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If you are reading this article, you are probably experiencing car problems. Well, that is what this article is all about — helping you deal with repair issues. It is important to do some research before doing any repairs on your car or hiring a mechanic to fix your vehicle. Read these tips to help you deal with finding a good mechanic or dealing with simple repairs yourself.
Be sure your mechanic has an A.S.E. certification prior to letting them fix your car. This certification confirms the the mechanic has a lot of experience working on cars. That way, you can have the best mechanics working on your car.
Battery Charger
Keeping a battery charger in your car is a good safety investment. Having a dead battery can leave you stranded in some pretty terrible places. Learn how to find the points where the battery charger connects.
Don’t take an emergency car kit for granted. You need to have tools in your kit that will allow you to change the battery, help you get some extra gas and tire changing tools as well. For night time breakdowns, make sure to include warm blankets and a flashlight with extra batteries.
Before giving your car keys to the service department, make sure you know what the cost for the repair will be. If you don’t understand something, ask questions until you do. You surely do not want unpleasant surprises when you go to get the car.
To keep rust from becoming an issue, wash and wax your car regularly. Cars eventually rust, but you can put off the process by washing off chemicals or salt quickly. Utilize quality waxes to keep the paint looking new.
Whenever your car undergoes repairs, make sure you have the written record of what was done. If the car has other issues later, it can help the tech see its past records. Without these records, you may have to pay more money, and it may be harder to find where the problem is coming from.
Be careful of mechanics that do unnecessary repairs to the car. Good mechanics will inform you of parts wearing down that need replaced soon, but they won’t replace them without getting your approval first. A mechanic who has performed this practice should never be patronized again.
When bringing your car to a mechanic, tell them you want OEM parts. This means that you are getting manufacturer made parts and not replicas. Generic parts can be cheaper but OEM parts will last longer and usually come with a better warranty. What is a cheap option now could be an expensive option later.
Compare more than 3 estimates so that you can get the best deal on your repair. If you don’t, you might be paying for more work than you actually need. If possible, find a mechanic who is specialized in the make and model you have or in the kind of problems you are encountering. You’ll get a better repair on your car because these shops will know exactly what your car needs.
Pay attention to all of the lights that flash in the dashboard, and make sure that you understand what each of them mean. They are located there to assist you, so use them to your advantage. Do not ignore them, as this can put your safety in danger.
It may be a good idea to fully photograph your car internally and externally prior to taking it in for repairs. Most shops are reputable but there are always a few bad apples out there. You should make sure you keep track of the way your vehicle is looking just in case something like this were to happen.
Make sure you become knowledgeable on standard car-part classifications before visiting a mechanic. Parts have classifications, including salvaged, new, and re-manufactured and reconditioned. “New” refers to parts that have been created to manufacturer specifications either through an independent retailer or them. Parts that are re-manufactured or rebuilt have been restored to perform like new. If a used part is designated as “salvage,” it has not been reconditioned.
Transmission Fluid
There are no auto parts that will last the entirety of your life, and you shouldn’t buy any products that claim to do so. This is often simply a sneaky way for unscrupulous parts dealers to get more money out of you. For instance, some vehicles come with a claim of “lifetime” transmission fluid. Although this special transmission fluid does last longer than regular fluid, it still needs to be replaced after 80,000 miles.
When your receive a mechanic’s diagnosis, ask them for a couple hours prior to deciding if you want your vehicle fixed. Contact other shops or dealerships to ask what they charge for the repairs the first shop is advocating. If you can find a cheaper rate, pay the first mechanic for their time and take your vehicle to the cheaper shop.
After paying a mechanic to replace an old part on your vehicle with a new one, ask him to give you back the one that he removed. If he doesn’t do this, it could be that he never replaced any part. This is not a good sign and you should confront him about it.
Pay attention to the different sounds you hear when starting your car or driving. Noises can help diagnose a problem. If the sounds can be describes to the mechanic, you can save lots of money by helping them easily diagnose the problem.
If your mechanic does not want to give a written estimate on repairing your car, do not get the work done there. You can’t complain later if you didn’t get the estimate in writing.
The tips included here should help you prepare for just about any car issue you can imagine. Although you probably are not an auto repair expert, you should be well-equipped to handle any small repairs. If you encounter bigger difficulties, you can find a good mechanic to help you out.