Your car is an expensive investment and taking care of it will save you money over the long haul. Besides learning about your specific car model, you should know a few other tricks as well. Read this article so you can save money and time!

Ensure the mechanic you use has an ASE certification before allowing them to operate on your vehicle. They have passed tests and have at least two years experience under their hat. When a mechanic has this certification, you are ensured that a qualified individual is repairing your car.

Battery Charger

Have a battery charger in your car at all times. A dead battery is more common than you think and you will be able to help other broken down drivers if you have a battery charger with you. It is important to not only have the battery charger but to know how it works as well in case you are alone.

Be sure to ask lots of questions when taking your car to an auto repair service. Find out what caused the issues, and ask what you can do so this does not happen again. Engaging in preventative measures will likely save you money down the line.

Check your radiator often. Run your car for a bit, turn off the engine and then open the hood. You should never open your radiator whenever your car is turned on. Look to see what the fluid level is (use a dipstick), and remember that coolant needs to have a bit of water added prior to entering your radiator.

You don’t always have to take your car to the shop when there is an issue. Many things are able to be fixed easily. If you want to take a chance, you can go online and do some research to pinpoint what the problem is. When it’s a simple fix, do it yourself!

Ask a potential mechanic if they have experience with working on the exact kind of car you have. If they say that they have, this should be a good indicator that they have some idea of what needs to be done to get your car back into shape.

To prevent your car from getting rusty, wash it consistently. Cars are all destined to rust, but the process can be slowed by keeping salt and chemicals away from the paint whenever you can. Waxing your car helps protect the paint.

Every time you’re going to have an automobile repaired, you have to get a record of what is done to it. If you have more problems later, other mechanics can decipher why. Not having any repair history on the vehicle can lead to more problems for the mechanic.

Always ask your mechanic for OEM parts. This means that they’ve come directly from the manufacturer. Generic may be cheaper, but you don’t know the quality of these parts as time goes on. What is a cheap option now could be an expensive option later.

As said previously, learning the fundamentals of auto repair will benefit you later on. Besides teaching your skills to others and fixing your car problems yourself, it is also a great way to save money. When performing do-it-yourself auto repairs, make use of these tips.