You depend on your car to be able to go to work, run errands and do many other things. You might not know too much about cars, but want to become better educated on their care and repair. This article is intended to help provide a little more confidence in your abilities and teach you the basics of simple auto-maintenance.
Regularly check your radiator’s performance. Let the car run briefly, shut the engine, then open the hood. You never want to open up the radiator if your car is still running. Use a dipstick to check the fluid levels, and always add the correct amount of water to your coolant before adding it to your tank.
Get a referral if you want to see a reputable mechanic. Speak with others you know to see if they can recommend someone to you. Ask them how good the work was, how much they were charged, and if they were satisfied. Their experiences can be a huge help.
Take the mechanic for a drive before getting your car repaired. A lot of people forget to test drive their vehicle and pay for repairs that did not really fix their problem.
When getting auto repairs, take all items out of your car. These items may need to be removed anyway, and they aren’t responsible for lost or missing items. Also, be sure to remove everything from the trunk.
Make a DIY kit to store in the trunk to help you in times of need. Your car came with equipment needed for changing a tire. If you don’t have a jack and lug wrench, get one. You need both types of screw drivers, a ratchet set, torque wrench, and socket wrenches. Don’t buy low-quality tools. You want tools that are reliable and up to the task at hand.
Get a second opinion on all major repairs. Although most auto shops are reliable, you don’t want to pay too much. Search for an auto repair shop that specializes in repairing the make of vehicle you have. These shops are better equipped to handle your car repairs.
Before giving your car to a shop, ask them about their fees. Many shops display a list of their rates, so make sure you understand everything involved in their billing practices. You need to know how you’re billed for the repairs. Check to see the estimated times of the repair that you are having done. Other shops may charge an inflated rate for a minor repair that should be done within a shorter period of time.
Be sure that you’re reminding yourself of oil changes when your vehicle requires one. If you wish for your automobile to run great for a long time, the oil needs to be changed on a regular basis. Not getting an oil change will only shorten the life of your vehicle, so make sure that you set some type of reminder.
Check your tire pressure every time you fill up your gas tank. Look at them and be sure they don’t have anything embedded in them. It is important to get your tires fixed right away if there is something wrong. You don’t want to drive around with damaged tires.
There is nothing routine about flushing your engine. This service is very expensive and it isn’t necessary unless you have neglected engine care for some time.
It is quite common for customers to find out about additional issues when they pick up their vehicle from an auto shop. This is a tactic they perform to make it seem like they are doing you a favor. Tell them that you’re going to have to talk to them later so that you can seek out better pricing.
Test Drive
Bleed your brakes before you take your car on a test drive. After this, pump the fluid in the brakes. Look for any leaks that may cause you to lose fluid. 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. Don’t drive too fast at first to make sure everything is working properly.
If you’re experiencing a major problem with your brand new car, call the manufacturer immediately. This may be something that is affecting everyone with the vehicle. Regardless, the manufacturer will typically offer an acceptable solution to your issue.
Look for the AAA logo if you need a reliable mechanic. From getting a tow truck fast to dealing effectively with a garage, AAA can provide drivers with tons of assistance. Also, they often have discounts that can save you money.
When you receive a list of the issues involved in your auto repair from your mechanic, ask for some time before deciding on having the work done. Call several other places to get quotes on the same work the original mechanic says you need. If there is a cheaper price elsewhere, then you need to go to that shop.
As previously stated, taking proper care of a car is crucial. Simple maintenance tips can help you save so much money and keep you out of the auto repair shop. Apply what you’ve just learned here, and you’ll be confident making repairs going forward.