out of pocket expenses.

Learn to do some of the easy auto repair tasks on your own to save a trip to the shop. It’s only a myth that it takes a professional to get a maintenance job done. Don’t be afraid to get dirty hands with your new found knowledge.

After having a mechanic replace a car part, ask him to return the old one to you. If they refuse, this could mean that they didn’t replace anything. This is not acceptable, and you should tell him so.

Have your receipts from auto repairs in an accordion file inside your car. Consider separating records by maintenance type or by year. You need a record of the car’s maintenance so you can give it to mechanics later. When you sell you car, it can come in handy as well.

Car Maintenance

Knowing about how your car runs can help you recognize any problems. You should look into classes if you don’t know a lot about car maintenance. Although it’s probably not good to go to a class if you’re not able to pay for it, getting some basic knowledge about cars can help you to save up some money later when you can fix problems. Knowing the basics of car maintenance can help you pinpoint a problem before it becomes a major problem.

Hopefully, you have learned all that you can so that when you have trouble with your vehicle you can get it fixed. You may not be an expert, but you can probably take care of small repairs now. Also, if you have trouble with bigger problems later, you can find someone else that can help you fix them.