Anyone who drives a car needs to know a little bit about repairing it. Unfortunately, too many people do not have such an understanding. Fortunately, the article that follows below includes lots of terrific tips to help you make certain your car is always in good working order.

Be sure to ask lots of questions when taking your car to an auto repair service. Make sure to consider previous problems you’ve had, and ask how to prevent them. Preventative measures will save you a whole lot of money in the long run.

Check your coolant levels frequently. Run your car, turn it off then pop the hood. Refrain from opening the radiator when your car is on. With a dipstick, check your radiator fluid. Before adding more coolant remember to mix it with water.

Wash your car regularly to prevent rust from becoming a problem. All cars will rust up eventually, but you may delay it considerably by ensuring all chemicals and salts are washed off quickly. Wax the paint job to protect it.

Getting a good referral is the ideal way to discover a great auto technician. Talk to your friends and family and ask if they have any recommendations. This will let you figure out what kind of price you’re dealing with and if you’ll be satisfied with the work that is done. People can tell you what type of experience they had and whether the mechanic was honest or not.

Make sure that you specifically request OEM parts. These are original parts direct from the manufacturer. While generics are much cheaper, they are not held to the same quality standards. What could be a good deal in the present won’t always be the best thing to for you later, so try using OEM parts when you’re able to.

When getting auto repairs, take all items out of your car. Your personal items can get in the mechanics way, and they may have to move them. Remove everything from your trunk too.

Be sure that you know whether or not you have a mechanic that can help you with your vehicle. Cars can differ significantly, even if the general mechanical principles are the same. A luxury SUV is quite different from a hybrid Prius, for example. If you don’t know, pay extra to get the dealer to repair it.

Windshield Wipers

Don’t forget about your windshield wipers. If your windshield wipers are not cleaning your windshield probably or if they make a lot of noise, you need to replace them. You should replace them yearly, but you may need to do it twice a year if you are located in a rainy area.

You don’t necessarily have to visit the dealer in order to get your auto repairs done. There are quite a few mechanics out there, whether you get your car into one of them or do things at home yourself there are many options. Trust someone that you’re comfortable with.

Think about snapping some photos of your entire car prior to bringing it in for repairs somewhere. A lot of shops aren’t going to strip things out of your vehicle, but some will if they are trying to make more money. Be safe rather than sorry.

Owning a car means that you have to make sure it is always in good condition. Unfortunately, some people do not know how to find affordable auto repair or make their own repairs. If you keep this advice in mind, you’ll have no issues keeping your car on the road.