Everyone has to deal with auto repairs at some time in their life. Car repairs can cost a significant amount of money. Whether you are doing the repairs yourself or hiring a mechanic, it is a good idea to know what you are doing. Use these tips to be better prepared when you have to fix your car.
The mechanic that you use should be A.S.E certified. This kind of certification tells you that whoever will be working on your car has a couple years of experience and has passed a test. This means you have the best mechanic performing maintenance on your automobile.
Check the transmission fluid every two to three months. Let your engine run and open the hood of your car. Use the transmission dipstick to check the fluid levels. If there is not enough fluid in your transmission you probably have a leak somewhere in your system. It is best to take the car to a mechanic so he can locate the leak.
Keep your car’s owner manual handy. Knowing vital car information can really help when something unexpected occurs. If you know your car’s controls, you may even avoid a trip to a mechanic. If you do need a mechanic, you should have the make, model, and trim level available so that they can figure out things like your transmission configuration, size, etc. much quicker.
Look for online body shop reviews for any business you’re thinking of patronizing. This can inform you of how the general public views their customer service skills as well as how well they do when it comes to solving the problem. This will help you choose the best shop.
Request OEM parts. This means that you are getting manufacturer made parts and not replicas. It’s cheaper to get the generic parts, but the quality may not be the same. Though you may think you are getting a deal with generic parts, in the long run, you will end up paying double than you would have if you had gotten OEM parts.
The Automotive Service Excellence logo is a sign that you have found a good mechanic. Mechanics have to successfully pass an exam and maintain an excellent record to receive this logo. Not all good mechanics get this certification but you should still try finding a mechanic who is ASE certified.
Don’t ignore small annoying sounds or problems. These tiny annoyances, such as noisy brakes, are usually cheap to fix. If ignored, however, they can usually lead to much more extensive problems and expensive repairs. Replacing worn brake pads now is much cheaper than having to replace the pads, rotors, brake lines, and calipers later.
Don’t have a bunch of keychains on your keyring, or make sure you can remove your key when you need it. Too many items on your keychain can weigh down your car’s ignition. If your key starts sticking, you need to get new tumblers and no longer use that little troll head keychain!
One of the best ways to save money is by being informed about car maintenance and repairs. Some mechanics take advantage of those with little car knowledge. Use the advice you learned here to either do the repairs yourself or be better armed against shady mechanics. You can save thousands over a lifetime.