Dealing with auto repairs is one of life’s most annoying but necessary chores. Nearly everyone deals with a broken down car eventually. Don’t become derailed and learn all that you can from the tips below. You may be surprised by how much you learn.
Always ask lots of questions when your car is at the shop. Be sure the questions involve the problems you are having with your car and what you can do to prevent it from happening again. Preventing vehicle issues is a great way of saving money annually.
Your radiator needs to be looked over regularly. Let the car run a while, shut off the engine and then pop the hood. You should never open your radiator whenever your car is turned on. Check the amount of fluid in your radiator with your dipstick and remember to mix the coolant with some water.
When you have problems with your car, you may not need to visit a mechanic. Some repairs are easy to make. You can always go online and try to diagnose the problem and educate yourself to the possibilities. If the repair is not difficult, you can fix it yourself and save a lot of money.
Consider using OEM parts. These are original manufacturer parts. Generic are cheaper, but also less reliable. 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.
Leave nothing in your car when you take it to the shop. Your mechanic may need these parts removed so that they can make repairs. If you discover missing items later, they hold no liability. Remove all content from the trunk, too.
Keep your eye out for mechanics that do not measure up. If they give you the runaround or ignore any questions, you may not want them. Only choose someone you trust.
Wiper Blades
Your wiper blades need TLC. You need new windshield wipers if they are making noises or leaving streaks. Wiper blades should at least be changed yearly, and sometimes you need to do this more often.
Take off all of your keychain charms; just use your key. The ignition is not suited to that weight, even when you think it isn’t much. If your key begins sticking, the tumblers need replacing.
Washing your car during the winter is important to keep road salt and sand from doing corrosive damage While you may not see the need, winter is by far the harshest season for cars. Roads filled with sand and salt can really do some corrosive damage to your car. To be sure that ice doesn’t build up, make sure the car gets dried after washing it.
Know about car parts prior to visiting a mechanic. Parts can be classified as salvaged, rebuilt, reconditioned, and re-manufactured, and new. New parts are made solely to a manufacturer’s specifications. Buying a rebuilt or reconditioned part means the part has been damaged and fixed in the past. Salvaged parts are second hand parts that have never been fixed.
Do not pay for services that you don’t need at an auto shop. It is quite expensive and usually only necessary for engines in very bad shape. There is a good chance they are just trying to “pad” your bill, unless your engine is in real trouble.
Don’t fall prey to believing someone who tells you there is a lifetime guarantee for auto parts. This is often just a scheme for the business to take as much money as possible from vulnerable consumers. For example, there are cars that are sold with “lifetime” radiator fluid. While you don’t have to change this a lot, you need to be sure it’s changed about every 80,000 miles.
There’s no reason why simple maintenance, such as topping off engine oil or adding windshield wiper fluid, can’t be done on your own. You can do these routine maintenance jobs yourself. Mechanics aren’t required. Learn how to do the job online, which has many resources to teach you, then jump right in.
After a mechanic makes a diagnosis on your vehicle, see if you can’t get a couple of hours to make your decision on getting services. Speak with other dealerships to get different estimates on the job. Sometimes, you may find a better price and save a lot of money.
After paying to replace old parts, make sure the mechanic gives you the old ones that were removed. If the mechanic says no, it’s possible that there was no replacement done. This should raise warning flags that should be confronted.
If you go to a auto body shop and they do good work, go there every time that you need work done. Being a repeat customer and using a good mechanic will help ensure that you get quality work. Another advantage is money saving discounts that are often offered to long time customers.
If you need to put your car in storage, you can avoid having to pay for repairs by placing the car on jack stands and filling the tank. Do not use the parking brake, and store only in a dry location so as to prevent rusting.
Ask your trusted friends for a recommendation for a good auto mechanic. This is a great way to locate a good mechanic because you know first hand that they have done good work in the past. It’s better than hoping the mechanic is reliable.
When you are getting a quote for repairs from an auto mechanic, be sure to have him itemize the parts and labor costs. This will help you compare estimates from two shops. The parts should cost about the same, but the labor is where you will find the deal.
Keep this advice in mind the next time your car has trouble. Don’t be overwhelmed by the costs or complexities of car repairs. Take control, understand your choices and get the best possible outcome.