Getting your car fixed can be stressful, time-consuming and expensive. Auto repairs can take a lot of time if you do them yourself. On the other hand, they are expensive if you pay a mechanic to do them. Each course of action has its drawbacks, but this article will help make the process much smoother.

You need to know about all costs before handing your keys over. When you’re not sure, ask until you feel clear. Don’t be surprised with extra costs when the car has been fixed.

There are certain repairs that you can do yourself. Some jobs are simple and do not need to be taken to the auto shop. If you’re feeling lucky, look online to figure out the problem. If it is a simple fix, you can usually do it yourself.

Ask the tech if they’ve done work on your model and make of car before. If they have before, then they are likely going to be able to also fix your car easily enough.

Buy OEM parts. These parts are issued by the manufacturer of your vehicle. While generics are much cheaper, they are not held to the same quality standards. You may save in the short term, but additional failures could end up costing you big time.

If your headlights are not shining as brightly, check to see if they are clean. Sometimes there is grease and/or dirt on it, and it reduces the brightness of the light. Use a quality glass cleaning product and improve the situation dramatically.

Replacing the bulbs on your taillights or headlights yourself can save you both time and money. Hiring a professional to install new lights costs a lot of money. Find out if anyone in your family can do it and could pass along their knowledge to you.

There are many “backyard” mechanics out there that preform excellent auto repairs. If they have auto repair experience they can provide quality work, and they will usually charge you less for labor. This is a good way of saving money while investing in your local community.

It is just as important to get your car washed in winter as it is in summer. Winter can be the most damaging season to a car’s bodywork. Sand and salt on the roads can cause rust and corrosion. Just make sure you dry the car thoroughly before heading back out onto the roads to prevent icing.

Educate yourself on the basics of car repairs and warranties before going to the mechanic. There are several different classifications of car parts, and these include salvage, new, and re-manufactured and reconditioned. New means that the parts were made to meet the standard manufacturer specifications by an independent retailer or the dealer themselves. Used parts that have been made good as new are classified as reconditioned. They may also carry a tag as “rebuilt,” or even “re-manufactured.” Salvage means that they are used and they have not been altered.

Auto repair is never pleasant, but it doesn’t have to be a huge hassle either. This article gives you tips that will allow you to deal more successfully with auto repairs. Your vehicle and you will both benefit from this.