Your car can become one of your most expensive and time consuming investments if you are not sure how to take care of it. It is important to familiarize yourself with your car and learn more about simple methods you can use to fix small problems. Continue reading for some great tips to save money and time.

Prior to letting a mechanic touch your vehicle, ensure that they are A.S.E certified. This certification guarantees that the mechanic has been tested and has more than two years of experience. This is one good way to separate the wheat from the chaff when picking a good mechanic.

Wash your car regularly to prevent rust from becoming a problem. Cars eventually rust, but you can put off the process by washing off chemicals or salt quickly. Wax your car to keep paint in good condition, too.

Once an auto shop has made repairs to your car, test drive it to ensure they did a good job prior to paying them. Many people fail to do this and they end up having the same problem that they had before taking the car in to get it repaired.

Buy OEM parts. These parts are the genuine article, produced by your car’s original manufacturer. Generic may be cheaper, but you don’t know the quality of these parts as time goes on. What may seem like a deal now can cost twice as much as buying OEM in the first place.

Put together an auto repair kit and keep it in your trunk. Your tool kit should have equipment to change a tire and other necessary items. You need to get yourself a lug nut wrench and a jack, as well. Also, it is wise to have screwdrivers, a ratchet set, Phillips head screwdrivers and wrenches. Don’t buy low-quality tools. Solid and sturdy tools are ideal so you don’t have to worry about them malfunctioning.

Look at all lights that flash on the dashboard and learn what they mean. They are meant to help; use them to your advantage. Ignoring these warning lights will not make the problem go away.

Be sure you know how often the oil needs changing. Oil has to be changed often for a car to perform properly. Neglecting this part of your car can reduce the lifespan of your car.

Keep in mind that you don’t need the dealer for auto repairs. Great mechanics abound in local garages. Trust someone that you’re comfortable with.

Warranties really come in handy when you need to replace parts. Ask the mechanic about the parts’ warranty. Choose parts that are guaranteed for a few years and do not hesitate to ask for the printed warranty contract.

Original Equipment Manufacturer is often referred to as OEM. Remember this when you have car parts replaced. Informing your mechanic that you require OEM replacement parts will demonstrate your familiarity with repair services. This will make someone less likely to try placing used parts on your vehicle.

Consistency is key when it comes to vehicle repairs and maintenance. Choose a trustworthy shop and stick with them. Every shop will vary in what they do and how they treat your vehicle. Many shops may charge more money and may not do a better job.

Going to the dealership can be costly, however it is usually the best option. The mechanics at the dealership are experts in the type of vehicle you have. They are trained to quickly diagnose problems commonly found in the type of car you own. There are many training programs that they have to pass to become certified.

If a mechanic hesitates about giving you a written estimate, do not use him. If the work is not up to par, it is difficult to have any recourse with nothing in writing to back you up.

When you find a reliable repair shop that does quality repairs, show them you appreciate their work by giving them your return business. Making sure that you’re familiar with who is working on your car is going to help you to be sure they’re doing good work. You might even get discounts because you are loyal.

Washer Fluid

You should never fill your windshield wiper compartment with water. Even though water can clean the windshield, the windshield washer system is designed to receive washer fluid and using some water could damage it. Monitor your windshield washer fluid container on a regular basis, and refill it when necessary. Even though the compartment may be empty, don’t add water.

As mentioned earlier, learning some basic repairs for your car has many long-term benefits. Besides teaching others and relying on yourself when you’re having car issues, you can save tons of cash. So keep these tips handy, and next time, you will be able to repair your car yourself.