How To Keep Your Car In Proper Working Order
If you own a car, you understand how often car trouble can occur. The more you know about auto repairs, the more time and money you will save. Make use of the valuable vehicle repair advice found in this article. It will be handy later on.
Check your radiator often. Run your car, turn it off then pop the hood. You should never open your radiator whenever your car is turned on. Use a dipstick to check the radiator's fluid level, and remember to always mix water in with your coolant if need be. Some coolants come premixed.
Purchase motor oil on sale and in discount stores and keep two or three bottles in the trunk of your car. Check your oil every time you fill your gas tank. If you find that your oil level is low, you will save lots of money by having your own oil on hand rather than purchasing it at a gas station for inflated prices.
Basic maintenance like oil changes are actually very easy to do yourself. You only need at ramp, a pan, and a few basic tools. Just be sure to check with your city or county government beforehand to find out where to take your waste oil. It is extremely damaging to the environment, and you could face steep fines for dumping it out.
Independent garages and mechanics are usually much cheaper than dealerships. You might get a discount at your dealership if you purchased your car recently but do not make a habit of going to your dealership if you find their prices too expensive. Find out about local independent garages with a good reputation instead.
Be open to asking any questions that cross your mind. Auto repair is a very complex thing. You will have questions, and don't feel intimidated about asking them. If you don't, you may not completely understand why the repairs were needed in the first place or how costly the current situation really is.
Avoid costly car repairs by sticking to the maintenance schedule of your car's manufacturer. By doing regular maintenance on your car when necessary, you will avoid having to fix things due to maintenance neglect. Not sticking to the maintenance schedule will result in unnecessary repairs which could have been avoided.
Verify that a prospective mechanic is familiar with your specific car. Cars vary greatly by make and model so it is important that your mechanic is familiar with your make and model of car. If you are not sure, spend the extra money and go to an authorized dealer.
Assemble an auto repair kit and put it inside of your trunk. Your tool kit should have equipment to change a tire and other necessary items. If the necessary lug wrench and jack are missing, replace them. Basic tools such as screw drivers, wrenches, socket wrenches, torque wrench and other basic tools are also handy to have. Don't buy inexpensive tools. Buy quality ones that you are sure won't fail when you really need them.
Know your car before taking it in for any auto repairs. If you have little knowledge on the specs of your model car, you may end up being taken for a ride without you knowing it. Read through your manual at the bare minimum before going for any larger repairs.
Don't be afraid to ask as many questions as you need. It is your car, and you need to know why it is important to fix a specific item right away. If you are feeling intimated, or you are not receiving straight answers, get a second opinion before signing off on the work.
Keep a basic repair kit in your car trunk at all times. A simple kit consisting of wrenches, jumper cables, screws, and a jack can be a lifesaver if your car breaks down on the road. This will allow you to make small repairs on the spot, saving you the cost of an expensive tow truck.
Make sure you know where your owner's manual is and use it! If there is a problem with your car, you will be lost without it. Sometimes, an issue is simply a result of a lack of understanding. Pick it up, read through it, and see if you can figure out what is going on.
Choose a mechanic that is happy to explain the problem to you. Some mechanics feel that they know so much that the customer could never understand, but even if you do not fully understand the problem or what is being done, they should be happy to try their best to inform you about it. It is a huge sign that they are a good mechanic all-around.
Automobile problems are extremely frustrating and annoying. They are often quite expensive as well. 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.