Smith 
Anyone who owns a car knows that it is a matter of time before something will need to be repaired. When you educate yourself on the subject, you can save lots of money and reduce a lot of stress. Use the tips from this article when repairing your vehicle. You will find it useful when your car next encounters a problem.
Make sure all repair records are kept close. You may want to store them in the glove compartment for easy access. The mechanics who work on your car will need to see your maintenance records before working on your car. This can make the process go more smoothly.
Do not let mechanics do repairs that are not warranted on your car. All reputable mechanics will notify you before doing any repairs and will inform you of any parts that could require repairs in the immediate future. If a mechanic tries to charge you for unneeded repairs, find another mechanic.
Spare Tire
A spare tire and a jack are essential items to keep in your trunk. The majority of new cars have them automatically. Being stuck without a spare tire and jack means you will have to get your car towed. It is simpler and cheaper to handle it on your own.
Don’t neglect wiper blades. If your windshield wipers are not cleaning your windshield probably or if they make a lot of noise, you need to replace them. Your wiper blades should be replaced at least once each year.
Before going with a particular shop, get auto repair feedback from your friends. They have used mechanics before and can fill you in on their experiences. You should still always do some research on the person they tell you about. Go online and see what else is being said about the shop.
Your car key should not have tons of fluffy keychains on it. Your car’s ignition is simply not designed to hold all that weight, even if it may not seem that heavy to you. If your key starts sticking, you need to get new tumblers and no longer use that little troll head keychain!
Put reminders on your calendar that tell you when to have your oil changed. Your vehicle may mot run smoothly or efficiently if you do not take this important step. Be sure to remember this, because making sure you get an oil change on time can help extend your vehicle’s life.
When you get gas, always check tire pressure. Closely inspect your tires to ensure nothing is wrong with them. It is important to get your tires fixed right away if there is something wrong. It is very dangerous driving on bad tires.
It’s wise to get car issues checked out, even when you think they’re minor. Sometimes, the smallest issue can escalate to a major problem if not attended to in a timely manner.
Keep an eye open for a shop that takes off your good tires and puts older ones on. Some shops will try to squeeze every dollar out of you. Therefore, always put a little chalk on them so you can identify your tires. If you find the chalk is missing later on, question the shop about what happened.
Don’t let a mechanic insist that an engine flush is part of a normal maintenance visit. This is an expensive service that is unnecessary unless your car has been neglected, such as not receiving regular oil changes.
You should be consistent with where you get your car repaired. Don’t visit different shops every time you need something done. Not all shops will give your car the same diagnosis for it’s problems. The amounts they charge you may vary and you may have to pay more.
If you don’t have basic knowledge about the car, you can’t recognize if something is going wrong. If you feel your knowledge is very limited, auto repair classes can be a worthwhile endeavor. While attending a car class may not be your idea of fun, simple maintenance information can save you money in the long term. It will also help you diagnose issues and teach you how to perform preventative maintenance on your vehicle.
Written Estimate
If your mechanic does not want to give a written estimate on repairing your car, do not get the work done there. You should get a written estimate so that you have proof of what he promised to do.
Ask your mechanic a lot of questions. It is important to know the full story about your repairs, not just what it is going to cost. How long does the repair take to complete? Ask about the kind of work done to your vehicle. How much will it cost you? Make a long list of questions. This will not only show the mechanic that you are well informed, it will also help should the same issue pop up again.
If they do great work at a auto shop you’ve been to, try going to them when you need future work done. If you have a positive relationship with your auto repair shop, you can feel sure your car will be repaired properly. You might also receive a loyalty discount.
When you take your vehicle for repairs, the first person you meet is the mechanic. However, if you aren’t comfortable with someone, don’t use them. You want to watch for suspicious interactions, such as no eye contact, ignoring questions and fast talking. This means that they are likely hiding something and will not be honest about repairs.
Modern cars are fitted with all types of sensors that will tell you if problems are detected. However, you do not want to rely on them alone. The bulb could have been disconnected or burned out, so check your car manually once in a while.
Problems with your automobile can be very annoying, a source of great frustration. They may also cost an arm and a leg. If you learn a little about the basics of car repair and apply the tips in this article, you will be able to keep your vehicle running and save yourself a lot of cash.