Smith 
As a person that owns a car, you’re aware how frustrating issues are and how common they happen. By learning a little bit about automotive repairs, you can save yourself a great deal of stress and money. Make use of the valuable vehicle repair advice found in this article. These tips will help you save significant money in the future.
Check your radiator often. Let the car run briefly, shut the engine, then open the hood. You never want to open up the radiator if your car is still running. With a dipstick, check your radiator fluid. Before adding more coolant remember to mix it with water.
Make sure to study your owners manual. This will help you when it comes time for you to visit your mechanic if a major problem occurs. You can even find that reading the manual can help you fix the issue.
Test drive your vehicle after repairs before paying the auto repair shop. Skipping this step is a common error that causes folks to end up with the same issue they have paid to have fixed.
Avoid mechanics who charge you for repairs that are not really needed. A good mechanic should let you know if they noticed parts that are starting to get worn down and will need to be replaced soon but they should not replace the part without your approval. Never take your vehicle to a mechanic that preforms unnecessary repairs.
Make sure the mechanic can work on your particular car. Cars vary greatly by make and model so it is important that your mechanic is familiar with your make and model of car. The safe route is to pay a little more to have a dealer’s specialized techs work on the car.
Keep a spare tire and jack handy at all times. They are included with most new vehicles. There is nothing worse than being stranded far from home and having to get an expensive tow. Changing that tire yourself can save you the cost of towing.
When your headlights or taillights burn out, you can save a lot of money on repairs if you do it yourself. In some vehicles, this repair is easier than in others. But, if you can do it yourself, you will save money. Ask an experienced friend to give you some pointers.
Avoid attaching your car keys to a heavy key chain or detach your keys every time you drive. Though it may not seem to be all that heavy, your car’s ignition cannot handle that much weight pulling down on the key. If your key starts sticking, you need to get new tumblers and no longer use that little troll head keychain!
Pay attention to all of the lights that flash in the dashboard, and make sure that you understand what each of them mean. These lights give you a good indication of when your vehicle needs some maintenance. Do not ignore these lights or you might have to pay for more expensive repairs later on.
Check the tire pressure each time you fill up on gas. Look at the tires and make sure that they there is nothing embedded in them. If you see something wrong, make sure to fix the problem immediately. Driving around with bad tires is not something you should ever do.
Warranties are very important when you get your car fixed, especially if you invest in expensive parts. Be sure and ask the mechanic what the warranty is on the parts that they have ordered. Find out how long the warranty lasts and ask for a printed version of the contract so you can review it.
Lookout for claims that are too good to be true. Often, this is how businesses try to reel you in. For instance, some vehicles come with a claim of “lifetime” transmission fluid. This fluid does last longer, but you still should change it approximately every 80,000 miles.
Not many people invest the time in reading their car’s owner manual. To better know your car, you should look over this manual. This will allow you to maintain and perform minor repairs on your vehicle.
Auto Repair
Consistency counts for something in auto repair. Make sure to find a good auto repair shop and then stick with it. Different shops may give you a different diagnosis of your car’s problems. They could also charge you more; don’t let this happen.
Auto repairs at a dealership can be very pricey. The dealer mechanics are specialists concerning your type of vehicle. They can find problems easily and are trained to fix problems that are common with your car. They must also receive training throughout the course of their employment.
You should always get back the old part a mechanic has removed after a new part has been installed. When the mechanic says no, it’s likely that he never actually replaced the part. Unfortunately, this may be a warning that the mechanic is not being truthful.
Request a written estimate from mechanics that charge you over $200. This helps you with complaints down the road. Your mechanic will not be tempted to add more fees to your final bill if you already have a detailed written quote.
Educate yourself about your car so you know more about how it works. If you understand how it works, you might not always need to pay for a mechanic to fix things. You can save some money later by changing your oil or tires yourself.
No one enjoys dealing with mechanical issues when it comes to cars. They may also cost you quite a bit of money. By educating yourself on car repair basics and utilizing the automotive repair tips and advice outlined in this article you can keep your car running in tip-top shape and avoid spending thousands of dollars on professional auto mechanics.