Don't Get Stranded! Use These Great Auto Repair Tips
Auto repair can be a tricky subject. Instead, you must build a knowledge base regarding this very important investment of yours. Getting repairs done can be nerve-wracking, with how important your car is. With these tips, you will be able to relax.
Make sure the oil in your vehicle is changed about every 3,000 miles. Waiting longer for an oil change can result in dirt and debris fouling your oil and that can damage your engine. If you use synthetic oil in your vehicle, you only need to change the filter every other oil change.
When hiring a mechanic to repair to automobile, always seek referrals and opinions from friends, family and colleagues you trust. Doing so will ensure that you can find someone who has provided reliable, quality service in the past and provided good value to customers. In this way, you can greatly improve the likelihood that your car will be in good hands, and you will ultimately be satisfied with the work done.
To save a trip to the auto repair shop, you should take a look at your owner's manual. Here, you may find hints or perhaps answers to questions you may have about your vehicle. It can be quite helpful to know the size of your engine or its configuration, which is usually found in the manual.
When you are in need of an auto repair, shop around to make sure that you get the best deal. Go to at least three different repair shops to get a quote. If anyone charges something that is unrealistically low or high, you should seek someone else to do the job.
When you top off your motor oil, avoid spilling oil on your engine by wadding up a couple of paper towels around the oil receptacle on the crank-case. This will absorb drips and spills. Be sure to dispose of your empty oil container and the paper towels responsibly when finished adding oil.
Understand the repair costs prior to leaving your car with any shop. Labor costs especially can run at different levels from shop to shop, especially if a specialist is involved. You'll want to know what you are getting into prior to learning about it the hard way days later.
If you feel pressured by the garage or dealership you visit to get your car maintained or repaired, do not hesitate to leave. Reliable mechanics will not put any pressure on their customers and will focus on providing quality service. Follow your gut feeling and stay away from the mechanics who do not seem trustworthy.
If you're performing your own repairs underneath a car and have it raised in the air, ensure that the lifting device you use is secure. Never lift a car that is not on level ground or on a firm surface. Always use jackstands in the proper position and never solely rely on a jack to keep a car raised off the ground.
Keep a tool kit for doing auto repairs in your trunk. The tools you need include tire changing equipment, which usually come with a car. If you don't have a jack and lug wrench, get one. A Philips head as well as flat head screwdriver should be helpful, plus socket and adjustable wrenches. Do not waste money by getting cheap tools. Get sturdy, quality tools that will not break on you.
A burned out headlight or taillight is a common repair. This can usually be done yourself. It is simple to do on some cars and can save you a lot of money. Ask your friends and relatives if they can help with this small repair.
Even if you aren't particularly handy, there are a few DIY repairs that almost anyone can do. For example, changing the windshield wiper blades is really just a matter of snapping off one set and snapping on another. Look in your user's manual or use a measuring tape to determine what size you need. Don't be dismayed if the store where you purchase your windshield wiper blades only has one in the right size. You can use one that is an inch shorter on the passenger side of your windshield without causing any problems.
Warranties really come in handy when you need to replace parts. Therefore, when a mechanic orders parts for your vehicle, you should ask him or her about their warranties. Ask about the length of the warranty, and ask to be provided with a written copy of it.
If a part on your car has to be replaced, get an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) part. If you want your car to run at the highest possible level, it is important not to just put any old generic part in your vehicle. While OEM parts cost more, they are worth it in the end.
Your next car repair experience should be much better after reading these tips. Though repairs are not enjoyable, they can be done right, now that you have been given this advice. Take the advice in this article and apply it next time your car starts making "that noise again."