Fix Your Car On A Shoestring With These Tips
If you are a car owner, you need to know something about auto repairs. There are shocking numbers of drivers out there who are entirely clueless on this subject, though. Thankfully, the tips below are a great start.
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Keep an eye on your radiator levels. To do this, you need to allow your car to run several minutes, and then turn off the engine. You are now ready to open up your hood. Don't open your radiator cap if your car is on. 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 don't always need a mechanic when you have trouble with your car. Many things can be easily fixed. If you feel confident, you can get on the Internet and research to discover the problem. If it is not a very difficult job, you can save some money by doing the repairs yourself.
If any parts of your car need to be replaced, make sure you ask for the (OEM) Original Equipment Manufacturer parts instead of generic parts. Keeping the exact specifications required by the manufacturer is essential in having optimum performance. Although generic parts are cheaper, spending a little more on OEM parts will make a big impact on your car's longevity.
Friends and family are a good source when you are looking to get some work done on your car. Ask around to see if anyone can suggest someone to you before you go on your search. Never go with the opinion of one person. Ask a few and see what other answers you get.
Look out for any mechanics that add unnecessary repairs. Make sure that you give your approval first before a repair is done. Never take your vehicle to a mechanic that preforms unnecessary repairs.
If you need to get your car fixed after an accident, you should contact your insurance to get a list of approved mechanics. Going to an approved mechanic means your insurance will cover some of your expenses. Besides, you are more likely to find a good certified mechanic if you go to a professional chosen by your insurance company.
Check your tire pressure regularly. Tires with a low pressure are a very dangerous liability. Check the pressure in your tires at least once a month or anytime you notice a tire seems to be losing air. Invest in new quality tires if you often have to adjust the pressure in your tires.
Get multiple estimates if you're in need of major service. Most mechanical shops are trustworthy, but others may try to slip in little extras which quickly add up. Take your time and find a shop you feel you can trust. Also, look for someone who has experience with your type of car. These shops are the best ones to use.
Look to the Better Business Bureau and local consumer advocate groups for more information on the auto repair shop you are considering. You'll want to search everywhere for potential knowledge on this service center before you plop down the big bucks on a costly repair. Often these organizations will have a lot of great intelligence for you to consider.
You should always pay attention to the way your car smells. An unpleasant smell is usually caused by a leak or an electrical short. It is best not to drive your car and find a mechanic who can come inspect it to determine what is causing the strong smell.
Be sure to keep the area where you are working on your car free of hazards. Keep your tools and spare parts picked up so that you and others will not trip over them. Be sure to work in an area with good ventilation so that you won't be overcome by potentially toxic fumes. Have a bag of cat litter on hand to clean up spills quickly to avoid slipping.
Be wary of auto repair shops that try to pressure you into getting repairs done. You may go into a shop for one thing, and the mechanic will tell you that you have other problems. It's fine if a mechanic informs you of any possible work that may need to be done, but when they try to turn it into a requirement, rather than an option, it's time to find a new mechanic.
Find out how often you should perform a tune up on your vehicle. You should find this information in your owner's manual. You have probably heard that you need to tune up your vehicle every 100,000 miles but this really depends on the make an model of the vehicle you have.
As a car owner, it is your responsibility to keep your car in good working order. Not everyone knows how to find a good mechanic or do their own repairs. Take a second to read over all of the concepts discussed above and you will have what is required to maintain a running vehicle for years to come.
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