Have The Right Knowledge Base Concerning Auto Repair

As a vehicle owner, you understand just how frustrating car repairs can be. However, there are ways that you can save money and time if you have some basic car repair knowledge. Use these tips to better your car’s longevity. They will be very valuable when your car has issues again.

Familiarize yourself with the dashboard of your car. Your dashboard should display five different kinds of warning, including the check engine light, oil pressure warning, an alternator warning, a temperature warning and a brake warning. Learn to recognize these different lights so you can easily identify what needs your attention.

If your car door and hatch locks tend to become stiff, avoid breaking your key off in the lock by lubricating them periodically with a penetrating oil spray. You can use the plastic extender that comes with the spray can to deliver oil to the interior of the locking mechanism. If you have misplaced this extender, just spray your key liberally and turn it in the stiff lock several times.

Always ask about the certification and the insurance of a mechanic before letting them fix your car. If something goes wrong, the mechanic’s insurance will cover damages and usually provides you with a car you can drive until yours is fixed. A mechanic who is not certified does not have an insurance either.

Examine your headlights if they appear dim; they may simply need a good clean. Different substances from the road will accumulate on the glass of the headlights. This will block a portion of the light. Use a quality glass cleaning product and improve the situation dramatically.

Avoid costly car repairs by sticking to the maintenance schedule of your car’s manufacturer. By doing regular maintenance on your car when necessary, you will avoid having to fix things due to maintenance neglect. Not sticking to the maintenance schedule will result in unnecessary repairs which could have been avoided.

Don’t be afraid to ask as many questions as you need. It is your car, and you need to know why it is important to fix a specific item right away. If you are feeling intimated, or you are not receiving straight answers, get a second opinion before signing off on the work.

Find a reputable auto repair shop in your area and take your car there every time it needs service. You should attempt to have the same mechanic work on your car when you take it there. This helps the mechanic to become familiar with your vehicle so he will notice problems sooner than someone else.

Don’t forget about wiper blades. If your wipers don’t do a good job, you need to replace them. Wiper blades should be replaced a minimum of once per year. If your area receives a lot of rain, then you may need to replace your blades more regularly.

Even if you aren’t particularly handy, there are a few DIY repairs that almost anyone can do. For example, changing the windshield wiper blades is really just a matter of snapping off one set and snapping on another. Look in your user’s manual or use a measuring tape to determine what size you need. Don’t be dismayed if the store where you purchase your windshield wiper blades only has one in the right size. You can use one that is an inch shorter on the passenger side of your windshield without causing any problems.

Check the car’s tire pressure whenever you fill up the tank. Look at your tires and ensure that there’s nothing stuck on them. If you notice a problem with your tires, get it fixed immediately. The outcome of driving on damaged tires can be fatal.

Never leave valuables in your vehicle when you bring it to be repaired. It is true that most shops have very trust worthy employees, but not all do, and you do not want to be a victim of theft. Instead, protect yourself by cleaning your vehicle and removing anything that is not attached to the car.

Take some time to learn about your vehicle and how it works. This can prevent your from falling victim to auto repair fraud when you need to bring it to be fixed. It could also lead to you being able to fix simple problems on your own, saving you a great deal of money.

Find out about labor rates before you let a mechanic work on your car. You should have your mechanic diagnose the issues and assess how much work will be needed. Make sure you understand how the mechanic will bill you and have a manager give you an estimate of how much labor time is needed instead of trusting a technician who is not responsible for giving quotes.

Always ask for an estimate in writing before you agree to have any work done. This way, if the shop tries to charge you more later you will have the estimate to prove what you had agreed on. Some shops do this on a regular basis, so be sure to protect yourself by getting it in writing.

Be sure to get a written estimate from your auto mechanic before he does nay work on your car. Even if he tells you a price verbally, you should try getting it down on paper. Many states do not allow anyone to charge too much more than the estimate given at the beginning.

Request a written estimate from mechanics that charge you over $200. You may want to file a formal complaint, and the written quote can be proof. An unscrupulous mechanic is less likely to alter your estimate after the fact, when you each have an original copy.

Some repairs to your car are free. Certain makes and models of cars have a known manufacturer defect. If that is the case, you will likely receive a recall notice in the mail, telling you how to get the defect repaired. You can check online as well, at the NHTSA site, which lists known recall notices.

It can be frustrating to have car issues. Car repairs can be expensive. When you know about car repairs, you can save yourself money and keep your car on the road.