A primer on basic understanding of auto repair services is really a necessity for anybody who owns (or even just drives) a car. This article is filled with tips you can use to keep your vehicle over the years.
If something is unclear, clarify it with the service adviser or mechanic before starting any repair on the car. You do not want to be surprised with added charges when you go to get the car.
Make sure that you are receiving OEM parts. These means they are original components from the manufacturer. Generic parts may cost less, but you don't know the quality of these parts as time goes on. It may cost twice the amount later as OEM components to begin with.
Make sure any mechanic you hire knows about your particular car. If you're not comfortable with your mechanic working on your car, consider having a dealer repair your vehicle.
Replacing a burnt-out headlight or headlights yourself can save you both time and money. It's easy in some vehicles, but it's more cost effective than hiring a mechanic. Ask someone you know can teach you how to fix it.
Speak with friends about where they get their auto shop recommendations before you pick a shop. Your family and friends may have some good recommendations for you that will make your search much easier. You should still always do your research however. Check online reviews about the shop in question.
Check the car's tire pressure each time you fill your tank. Look at them and make sure they don't have anything embedded in them. You don't want to have to drive around with damaged tires.
Avoid diagnosing your own car problems yourself.What you may think is an easy fix may be a hard one, especially in the newer electric cars and also the newer computerized vehicles. Let the auto shop diagnose your problem. Give them every detail about what happened and if there were any sounds associated with the problem, but leave the final diagnosis to them.
Some untrustworthy shops replace your tired with even older ones. They profit from your ignorance. Mark your tires with some chalks before you drop your car to an auto shop. If the chalk isn't there, you have been victimized.
It is quite common for customers to find out about other problems when they pick up their vehicle from an auto shop. They do this to make it look like you think you're getting a great deal. Tell them that you're going to have to talk to them later so that you want to take a few hours to make a decision and then call around for quotes from other shops.
Test Drive
Bleed your brakes before you take your car out on a test drive. Test for any leaks to ensure you don't have fluid can run out. You can test drive your vehicle on low-traffic roads. Start out slowly to make sure that the repair is done well before risking higher speeds.
Consistency is key in auto repair world. Stick to a trusted mechanic whom you have used before instead of going around to various ones for work. Different mechanics may find different diagnosis of your car's problems. They could charge you more; don't let this happen.
AAA is a good company to look into when you need auto repair issues. You are going to find discounts on an annual AAA has many discount options in place.
Keep track of all your mechanic receipts in an accordion folder in your car. You can categorize them chronologically or by service repair type. This is particularly valuable when it is time to sell your vehicle and want to let the buyer know about how much you invested in the vehicle.
Set an expense limit that you are willing to let the mechanic reach without specific authorization. Don't simply allow the shop to make whatever repairs they want after your drop off your car. Set a specific amount which cannot be exceeded if they don't call you by phone first.
Pay attention to any unusual sounds coming from your car is making. Noise can indicate a problem.
Ask to get your old parts when a mechanic replaces a part. This helps you know whether the repairs have been performed. This isn't particularly necessary for exhaust system changed.It will be obvious if a brand new system is put in place.
Ask anyone you know to recommend a mechanic recommendation. This is a great way to locate a person you know. It is far better than taking a chance on a mechanic that you don't know anything about.
You will have many options as to where you want your vehicle fixed. Garages that are independent are going to cost you a little less, but you may end up dealing with someone dishonest.
Seek a second opinions prior to committing to major repairs done on you car. The mechanic may be offended or offer a special price to do repairs right away, but be suspicious of this.
Find a technician that's familiar with your vehicle. Ask whoever will be responsible for the repairs if they have experience with your particular make and model of vehicle.
Keep good records of any repairs your vehicle. Keep this log in you can. This will be of great help as your mechanic see any problems that could arise even if you're not having them now. This is able to save a lot of time.
Don't buy into the tune up at 100K miles. This is a fallacy and nothing more. You would be better be served by adhering to the maintenance instructions in the manual that came with your car.
Keeping your car in proper running order is a necessary chore of life for most people. Not everyone knows how to find a good mechanic or do their own repairs. Utilize the concepts above to help your car keep running smoothly.