Understanding auto repair may seem difficult, but you can master it. The more you know about auto repair, the better off you will be. Learn how to repair your car yourself and avoid trips to the repair shop.

Always have a good battery charger in your car. Dead batteries happen a lot, and you can provide assistance to others if you keep a charger on hand. Find out where to connect the charger to your car.

Always carry a good emergency kit in the trunk of your car. Be sure the kit has tools for charging the battery, adding gas to the tank, and changing tires. A few blankets, flashlights and spare batteries are also great to have.

Record each repair that you have done on your car. Future problems can be easily solved when auto technicians have access to past records. Your car problems may be harder to find and you may have higher repair costs without the records.

Ask for Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts. This means that you are getting manufacturer made parts and not replicas. Generic are cheaper, but also less reliable. Although you save money in the short term with generic parts, its not really a deal if they have to be replaced again in a few years.

Major repairs should always be accompanied by more than just one estimate. It will help you find the best price available from a trustworthy mechanic. Check out other options which are trustworthy. You will get much better results if you go to a reliable auto shop.

If your taillights or headlights burn out, you will save a ton of money. It’s simpler in some vehicles than others, but doing it yourself is much cheaper than hiring a mechanic. Ask someone you know if they can instruct you on how to do it.

Pay attention to the condition of your car’s wiper blades. If you notice your windshield wipers are not working properly, get new ones. Try to replace these blades once a year so that you can drive safely in the rain.

Use your friends as referrals before you choose an auto repair shop. Your loved ones might have some good recommendations for you to check out. Still, you should do some research on the shops they recommend. Read online reviews, and check with the Better Business Bureau as well.

Look at flashing lights on your dashboard and learn what each one signifies. These symbols light up to warn you of a problem. If you ignore them, you could end up with expensive problems down the road.

If you have been having minor car issues, you should have them checked out. A small problem can become a big one if it is left unchecked.

Warranties serve an important purpose when your car is repaired, especially when you buy expensive parts. A mechanic should be asked about if they know whether or not there’s a warranty on any of the parts they’re going to order. Inquire as to how long it is for and also ask for a hard copy of the contract for your review.

When you know what you’re doing, auto repairs aren’t so scary. You will be able to rely on your skills so that you’re able to save some cash. Use this article to educate yourself in case you have car trouble in the future.