If your car broke down, you should focus on getting it working again. Getting a vehicle stuck with you that doesn’t work can make problems occur. You may think you have to spend a lot of money on auto repairs; however, this is not usually the case. There are a lot of basic repairs you can do yourself.
Your radiator needs to be looked over regularly. Warm up your car a little, shut if back off and pop the hood. Never open the radiator cap if the engine is running. Use a dipstick to check the radiator’s fluid level, and remember to always mix water in with your coolant if need be. Some coolants come premixed.
You need to know about all costs before handing your keys over. If you do not understand something, have it cleared up with the mechanic before he or she makes the repairs. Don’t find yourself stuck with extra charges later.
Keep a record when your car is fixed or maintained. If further issues develop later, the mechanic may want to see the historical documentation of what has already been done. Without records, you might have to pay higher costs due to taking longer to find the problem.
OEM parts should be asked for. Those are the original parts from the manufacturer. Generic parts may cost less, but they are not as good. What saves you a bit of money in the short term, may end up costing you dearly in the long term.
Prior to bringing your car to a shop for a repairs, try to find out what the issue is. You will not be duped, and you can save tons of money when you find out the problem yourself. You probably know that some mechanics will deceive you about your car repairs to charge you more.
Keep a spare tire and jack handy at all times. Most of the new cars of today have them in the trunk. The cost of a tow for a flat isn’t worth it! It is simpler and cheaper to handle it on your own.
Don’t forget about your windshield wipers. If they’re not working properly of leave streaks, you might need new wipers. You need to replace the wipers on your car about every year or even more often if there is a lot of rain where you live.
Auto Shop
As this article has shown you, it is possible to make minor repairs to your car without the need of an auto shop. At the same time, if you have to take your car to an auto shop, you now know how to save the most money and time. The more you learn about maintaining your car, the more confident you become about doing other car maintenance tasks. Use these tips to get your car up and running again.