If you drive regularly, you need to know the basics of auto repair. Unfortunately, too many people do not have such an understanding. Luckily, the article below has some great tips that will help you keep your car in tip top shape.
Don’t underestimate how important it is to have some kind of emergency kit within your vehicle. You need tools to change a flat tire, charge a battery, and you must have spare gas. For night time breakdowns, make sure to include warm blankets and a flashlight with extra batteries.
Inspect your radiator once in a while. You need to allow your car to run for a couple of minutes, shut down the engine and then open up the hood. Never open the radiator while the car is on. Check the level of fluid in radiator and add any if necessary. Be mindful that some coolants are meant to be mixed with 50% water.
You do not have to call a mechanic every time you are having car trouble. Some of the work can be done on your own, as there are problems that are relatively easy to repair. If you would like to try it, you can research on the problem online. If the job is a simple one, you might save a bit of money if you make repairs on your own.
Make sure the repair shop technician is familiar with the particular model of your vehicle. If they have, there is a good chance they will be able to repair your car.
Ask for referrals to find a great mechanic. See if co-workers, friends, neighbors, or family members have any recommendations. You can inquire about price, work quality and overall satisfaction. People will let you know what kind of things they had to deal with and if the person was honest.
Record each repair that you have done on your car. If your car has issues in the future, it is useful to be able to give your mechanic all such records. If you don’t have a record of past work, it may cost you money and make it hard for the technician to diagnose the problem.
Try to get OEM parts for your car. OEM parts means that part was produced by the manufacturer specifically for your make and model of vehicle. Generic parts may be cheaper, but the quality may not be the same as OEM parts. What is a cheap option now could be an expensive option later.
Driving cars means you must be responsible for keeping them in good condition. However, quite a few people aren’t aware that they can really learn how to take care of their vehicles. If you keep this advice in mind, you’ll have no issues keeping your car on the road.