A car is quite an important possession. It is important to learn more about auto repairs if you are not familiar with this topic. This article is the place to start.
Keep a good battery charger on hand at all times. People commonly experience dead batteries, making battery chargers good for helping stranded drivers. Make sure you learn the points on your car where the battery charger should be connected.
You don’t want rust to attack your car so take the time to wash it on a regular basis. Cars are all destined to rust, but the process can be slowed by keeping salt and chemicals away from the paint whenever you can. A good wax can help you keep your paint job protected well.
Bad News
Keep a spare tire and a jack with you all the time. Many newer cars already have them. Stuck on the side of the road with a flat tire is bad news. Stuck without a jack and spare tire is bad news and a big bill. You can save money and have an easier time doing it on your own.
You don’t necessarily have to visit the dealer in order to get your auto repairs done. Great mechanics are everywhere, regardless of whether you visit a local mechanic or drive out of town to visit your dealer. If you are more comfortable with one of them, by all means use them.
You should know things about the inner workings of a vehicle before taking your car to the mechanic. Parts are classified as new, re-manufactured, rebuilt, and reconditioned, and salvage. Parts that are new are recently created to fit manufacturer specifications. “Refurbished”, “rebuilt”, etc. mean that the part is like new, and potentially even better than new, as it has been renovated and tested repeatedly. Salvage means that they are used and they have not been altered.
When having repairs on your car, it is important to keep warranties in mind, especially when purchasing costly components. Talk to your repairman about the warranty parts come with. Ask for a print out of the warranty for your personal records.
Your mechanic should have the right qualifications to work on your car. Look for the seal of approval from the National Institute for Automotive Excellence. You will get better service if you go to a mechanic who has been approved by this organization.
OEM is a shorter way to say Original Equipment Manufacturer. This is good to know whenever your car or truck requires new parts. Telling the mechanic you wish to have OEM parts will help you appear knowledgeable. This will make someone less likely to try placing used parts on your vehicle.
If you are concerned about someone having your back when auto repair is needed, look into AAA. They will send out a tow truck if you break down and can help you find a reputable mechanic. Paying the membership fee will be worth it if you can benefit from a few discounts by going to certified mechanics.
Have your receipts from auto repairs in an accordion file inside your car. You can either divide them up into basic maintenance and repairs, or just keep them in chronological order. Either way, you will have a complete record of your car’s maintenance that will be helpful to your mechanic when more repairs are needed and helpful to you if you are dissatisfied with a repair. All in all, it will come in handy.
Pay attention to any unusual sounds coming from your vehicle. Many issues can be identified just by the sounds of your car. When you are able to tell a mechanic about the sound your car is making, they can find the problem easier, saving you money.
You should not trust a mechanic who does not want to give you a detailed quote in writing. The written estimate will serve as proof if something goes awry.
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. The parking brake shouldn’t be engaged, and the storage area should be dry in order to prevent rust.
As this article said to you before, you really must be sure to take care of your vehicle. Learning even the simplest routine maintenance can help save you a bunch of money. Remember these tips when you feel like something’s wrong with your car.