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If you lack fundamental auto repair knowledge, your car may begin to drain your wallet. It is important to familiarize yourself with your car and learn more about simple methods you can use to fix small problems. Keep reading to save money and time later.
Mechanics should have ASE certification before you hire them. 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.
Always ask lots of questions when your car is at the shop. These questions can involve issues you’re dealing with and what you can do to avoid them in the future. When you understand what’s going on and put preventative measures in place, you will save a lot of money.
Make sure you often check the radiator. Start your car, wait a few minutes and shut it off so you can safely inspect the radiator. You should never open your radiator whenever your car is turned on. Check how much fluid is in the radiator with a dipstick and keep in mind that you should always mix coolant with water before pouring it in your radiator.
Wash your car regularly to prevent rust from becoming a problem. All cars eventually get rusted, but the process can be delayed considerably by washing off any chemicals or salt immediately. Make sure you regularly wax your car so that you protect the paint.
You car records need to be kept on hand. You want these with you when you go to get repairs done; a great place to store them is the glove compartment. The auto mechanic will need to refer to these records. The records can help them figure out the problem.
Watch out for blatant signs that your mechanic is not to be trusted. If they give you the runaround or ignore any questions, you may not want them. It is important that you establish trust with the person who is going to fix your vehicle.
Ask your mechanic if he has had experience working on your type of car. Yes, every car has an engine, a radiator, and a gas tank, but how they are built will vary greatly from vehicle to vehicle. If you aren’t sure, take your car to get serviced at the dealer.
Quality Tools
Keep a tool kit for doing auto repairs in your trunk. You need basic tools like a tire changing kit, and you also need other equipment. Make sure you have a wrench that can loosen the lug nuts on your tires. You should also have good quality Phillips head and flat head screwdrivers, socket wrenches and a ratchet set, a torque wrench and an adjustable wrench. Don’t waste your money on bad quality tools. Invest in quality tools that will not break as you perform repairs on your vehicle.
You should not send your vehicle to a repair shop without getting quotes from different places. While a lot of shops are trustworthy, there are some that will charge you for unneeded repairs. Seek out good shops that that are reputable and familiar with your type of vehicle. You’ll get a better repair on your car because these shops will know exactly what your car needs.
As you have likely surmised, there are many benefits to learning about auto repair. Teach others what you know, and do not hesitate to go to a mechanic if you are not skilled enough to fix your problem. Remember the tricks in this article, and you should be able to do your own repairs.