Content by-Velazquez Secher

If you own a car, you know how frustrating and common car problems can be. However, if you learn a little about repairs and maintenance, you could find some relief in your wallet in the future. Apply the tips in this article to your life. You will be glad you have it the next time you need to deal with vehicle repairs.

Before you hand over your car to the shop, be sure you are clear about the repair costs. When you're not sure, ask until you feel clear. If you do not communicate with your mechanic, you might be surprised with additional fees once you receive your bill.

Be sure to read your owner's manual to find out what kinds of fluids (oil, brake fluid, transmission fluid, steering fluid) your car needs and to learn how to check and top these off yourself. Keep a few bottles of each fluid in the trunk of your car in case of emergencies.

If you are worried about an auto body shop puffing up the amount of work that needs to be done, go and get free diagnostics from somewhere else. Since there is no guarantee you will get work done by them, they have no reason to claim there is more needed than necessary.

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 use this link 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.

Be sure to ask for detailed pricing estimates before leaving your car with a mechanic. A lot of places will put rates in the fine print and so you need to read over any paperwork carefully. Also find out how you are to be billed. A lot of places will give you an estimate of how long this will take that they were given by various manufacturers. Some minor repairs might be considered as an all day job by some manufacturers.

Do not leave any items in your vehicle if you are taking it to be repaired. To get the job done, mechanics may have to remove your things and if something should end up missing, they cannot be held responsible. Remove all items from your trunk too.

Fixing a headlight or a taillight by yourself is very easy. While it's easier in some vehicles than others, it's a whole lot cheaper to do it yourself. Ask a friend if they can show you how it should be done.

If you are planning a DIY auto repair, be sure to give yourself plenty of time to complete it. Start early in the day with all of the tools, parts and fluids that you will need close at hand. Remember that, no matter how well you plan, something unexpected will come up and consume your time. Avoid running out of daylight by getting an early start that will allow you to cope with the unexpected.

Be sure the mechanic you choose is properly certified. You should especially check for the A.S.E Seal of Approval from the Nat'l Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. This will tell you if they are properly trained and will provide you with quality service.





transmissions repair phoenix ; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen>


Always ask in advance how much labor costs at that particular shop. In fact, do not give them your keys until you have a clear understanding of what you will be charged. Many times, this information is not posted in an obvious place, so it is important to know what you are getting yourself into.

Unless it is required by your car's warranty, don't feel obligated to use the repair shop at the dealership. There are many reputable independent auto repair shops and they are often cheaper. Ask your friends and family members for a recommendation if you are unsure which shops in your area are trustworthy.

Keep a log that includes information on any maintenance that you have ever done on your car. To make things easy, put this log in your glove compartment box. If there is an issue with your car, this information can help the technician figure out what is going on much more quickly.

If you are looking to extend your car's life, do not accelerate too quickly immediately after starting it up. Especially in cold weather, racing the engine of your car will result in it deteriorating more quickly and contributing to accelerated wear and tear. Rather, accelerate slowly when you begin to drive.

Never feel like you have to go to your dealer for any sort of auto repairs or maintenance. In fact, the dealer could be rather pricey compared an unaffiliated (yet still quality) local auto repair shop. Do your homework about where you are considering going, and then make the best call for yourself.

Always get a second opinion before you have an expensive repair done. No one is perfect, so there is a chance that the shop is wrong about what is needed done. Additionally, you may be able to find someone to do the work for a far cheaper price than what your original shop quoted you.

Trust your gut when choosing a mechanic. The employees at the auto repair shop should look you in the eye, make you feel comfortable, answer any questions you have clearly and provide any pricing information you request. A shop that fails to meet these basic requirements probably does not have your best interest at heart.

You should never fill your windshield wiper compartment with water. While water may clean your windshield, that compartment is designed for a specific fluid. You should check the level in the compartment and refill it regularly. But don't try to add more if it is already full.

If you have experienced some body damage to your vehicle, it is always a good idea to also have the mechanical parts checked out. Even if there does not appear to be any damage, any kind of impact that caused damage on the outside could easily have knocked things loose under the hood.

Have you ever wanted to just magically tap your shoes together and go home when something happens to your car? Don't crawl into the fetal position, but instead take control of the situation using the tips that you've read here. There is no reason to be scared away from taking care of your own when it comes to your mode of transportation.