Haven’t you wished you knew more about dealing with potential car problems? Perhaps you wonder whether you can do some repairs on your own. How can you choose the right mechanic? Read on so you can educate yourself.
Don’t underestimate how important it is to have some kind of emergency kit within your vehicle. This kit should include specific tools for charging your battery, changing your tire, etc. Also, add a flashlight, some batteries, and some blankets in case there is a nighttime breakdown.
Make sure the repair shop technician is familiar with the particular model of your vehicle. If they have, you should feel better about their ability to solve your problem.
Get referrals to find a great auto mechanic. Get recommendations from family and friends. These people will be able to provide you with the price, quality, and overall satisfaction of the mechanic. They will be the first to tell you about a dishonest mechanic too!
Know your auto manual very well, or at least dog ear important pages. When you do have to deal with a mechanic, you can show him the copy of the manual, which can help him. The issue may be very simple to fix, saving you time and money.
Look for warning signs that repair mechanics may give off. If you have trouble getting a straight answer out of them, (or if, even worse, they refuse to answer questions to your satisfaction) they probably aren’t the kind of people you want to work with. Run, don’t walk, to another mechanic.
Make sure the mechanic can work on your particular car. While most vehicles are made in similar ways, a lot of the time things are fairly different under the hood. If you don’t think the shop you are going to really knows what they are doing, take your car to the dealer instead.
Wiper Blades
Pay attention to the condition of your car’s wiper blades. If your wipers are not doing a good job or often streak or chatter, you need new ones. Wiper blades need to be replaced once every year or possibly more often depending on the where you live.
Talk to your mechanic about the rates that you will have to pay. Fees can be hidden and need to be detailed. How will you be billed? Some shops have estimated repair times that are established by specific manufacturers. Some “minor” repairs can take all day according the the estimates of the manufacturer.
Look at all lights that flash on the dashboard and learn what they mean. They are meant to help; use them to your advantage. Do not ignore them, as this can put your safety in danger.
Doing repairs on your own can be hazardous. Have someone assist you and make sure they are ready to react to emergencies. Only invest in the best tools available. This is the case especially when you are investing in equipment to change your tires. The jack has to hold the car up without any trouble while you are working on the underside of the car. Hydraulic floor jacks with a stand should definitely be considered for purchase.
When you get gas, always check tire pressure. Look at your tires and ensure that there’s nothing stuck on them. If you spot an issue, don’t put off getting it repaired. Don’t drive with bad tires on your car.
Before you go to a mechanic, become educated on the classification of standard car parts. Know the difference between rebuilt and reconditioned, new, and salvage parts. New parts are newly created to the specifications of the manufacturer. Rebuilt and reconditioned and re-manufacturered parts have been restored to working condition. Salvage parts just means used parts without any type of alterations.
If you’re short on cash, the repair department in vocational schools may offer you service at a fraction of the cost. You pay a greatly reduced rate for the repairs in return for allowing students to work on your car while under the supervision of a licensed mechanic.
Many people don’t actually read their car manual. You should read your manual all the way through at least once. This manual provides you with lots of useful information on maintaining and making small repairs to your vehicle on your own.
OEM means Original Equipment Manufacturer. Remember this if you need to have parts replaced. Your mechanic will consider you as a knowledgeable customer if you ask for OEM parts. An unscrupulous mechanic may think better of trying to pass used parts off onto you.
Though the expense can be higher, a mechanic at the car dealership can be your best bet. The mechanics at the dealership are experts in the type of vehicle you have. This makes them better able to diagnose and fix problems quickly, getting your car back to you faster. There are many training programs that they have to pass to become certified.
Keep an accordion file in the car to keep receipts. You may divide them by maintenance or repair type or use reverse chronology where most recent receipts are at the top. This complete set of records will be very helpful for anyone working on your car. It also helps if you have a dispute with maintenance, you will have all your receipts in one place. This will also come in handy if you decide to sell your vehicle and want to let the buyer know about how much you invested in the vehicle.
If you do want to sell your vehicle, keeping receipts and records from vehicle repairs is important so you can get the most value from the buyer. Check out more tips on increasing the value of your car with the infographic below!
Infographic provided by Chrysler Factory Warranty, a Mopar extended warranty provider
Get a written estimate if the quote is much over one hundred dollars. If you have written proof, you can easily file complaints if necessary. Besides, the mechanic will be less likely to add unnecessary repairs to your bill if he already provided you with a written quote.
You need not feel helpless when it comes to auto repair. You just have to use the helpful hints you’ve read here to get started. Now, you should see how you’re able to do these things quickly so you’re not without a vehicle for too long.