Wednesday, 27 November 2013

Cheap Auto Repair: Top Tips To Keep Your Car Running Smooth


It can be expensive to repair a car. You have two major expenses: the cost of the parts and paying the mechanic to repair the car. Do you want to save money by performing the tasks on your own? The following tips will help you do so.


You don’t always need a repair-person for your car troubles. There are several things that can be fixed quite easily. You can always go online and try to diagnose the problem and educate yourself to the possibilities. Simple repairs that do not require special tools can be done by yourself, and can save you money.


In order to prevent rust to your car, wash it on a regular basis. Rust is an inevitability, but you can stave it off for a good while. Using a wax will protect the paint job significantly.



TIP! Ensure the mechanic you use has an ASE certification before allowing them to operate on your vehicle. This type of certification means two years experience and also a passed written test.

Be careful that your mechanic does not attempt to perform unneeded repairs. Make sure that you give your approval first before a repair is done. Never return to a mechanic that ripped you off.


If your headlights are not shining as brightly, check to see if they are clean. The roads you drive on sometimes contain greasy residues, which can get on your lights. Therefore, this will reduce the brightness of your lights. Use a quality glass cleaning product and improve the situation dramatically.


Assemble an auto repair kit and put it inside of your trunk. Basic tools that should be included are tire changing tools. A car jack and a lug wrench are essential tools to have. Also have a few tools like a socket set, both a regular and Phillips head screwdriver, a crescent wrench and a torque wrench. Do not waste money by getting cheap tools. Get sturdy, quality tools that will not break on you.



TIP! Be prepared for any emergency by equipping your car with a well stocked emergency kit. This kit should include specific tools for charging your battery, changing your tire, etc.

See if you can find someone who is knowledgeable about cars to do the work for you. As long as he knows what he is doing, he can charge less for the same work. You can support small business and save hundreds on the cost of the repair.


Before you decide on an auto shop, ask your friends to talk about their car repair experiences. Friends and family can help with recommendations. Still, you should do some research on the shops they recommend. Check online to see if there is other information or reviews about the shop in question.


You should know and pay attention to your dashboard’s warning lights. Your dashboard lights warn you of potential problems. If you simply overlook them for months on end, there is a chance your vehicle might sustain irreparable damage.



TIP! Always ask lots of questions when your car is at the shop. Your questions should focus on the problems your car has and also what steps you can take to prevent this problem from occurring in the future.

Understand that visiting your dealer for auto repair work is not always necessary. There are many great technicians all over the place. If you find one you like, you should hire him.







Every time you get gas, you should also check the pressure of your tires. 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. You don’t want to have to drive around with bad tires.


Even if you think your vehicle just has a minor issue, it pays to get it looked at just the same. Even small issues can lead to much larger ones.



TIP! It is not always necessary to call a repairman when you have car trouble. There are many things you can fix easily.

Ask about other potential problems so that there will be so surprises when you come to pick up your car, They do this to make you think you are getting a bargain. Let them know that you will let them know, and search other shops to see if a better price is available.


Keep your mechanic receipts in a file in your glove box. Consider separating records by maintenance type or by year. No matter which way you choose, having complete car records can help the mechanic when you need more repairs and help you if you aren’t satisfied with a repair. All in all, it will come in handy.


If the car must be in storage, avoid paying for repairs by putting it on some jack stands and keeping its tank filled. Make sure the storage area is dry, to keep the car from rusting, and do not put on the emergency brakes.



TIP! Referrals will lead you to a great mechanic. Ask friends, family or co-workers for recommendations.

Exhaust System


Try asking your mechanic to hand over any parts that get replaced when you’re next having work done on your car. You will be able to determine if a repair actually took place. For some repairs, such as your exhaust system, this isn’t necessary. It is easy to ascertain that your exhaust system has been replaced.


Don’t neglect asking your friends for their recommendations on what auto shop is best. This is a great method since your friend has personal experience with them. It certainly beats taking a chance on a mechanic you don’t know anything about.



TIP! Be mindful whether additional repairs recommended are really necessary. A mechanic that’s good will tell you whether or not a pert is beginning to wear out, but they’re not going to replace things without your permission first.

Do not try to repair your own car unless you’re sure you know what you’re doing. You may make problems worse or void a warranty by doing the work yourself. This will mean you’re responsible financially for all future issues.


Tire, brake, electrical or steering wheel problems must be tended to immediately. Not getting these problems taken care of is a threat to your safety.


Every car is going to need some form of repair at one point or another. Repairs can be done in the repair shop by a mechanic, or right in your own driveway if you do the work yourself. Doing your own auto repairs is really not as hard as you might think and can save you a ton of money. This information will help you do that, so do not be afraid.



TIP! Take all valuable items out of your vehicle before taking it in for repairs. If something is missing, it will be your fault if you do not take it out.




Cheap Auto Repair: Top Tips To Keep Your Car Running Smooth

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