Do not simply admit defeat when issues pop up with your car. Your knowledge about how to deal with repairs protects that big investment you have in your car. Keep reading to learn more about what you can do next time you’re dealing with auto repair.
When you visit a mechanic, make sure to ask lots of questions. These questions can involve issues you’re dealing with and what you can do to avoid them in the future. An ounce of prevention can save you a lot of money over time.
Inspect your radiator once in a while. Let the car idle for a short period first, but only long enough to let the fluid circulate. Don’t open your radiator if your car is running. Check your radiator fluid and remember to mix water with coolant before filling your radiator.
Talk with your technician to determine if they have worked on your car before. If they say that they have, this should be a good indicator that they have some idea of what needs to be done to get your car back into shape.
Be careful that your mechanic does not attempt to perform unneeded repairs. A good mechanic should let you know if they noticed parts that are starting to get worn down and will need to be replaced soon but they should not replace the part without your approval. If an auto technician performs unnecessary repairs or repairs that were not agreed upon beforehand, don’t return to them for further services.
Get OEM components. These are original parts direct from the manufacturer. Generic may be cheaper, but you don’t know the quality of these parts as time goes on. Getting a good deal on generic parts means you might have to purchase the same parts again and pay a mechanic to change them within the next few years.
Check and make sure that your mechanic is familiar with working on your type of car. There are many similarities between vehicles but some issues are specific to certain makes and models. The safe route is to pay a little more to have a dealer’s specialized techs work on the car.
Spare Tire
Keep a spare tire and jack in your trunk. If you purchase a new car, you should have these in your trunk. Stuck on the side of the road with a flat tire is bad news. Stuck without a jack and spare tire is bad news and a big bill. It is cheaper and easier when you do it on your own.
Know what your dashboard warning lights mean, and keep an eye on them. Paying attention to these warnings is always in your best interest. If you ignore them, you could end up with expensive problems down the road.
Washing your car during the winter is important to keep road salt and sand from doing corrosive damage Winter is when your car becomes most damaged. With so much sand and salt around, you are just asking for rust and abrasion. Wash your car thoroughly and dry it to keep ice from forming on it.
Learn all you can about your car and its parts. Parts are classified as new, re-manufactured, rebuilt, and reconditioned, and salvage. Parts that are new are recently created to fit manufacturer specifications. Refurbished or rebuilt parts means that these parts have been restored. If a used part is designated as “salvage,” it has not been reconditioned.
Now you should be able to know what to do if you’re having some trouble with the automobile you’re driving. The tips that have been discussed should make you feel good about dealing with auto repair situations instead of feeling lost. Remember these points to do the right things.