You depend on your car to be able to go to work, run errands and do many other things. Because your car is so important to you, you need to learn as much about it as you can. If that is true, continue reading and learn about the basics of car repair.

Regularly check out your radiator. You should let your car run for a few minutes, shut the engine and open your hood. Never open the radiator while the car is on. Look at the coolant you have in your radiator by checking it with a dipstick but remember that coolant usually needs to be mixed with water before putting it into your vehicle.

Make sure the repair shop technician is familiar with the particular model of your vehicle. If they have done so, this should inform you that they know what your car needs to work properly.

In order to prevent rust to your car, wash it on a regular basis. All cars eventually get rusted, but the process can be delayed considerably by washing off any chemicals or salt immediately. Protect your paint with regular waxing.

Make sure that you have car records on file. It is a good idea to leave these in the glove compartment because you never know when your car has to go to the shop suddenly. The records will be vital to your mechanic. This will allow them to figure out what the issues are quickly.

Record each repair that you have done on your car. If the car has other issues later, it can help the tech see its past records. The records can help the mechanic determine the problem.

Test out your car before paying for its repairs. Many people don’t take this crucial step and wind up plagued by the same issue that brought them to the shop in the first place.

When getting auto repairs, take all items out of your car. The mechanic may find that these things get in the way and they may get misplaced to where they cannot be located later. You should also remove all the items from your trunk.

Be sure that you know whether or not you have a mechanic that can help you with your vehicle. Basic components are usually the same, but there are big differences in different types of cars. Do not hesitate to take your vehicle to a dealership to have experienced mechanics work on it.

You ought to always have a spare and a jack in the car. A majority of cars come equipped with them. You will have to spend a lot to get your car towed if you cannot change the tire right away. It’s less of a headache and cheaper to do it by yourself.

Put together an auto repair kit and keep it in your trunk. Your car came with equipment needed for changing a tire. A lug wrench and a jack are essential. Your tool kit should contain these items: socket wrenches, ratcheting tools, a wrench for torque and one that is adjustable, and both a Phillips and a flat head screwdriver as well. Never buy really cheap tools. Solid and sturdy tools are ideal so you don’t have to worry about them malfunctioning.

Take all those fun and fluffy keychains off, or make it possible to remove your car key from the bunch. The ignition in your car can’t withstand too much extra weight, even if that weight doesn’t seem excessive to you. If your key starts sticking, you need to change the tumblers and eliminate the troll buddy that’s weighing down your keychain!

It is often best to get minor issues checked by a qualified professional if you are not sure how to fix them. Ignoring small issues can sometimes cause them to grow larger.

Some unscrupulous auto shop will replace your tires with older ones and sell your tires. They usually do this to make a quick buck from you. Prior to going there, you should put chalk on the tires so they’re marked. If the chalk isn’t present when you get the car, you’ve been had.

Test Drive

Once you have worked on the brakes, you should bleed them before you go out on a test drive. Pump your brake fluid afterwards. Make sure to watch out for leaks. Once you are finished with this, you are ready to rock-and-roll on the road and take that baby for a test drive on a street that has minimal traffic. Begin slowly to be sure they’re repaired well prior to trying higher speeds.

Call the manufacturer for serious issues on a new vehicle. It is possible that there was a recall you didn’t know about. More often than not, the manufacturer will be able to fix the car for you.

Learn to do some of the easy auto repair tasks on your own to save a trip to the shop. Don’t be fooled into thinking that only a professional mechanic can change your oil or check your fluids. Realize what you’re getting yourself into, but don’t be afraid to get dirty!

If the mechanic’s hesitant about getting you a written estimate, go elsewhere. If the work isn’t completed in the correct way, you may not be able to get help recovering damages because there won’t be proof of what they did.

Exhaust System

When a mechanic repairs your car, ask them for the old parts. This will prove that the repairs were actually done. This isn’t essential for a repair, such as an exhaust system. It’s easy to tell if the new exhaust system has been installed or not.

During a car wash, take your car mats out and spray them with the hose. Dirt particles can easily get inside their rubber surfaces and can cause holes. Holes don’t look good and allow the dirt to have a clear path to the carpet beneath.

As this article said to you before, you really must be sure to take care of your vehicle. Even learning simple maintenance can save you a lot of money from going to the mechanic. Apply what you’ve just learned here, and you’ll be confident making repairs going forward.