Not much beats owning your own vehicle. You can go wherever you want, at any time you want. This also means that it may break down at inconvenient times and leave you stranded somewhere. The following article can help you know more about auto repair.

Get a reliable battery charger and be sure it is always in your car. Dead batteries happen a lot, and you can provide assistance to others if you keep a charger on hand. Familiarize yourself with how the charger hooks up to your battery.

Ask for referrals to find a great mechanic. Talk to anyone you know and get recommendations from them. Ask them how good the work was, how much they were charged, and if they were satisfied. They can let you know if they had a good experience and whether or not the mechanic was trustworthy and honest.

Know your auto manual very well, or at least dog ear important pages. Your mechanic will need the manual for certain information. You may even find, when you read the manual, that what you think is an issue is easily fixed.

You car records need to be kept on hand. It’s wise to keep them in your glove compartment in case you need to go to a auto repair shop on the fly. The records will be vital to your mechanic. They can diagnose issues quicker.

Basic Tools

You should have basic tools in your car at all times. The tools you need include tire changing equipment, which usually come with a car. You should also have a lug wrench and a jack. Basic tools such as screw drivers, wrenches, socket wrenches, torque wrench and other basic tools are also handy to have. Always purchase quality tools. Buy quality ones that you are sure won’t fail when you really need them.

Look into an auto repair person that uses their own personal garage. They may have learned through experience but still be competent, and are likely to have a lower labor rate. This can save you a lot of money, and at the same time, help out a small auto shop instead of letting a big shop profit.

Don’t have too many keychains or other items on your key fob. The ignition on your car is not devised to hold all the weight, even when you don’t consider it heavy. If your key starts sticking, you need to get new tumblers and no longer use that little troll head keychain!

Be certain to understand when your oil needs changing. Oil has to be changed often for a car to perform properly. When your car does not get its oil changed on schedule, its life span can be shortened, so be sure that you remember the schedule.

A dealer is not your only option when car repairs are necessary. There are several reputable technicians in auto shops and at dealerships. Check out all of your options and go with the mechanic that you feel most comfortable with.

Consider taking pictures of all areas of your vehicle before you bring it in to be repaired at an auto body shop. Most shops are reputable but there are always a few bad apples out there. Keep track of serial numbers on parts, just in case.

If your car has been having a small problem that you think is minor, it may be a good idea to have it checked out anyway. A small problem can become a big one if it is left unchecked.

A good mechanic will likely have some credentials. There are automotive excellence awards given to technicians for consumers to be aware of. You will get better service if you go to a mechanic who has been approved by this organization.

Have you ever wondered what OEM means? These initials mean Original Equipment Manufacturer. This is good to know whenever your car or truck requires new parts. You will seem like you know what you are talking about if you tell a mechanic you only want OEM parts. There will be far less danger of receiving used parts.

Routine Maintenance

Some things you can do yourself, including adding oil and other fluids. It is a myth that only professional auto mechanics can do routine maintenance jobs. If you know how to do routine maintenance, go ahead and do it.

When you get a diagnosis of your vehicle’s problem, think about what you want to do before you commit to any repairs. Call other garages or dealerships and ask how much they would charge you for the kind of repairs the first mechanic is advocating. If you find something less expensive, pay them for their labor, but take your car somewhere else.

Store auto repair records in a file folder kept in the vehicle. Sort your receipts by type or date. Whichever method you choose, this will be helpful for mechanics when they need to make additional repairs. This is particularly valuable when it is time to sell your car.

Establish a set amount that you are willing and able to pay for repairs. Anything above that amount should require your explicit approval. Whenever you visit a shop, you should never allow the mechanics to perform very costly repairs on their own. You should set a dollar limit that cannot be exceeded unless authorized by you beforehand.

Never get any work done if the mechanic is giving you a hard time about providing a written estimate. If he does not do the work correctly, you will have a hard time recovering any damages, because you will have no proof of the work that he was contracted to do.

Not all auto repairs will cost large sums of money. A lot of the time you will be able to fix a problem by yourself. Use these tips to get the vehicle started again.