Owning your own automobile can give you a wonderful sense of freedom. You are free to move about the country as you please. Of course, this means that your car can break down at the most inconvenient time, leaving you stranded by the side of the road. These tips should help you get back on the road in the least amount of time.
Check the radiator regularly. You need to allow your car to run for a couple of minutes, shut down the engine and then open up the hood. Do not lift the radiator lid when the engine is running or if it is too hot. Check the amount of fluid in your radiator with your dipstick and remember to mix the coolant with some water.
Prior to handing over your keys, be sure you have a good idea of the repair cost. If you don’t understand something, clarify your concerns with the mechanic or service adviser before they work on the car. If you do not communicate with your mechanic, you might be surprised with additional fees once you receive your bill.
You need to see if the mechanic has ever done work on the exact same type of car before. A mechanic who has experience with the make and model you are driving will be able to diagnose issues quickly.
Every time you’re going to have an automobile repaired, you have to get a record of what is done to it. If your car ends up with more problems later on, your mechanic will appreciate having access to your past records. Without records, you might have to pay higher costs due to taking longer to find the problem.
Research any auto repair service station online. This will also allow you to know what the public thinks of how they handle customers and how good they are at solving any problem you may encounter. You can then use that information to pick a shop that you can feel comfortable giving your money to.
Try to get OEM parts for your car. These are original manufacturer parts. Although using generic parts may provide some short-term savings, it’s impossible to know whether or not they’ll hold up as well as OEM parts. What is a cheap option now could be an expensive option later.
Do not leave valuable items in the interior of your car if you need to leave it at the repair shop. The mechanic might need to move these things so they can do the job, and they won’t assume responsibility if anything comes up missing. Also, be sure to remove everything from the trunk.
Inspect your vehicle to figure out what is wrong before taking it to an auto shop. You can save a ton of cash via diagnosing the issue yourself, and you could prevent fraud. Unfortunately, some shops are less than honest when diagnosing issues.
If your taillight or headlight burns out, you may save a ton repairing them yourself. It is simple to do on some cars and can save you a lot of money. Ask someone you know if they can instruct you on how to do it.
Wiper Blades
Keep up with your wiper blades. If your windshield wipers are no longer keeping the rain off your windshield, or if they make noise or leave streaks, it is time to replace them. Wiper blades should be replaced at a minimum of once per year, or more than that if you reside in a particularly wet climate.
Avoid attaching your car keys to a heavy key chain or detach your keys every time you drive. The ignition cannot hold the weight of a big key chain. If your key starts sticking, you need to change the tumblers and eliminate the troll buddy that’s weighing down your keychain!
Before you settle on a mechanic, inquire about their rates and prices. If you have questions on the service, pose them immediately. How will you be billed? Many car dealerships may charge by “book time” which is a set rate based on how long the repair should take to do. Other shops may charge an inflated rate for a minor repair that should be done within a shorter period of time.
Pay attention to all of the lights that flash in the dashboard, and make sure that you understand what each of them mean. They are there for a warning so it is to your benefit to be aware of what they are warning you about. Problems will worsen if you simply ignore them.
Many times people take their vehicle in to be repaired, and when they return to pick it up they are told about additional issues. They do this to make you think you are getting a bargain. Let them know you will get back with them so that you can try to locate a better deal.
If you get an estimate from a mechanic, tell them you need a few hours to think about it before making your decision. Call around and get more quotes before making your decision. If the price quoted is excessive, pay for the diagnosis and leave.
Keep your mechanic receipts in a file in your glove box. Have them divided by the kind of repairs done or put them in chronological order, with the newest receipts first. You just want to make sure you have a full maintenance record for the car so that you can ensure proper repairs and full satisfaction should a dispute arise. This may prove to be invaluable.
Just because your car has stopped working temporarily does not mean that you have to spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars getting it repaired. Many times it is possible to fix your own problems. Utilize the tips that have been given you so that you can have a running vehicle.