You depend heavily on your car, as it is your primary mode of transportation. You might not know as much about cars as you’d like to know. If that’s the case, read this article and learn how to do simple maintenance!
Check out your mechanic to see if he is A.S.E. certified before allowing him to do any work on your vehicle. The basis of this certification is that your mechanic has over two years of experience and they have passed appropriate testing. This is one good way to separate the wheat from the chaff when picking a good mechanic.
Your radiator needs to be looked over regularly. You need to allow your car to run for a couple of minutes, shut down the engine and then open up the hood. Never open your radiator if your vehicle is running. Use a dipstick to check the radiator’s fluid level, and remember to always mix water in with your coolant if need be. Some coolants come premixed.
You don’t need to call someone to repair your car each time you’re experiencing trouble. There are several things that can be fixed quite easily. Research into auto repair online may help you identify the problem. If the job is not complicated, make the repairs yourself to save money.
As the mechanic whether they’ve worked on your make and model before. If so, they will probably know what must be done to help your car work again.
Make sure that you wash your car frequently to reduce rust and corrosion. While cars are going to rust eventually, you can definitely slow this down by ensuring all chemicals are cleaned off your car as quickly as possible. Waxing your car helps protect the paint.
You should not leave anything inside your car if you need to take it to a repair shop. These items may need to be removed anyway, and they aren’t responsible for lost or missing items. You should also remove all the items from your trunk.
Find a technician knowledgeable in your kind of car. Cars can differ significantly, even if the general mechanical principles are the same. A luxury SUV is quite different from a hybrid Prius, for example. If you’re not sure, go to the dealership for repair.
Flat Tire
Always be prepared for a flat tire by having a spare tire, jack and tire iron in your vehicle at all times. They are included with most new vehicles. Being stuck with a flat tire is not something anyone hopes for. Paying for someone to help is expensive. It is much easier and inexpensive to do it yourself.
Get a second opinion on all major repairs. Most shops are on the up and up, but some will charge you for things that aren’t necessary. Try to find shops that are experts in fixing your specific type of car. They may have an easier time understanding what needs to be done to your car.
Replacing the bulbs on your taillights or headlights yourself can save you both time and money. Doing so is easier in some cars than others, but it is still cheaper than paying a mechanic to make the replacement. Speak with friends and family for pointers or instructions.
Wiper Blades
Never forget about your wiper blades. If your wipers are not doing a good job or often streak or chatter, you need new ones. Wiper blades should be replaced when they wear out, or at least once per year. This can be more often if your location receives a lot of rain.
Washing your car during the winter is important to keep road salt and sand from doing corrosive damage The winter damages your car more than any other season. Rust and abrasion can occur from the particles flying around in the air. Be certain to dry your car completely before driving again, so that icing does not occur.
There is nothing routine about flushing your engine. This is a pricy process that isn’t necessary unless you’ve done things to harm your engine like not changing the oil regularly.
Many times people take their vehicle in to be repaired, and when they return to pick it up they are told about additional issues. This helps them give you the impression that you are getting a great deal. Tell them you have to think about it before accepting the deal.
As mentioned earlier, it is important to take good care of your vehicle. Even learning how to perform simple routine maintenance can save a lot of cash and trips to the mechanic. Use what you have learned here the next time you find your car behaving strangely.