Have you ever desired to better handle your own vehicle situations? Have you wanted to make sure you can fix a vehicle yourself if a problem arises? Maybe you want information on how to choose an qualified auto technician to get the job done right. Continue reading to educate yourself about the basic things you need to know about car ownership.
If you have to take a vehicle in for repairs, be sure you ask a few questions about the vehicle. Make sure to consider previous problems you’ve had, and ask how to prevent them. Preventing vehicle issues is a great way of saving money annually.
Regularly check your radiator. Simply run the engine a few minutes and then cut the engine and lift the hood. Never open the radiator while the car is on. Look to see what the fluid level is (use a dipstick), and remember that coolant needs to have a bit of water added prior to entering your radiator.
Wash your car regularly to prevent rust from becoming a problem. Rust will happen, but you can slow things down by keeping the car clean. Wax your car often to protect the paint, as often as you can.
Be sure to keep your car’s records. You may want to have them in the glove compartment, so you can get to them easily if you need an emergency repair. Auto repair mechanics and professionals will need the records. These documents can help the mechanic figure out the problem quicker.
OEM parts should be asked for. These are original components from the manufacturer. Although using generic parts may provide some short-term savings, it’s impossible to know whether or not they’ll hold up as well as OEM parts. Although you save money in the short term with generic parts, its not really a deal if they have to be replaced again in a few years.
Do not leave any items in your vehicle if you are taking it to be repaired. The mechanic might need to clean out the car before performing repair work, and your personal items could be lost. You want to remove items from your trunk also.
Pay attention to any red flags involving your auto repair technician. If you have trouble getting a straight answer out of them, (or if, even worse, they refuse to answer questions to your satisfaction) they probably aren’t the kind of people you want to work with. You need to trust a mechanic, and if you do not feel that trust, find another one.
Your car key should not have tons of fluffy keychains on it. The ignition can’t support too much weight. The last thing that you want is your key to stick, so try to reduce weight immediately.
When you take your car in for repair, verify their hourly rate and total cost of repair before you hand over your keys. There are many unscrupulous mechanics who are not upfront about their costs and policies. You have to figure out what you’re going to get billed with and how to pay. Shops also often give you estimated repair costs and times. Sometimes, minor jobs may take longer than indicated.
Before you drop off your car at a repair shop, take pictures of what the car looks like beforehand. Some disreputable garages will strip your car in order to up their bottom line. You are safer if you have documentation of the condition of your car prior to having any work done on it.
Transmission Fluid
Do not believe claims that any auto part will last for a lifetime. This is simply a tactic they use to get your money. One example is that some vehicles say their transmission fluid will last a lifetime. Though the change time on transmission fluid is very long, it should be swapped every 80,000 miles.
If you would like some security when dealing with an auto repair, consider joining AAA. This organization can help you when you need a repair or a tow. You are going to find that AAA has many discount options in place.
Check fluid levels and fill them yourself. This is easy. It’s a misconception that everyday maintenance must be performed by a professional repair shop. You should learn how to do the work, then roll up your sleeves and get dirty.
Place a limit on how much work can be done to your vehicle without your permission. Do not give your repair shop free reign. Inform them that they must contact you for approval before proceeding with any repairs over the stated dollar amount.
If the mechanic does not want to provide you with a written cost breakdown, find someone else to do the job. If the job is poor, you will want to be able to get your money back.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions of your mechanic. Go beyond price to truly understanding the work he plans to do. Is there an estimate available for the amount of time that will be involved? What work is to be completed? What do the parts cost? Question them about whatever you can think of. That proves to them that you know what you’re talking about.
If you are pleased with the results that an auto repair shop brings your vehicle, make sure you go there again. Building a good relationship with a mechanic is great for ensuring you get quality work done every time. You may find yourself getting better prices, as well, for being a loyal customer.
Don’t feel stuck when it comes to needing auto repairs. Use the tips here to handle some simpler jobs yourself, and to better pick a good mechanic when you need their services. You can see that you are not helpless and that there are things that you can do.
