When you have car problems, you should get your car fixed quickly. When you have no car, you may be stranded. However, you don’t have to break the bank in order to repair your car. There are many simple repairs that even a novice can fix on their own.

Ensure your car has an emergency kit. Assemble a kit that has tools for changing tires, charging the battery and putting more gas in the car. Blankets may be added, some batteries and a flashlight for if you have a trouble with your car at night.

Ask your mechanic is he is familiar with working on your car. If they have experience with your type of car, they are more likely able to correctly diagnose and fix the problems your vehicle is having.

Keep your car clean to prevent rust. Although all cars rust at some point in time, it is possible to delay this from occurring by washing off salt and chemicals immediately. Protect your paint with good wax.

Know your auto manual very well, or at least dog ear important pages. When you show up to a mechanic’s shop, you are going to have to explain some information about your car. By knowing the manual, you may actually find you can fix some issues yourself.

Each time you get your vehicle repaired, no matter what the reason, be sure you have a record of it. If you have problems with your vehicle later on, you will find it helpful to have some records for the next technician to look at. Without them, you may end up paying for more diagnostic tests, and it will be more difficult to learn where the issue is stemming from.

Look for online body shop reviews for any business you’re thinking of patronizing. This can tell you about the public views of their skills in customer service and how well they can solve a problem. This information can be used to locate an auto repair shop that you feel is well suited to your needs.

Before you pay for repairs, take the car out for a spin to make sure things are working as they should. If you do not do this, you may have the same issue when you get home.

Make sure the mechanic can work on your particular car. While basic components may be the same, there are differences between cars due to the amount of space beneath the hood. If you don’t know, pay extra to get the dealer to repair it.

You need a spare tire and jack with you all the time. Many cars will come with these straight off of the dealership’s floor. You wouldn’t want to get a simple flat and have to shell out lots of money to a tow truck. It is a whole lot easier and cheaper if you do it yourself.

Keep a DIY tool kit in your trunk. Your car probably came with what you need to change a tire. If you don’t have a jack and lug wrench, get one. You need both types of screw drivers, a ratchet set, torque wrench, and socket wrenches. Never buy really cheap tools. Get good, sturdy tools that won’t break when you need them the most.

Speak with friends about auto shop recommendations before you pick a shop. With the benefit of advice from acquaintances and family members, you’ll be better informed about the different options open to you. You’ll still need to do some investigating. Go online and see what else is being said about the shop.

Avoid attaching your car keys to a heavy key chain or detach your keys every time you drive. The ignition isn’t designed to hold tons of weight. It doesn’t matter if it doesn’t appear heavy to you. Heavy keys become sticky keys which leads to tumbler replacement.

Before you settle on a mechanic, inquire about their rates and prices. Ask questions until you are sure you have clear answers. Make sure you get an itemized list of what you’re getting charged. Check to see the estimated times of the repair that you are having done. A manufacturer may consider a relatively minor repair to be an all day job.

Doing repairs on your own can be hazardous. You need someone assisting you so that there is an emergency plan in place. Only invest in the best tools available. You’ll especially need good equipment for changing tires. The jack you buy needs to support your vehicle well. Therefore a quality hydraulic floor jack combined with sturdy jack stands will keep you safe.

Lookout for claims that are too good to be true. A lot of the time they just say this so that they’re able to make more off of you. For instance, some cars have “lifetime” transmission fluid. Although this type of fluid doesn’t require changing very often, it should still be changed about every 80,000 miles. Therefore, the lifetime claim is false.

A lot of auto repair is based on people being consistent in what they do. Choose a trustworthy shop and stick with them. By shopping around different mechanics, you won’t get consistency regarding what your car really needs. In addition, they may charge higher amounts, which will result in you spending more money on auto repairs.

Solving your car’s issues can be very simple if you educate yourself on your vehicle. Sometimes, you can fix your car yourself. Apply the advice in this piece and get rolling once again.