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A basic understanding of auto repair services is really a necessity for anybody who owns (or even just drives) a car. There are shocking numbers of drivers out there who are entirely clueless on this subject, though. Luckily for you, you’ll find that the following article is very helpful if you need to know a few things about auto repair; you can be sure everything works great as your vehicle ages.
Have a battery charger in your car at all times. Having a dead battery can leave you stranded in some pretty terrible places. Locate the points the battery charger should be connected to so you can easily jump start your own vehicle.
Don’t underestimate how important it is to have some kind of emergency kit within your vehicle. Be sure the kit has tools for charging the battery, adding gas to the tank, and changing tires. You may also want to add some batteries, a flashlight and a few blankets in the event that you break down at night.
When you arrive at a repair shop, don’t be afraid to ask questions. Be sure the questions involve the problems you are having with your car and what you can do to prevent it from happening again. Learning how to prevent certain issues will help you save a lot of money.
Before paying for repairs done on your car, test drive it to make sure it runs well. Many people don’t do this, and the car ends up with the same issues that were supposed to be repaired.
Request OEM parts. This means that you are getting manufacturer made parts and not replicas. While generics are much cheaper, they are not held to the same quality standards. What saves you a bit of money in the short term, may end up costing you dearly in the long term.
Watch out for obvious warning signs that a repair person is not up to snuff. If they avoid your questions, you may want to look elsewhere. You need to be able to trust the person doing your repairs, so don’t be afraid to choose another one.
Try to find out what is causing the a problem with your vehicle before taking it to the shop. You will not be duped, and you can save tons of money when you find out the problem yourself. If you bring your car to a shop, you are sure to pay a hefty fee.
If there are two tools all cars should have, it is a jack and lug-nut wrench. With that, you also need an extra tire. Most new cars come with them. Being stuck without a spare tire and jack means you will have to get your car towed. You can save a lot of money by performing tasks yourself.
Before taking your car to a repair shop, take pictures of the areas that need to be fixed. Most shops are reputable but there are always a few bad apples out there. To keep from having this horrible experience, make sure you document all area of your vehicle by taking clear and dated pictures.
A big part of good auto repair is consistency. Once you find a garage you like, stay with it. Different shops may give you a different diagnosis of your car’s problems. The amount that they charge can be different and may cost you more.
If you are worried about no one being there when you need auto repairs, sign up for AAA. This is a great service to have when you are stranded and need help. In fact, you will often find that AAA will have discounts that will save you a lot of money.
If you get an estimate from a mechanic, tell them you need a few hours to think about it before making your decision. Call competitors and other mechanics to see how much you’d pay if you went to them instead. If someone else is cheaper, pay the shop for labor thus far and go elsewhere.
Owning a car includes being responsible for maintaining it and fixing it when you need to. Sadly, people don’t understand how to keep their car in great shape. Go over the ideas that you just read again from time to time so you can be sure you’re able to fix anything that could go wrong later on.