Faced with high repair bills, you may have wondered if you could do it yourself. Fixing a car can be intimidating, but it is a very rewarding experience. This can save you a lot of money and headaches down the road. The following article will advise you on how to fix your own car and will also provide tips on having it fixed by a professional.

Ensure you regularly inspect your radiator. Let the car run a couple minutes, shut your engine and open up your hood. Never open the radiator while the car is on. Look to see what the fluid level is (use a dipstick), and remember that coolant needs to have a bit of water added prior to entering your radiator.

Speak with a repair shop’s technician if you wish to figure out what kinds of cars they’ve worked on in the past. If they have, you should feel better about their ability to solve your problem.

It is a good idea to use referrals to find a decent mechanic. Speak with others you know to see if they can recommend someone to you. You can learn about the quality of work, the pricing and if they were satisfied with the service. You can find out about the experience with a mechanic and if they can be trusted or not.

Whenever your car undergoes repairs, make sure you have the written record of what was done. 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. 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.

Never leave anything in your car when dropping it off for repairs. The mechanic might have to remove certain items, and they won’t be liable if it goes missing. The same is true of your trunk or the bed of your truck.

There are many “backyard” mechanics out there that preform excellent auto repairs. If they have auto repair experience they can provide quality work, and they will usually charge you less for labor. This can help you save money but make sure that they have a good reputation.

Check tire pressure each time you fill your tank. Look over your tires to be sure nothing has become embedded in them. If you see something wrong, make sure to fix the problem immediately. You should not risk driving with less-than-perfect tires.

Take pictures of your entire vehicle before taking it to the shop to get repaired. Though most shops won’t strip a car, others do it to make more money. Because of this, it is advisable to get proof of what you vehicle looked like before it goes to the shop, just in case.

If you need your car fixed, but are on a tight budget, you may want to contact your local vocation institution to see if they have an auto repair department. You can pay much less for service since students are still learning how to repair cars.

Sometimes a mechanic will recommend you do an engine flush, but this is not usually a required maintenance procedure. Flushing your engine is generally unnecessary unless you’ve subjected it to great abuse, (like a long time between oil changes) and it’s simply too expensive to purchase unless your car really needs it.

Talk to the manufacturer when you have a safety issue which could be fatal. Manufacturers will issue recalls if there are enough complaints, or if the problem endangers the safety of drivers. As a general rule, they will take care of the car repairs.

A dealer’s mechanic is an expensive option, but it is sometimes necessary to go through your dealership. The technicians at dealerships are trained to work on your particular model of car. Problems can be more quickly diagnosed and common problems fixed fast. They also attend training session regularly.

If you have a positive experience with an auto repair business, return to them each time you need another repair job on your vehicle. Build a good relationship with a mechanic to ensure you get good work. You will get discounts and free tips from your mechanic once you become a loyal customer.

Fixing your car yourself should not intimidate you. The parts under the hood may seem foreign, but only until you start to understand the parts. Then repairs can be easy. Keep this article in mind and review the tips if you need a reference. Auto repair does not have to be that stressful.