Following along with your instincts when fixing a vehicle is not always the best thing to do. This is why you must know some very basic facts. Getting repairs done can be nerve-wracking, with how important your car is. However, these tips can help you have a smoother experience.
You need to buy a good battery charger and have it in your vehicle at all times. Dead batteries are common, and a good battery charger will come in handy more than once. Find out where to connect the charger to your car.
Get to know your owner’s manual, or take the time to note important information. When you need to go to an auto repair shop, the professionals you are dealing with will want to know certain information regarding your car. You may also find answers to your problems, inside.
If your headlights look dimmer than they used to, be sure they’re clean. Debris from streets can get into your lights, decreasing the light they give. Cleaning your lights with a glass cleaner will allow them to perform better.
Before you bring your car to a repair shop, try to determine what is wrong with your car. You can save a lot of money by diagnosing it yourself, and it could also protect you from being a victim of fraud. As you have likely heard, some mechanics will lie about the problem in order to make more money.
Verify that a prospective mechanic is familiar with your specific car. There are certain specifics which he needs to know before doing any repairs. It may be worth the extra cost to have a specialized dealer fix a major problem with your car.
Spare Tire
Keep a spare tire and jack in your trunk. Many new cars have these. Being stuck without a spare tire and jack means you will have to get your car towed. It is much easier and inexpensive to do it yourself.
If your taillight or headlight burns out, you may save a ton repairing them yourself. Some vehicles have a simpler system than others, but you can save a lot by doing it yourself regardless of how complex your system is. See if you can get instructions from someone you trust.
Educate yourself about questions to ask your mechanic before you go to the shop. There are three conditions: salvage, new, and rebuilt and re-manufactured. Parts that are new are recently created to fit manufacturer specifications. “Re-manufactered, rebuilt and reconditioned” are parts that are restored to a good working condition. Salvaged parts are those that have some wear and tear to them.
Watch out for the type of shop that will take off your good tires and put old ones on. They do this to gain money from your lack of knowledge. Mark your tires before you drop your car off. Make sure you check your tires before you leave the garage to make sure they are the ones you drove in on.
Read your owner’s manual when you get a new car. You need to learn the manual so that you can find information right away. This little book holds a lot of information about your vehicle.
Test Drive
Bleed your brakes before you take your car on a test drive. Once done, give the brake fluid a pump. Look for leaks and make sure the fluid will not run out. Once you are finished with this, you are ready to rock-and-roll on the road and take that baby for a test drive on a street that has minimal traffic. Be slow when you start so you’re sure of whether or not the repair worked.
OEM is the Manufacturer’s Original Equipment. Remember this when you need a part replaced on your car. You will sound like a knowledgeable person on auto repair by telling your mechanic to install OEM parts. This could very well prevent someone from outfitting your car with old parts.
How would you like a less stressful experience the next time you need your car repaired. Though auto repairs are no fun, these tips can make it easier to deal with. Use these tips and take control of your car’s needs.