Learning tricks about auto repair can seem daunting at first, but it’s only as difficult as you make it! The knowledge you gain now will continue to help you for years to come. Read these tips and you may be able to do these repairs yourself rather than visiting a mechanic.

When you are at the auto shop, ask a lot of questions concerning your car. Ask what caused your problem in the first place to avoid the issue happening in the future. One of the best ways to save on car maintenance is to prevent problems in the first place. A little money spent for prevention can save thousands in the future.

You don’t always need a mechanic when your car is having problems. You can easily learn to perform small repairs yourself. If you would like to try it, you can research on the problem online. If the job is not too complicated, you will save money by attempting the repairs yourself.

Clean you car on a regular basis so it doesn’t become rusty. All cars eventually succumb to rust, however you can delay this process by washing all salt and chemicals from your car immediately. Make sure to wax your car so as to protect the paint.

Ask for OEM parts. These means they are parts that come directly from the manufacturer. It’s cheaper to get the generic parts, but the quality may not be the same. It can appear like a deal right now and cost twice the amount later as OEM components to begin with.

Remove valuable things from your car prior to taking it in to get fixed. The mechanic might have to remove certain items, and they won’t be liable if it goes missing. Also, be sure to remove everything from the trunk.

Keep your eye out for mechanics that do not measure up. If they are talking in circles and avoiding your questions, you should take your business elsewhere. It is important that you establish trust with the person who is going to fix your vehicle.

Keep a DIY tool kit in your trunk. For instance, if anything dealing with tire changes came with the car, have this in your car. A lug wrench and a jack are essential. You should also include a screwdriver set, a ratchet set, an adjustable wrench and a torque wrench. Never buy cheap tools. Buy quality, reliable tools that are not going to break.

Pay attention to your wiper blades. If you see that the wipers aren’t cleaning effectively, a new pair is in your future. In general, new wipers should be put on your car about every twelve months.

Warning Lights

The warning lights on your dashboard have an important function. Refer to your car manual for explanations. Paying attention to these warnings is always in your best interest. Yes, there are sometimes false positives, but it is risky to ignore these warning lights. If you do so, a problem can get worse and become more costly to fix.

Before seeking out a mechanic, learn about car parts’ standard classifications. There are a few different kinds of parts. New means that the parts were made to meet the standard manufacturer specifications by an independent retailer or the dealer themselves. “Re-manufactered, rebuilt and reconditioned” are parts that are restored to a good working condition. Salvaged parts are used parts that have not been repaired.

You should not purchase a part from someone who claims the part will last you a lifetime. This is simply a tactic they use to get your money. For instance, certain cars have transmission fluid that is claimed to last a lifetime. While this won’t have to be changed often, you will still have to change the fluid every 80,000 miles.

Many times people take their vehicle in to be repaired, and when they return to pick it up they are told about additional issues. This is often done to make you feel as though you’ve been given a great deal. Tell them that you’re going to have to talk to them later so that you can seek out better pricing.

A big part of good auto repair is consistency. Find one shop that you like and stick with them. Not all shops will give your car the same diagnosis for it’s problems. The amount that they charge can be different and may cost you more.

Look to AAA for reliable auto repairs. AAA can be very useful when you need a tow, or are looking for a deal with an auto repair service shop. They may even offer you discounts due to your AAA membership.

Simple things, like adding windshield wiping fluid or oil, is something that you can do yourself. Don’t be fooled into thinking that only a professional mechanic can change your oil or check your fluids. Learn about the process and then dive in!

When dealing with auto repair estimates, have the mechanic give you a detailed list of the repairs and labor costs. This will assist you in comparing quotes between several mechanics. The parts’ cost should be very similar, so it will be labor that you truly compare.

Spend a little time educating yourself on how your car works. There are some repairs you can make yourself once you have the proper knowledge. Oil changes and flat tires for example, can be attended to more cheaply yourself.

When washing the car, take out your mats and spray them also with the hose. Dirt particles stick to the rubber surface; as time goes on the particles can create holes. Holes let the dirt go right into your carpet and make your car look poorly.

Car Trouble

Car trouble does not have to be as scary or time consuming as it was in the past, if you know how to fix basic things. You may even be able to do the repairs yourself and avoid the mechanic, saving you money. Use this article to educate yourself in case you have car trouble in the future.