Chances are, your car is the most important thing you own, given that it gets you everywhere. Perhaps you’re not educated on cars, but would like to learn more. If that is true, continue reading and learn about the basics of car repair.

Every time you’re going to have an automobile repaired, you have to get a record of what is done to it. Having detailed records will be useful if you need to perform more repairs on your vehicle. If you do not have the records, you might end up paying more for the mechanic to poke around trying to find the source of the trouble.

Make sure you replace old parts with OEM parts. OEM parts are parts that are made by the manufacturer. Generic may be cheaper, but you don’t know the quality of these parts as time goes on. They may initially be a deal, but the generic parts may make you pay more in the long run.

Take out all of the valuable items in your car when it is being repaired. The technicians may have to move out these things to fix your car, and they cannot be held liable if anything goes missing. You want to remove items from your trunk also.

Before you take your car to the shop, always make an attempt to identify the problem yourself. This will save you a great deal of money and protect you against fraud. As you have probably heard, there are mechanics out there that will be dishonest so they can charge you more money.

Ensure that your mechanic is familiar with your vehicle’s make. While basic components may be the same, there are differences between cars due to the amount of space beneath the hood. If you don’t think the shop you are going to really knows what they are doing, take your car to the dealer instead.

Before you settle on a car repair business, talk to friends and family for recommendations. Your loved ones may give you some recommendations to simplify your search. Still do your homework on whoever they mention. Check online reviews at the very least.

Repair Shops

Before giving your car to a shop, ask them about their fees. Some repair shops have details about their rates posted on the walls, but you should not hesitate to ask about rates if you do not see any information. How will you be billed? Auto repair shops may use the estimated repair time established by certain manufacturers. Some “Minor” repairs could take all day if they go by those manufacturers’ established times.

Always know when your oil should be switched out. Look at your car’s manual to see when the manufacturer recommends oil changes. In the long run, omitting this important step could cost you thousands of dollars, and it could lead your vehicle to an early death.

Keep in mind that going to the dealer is not something you have to do if you want a vehicle fixed. There are many great technicians all over the place. If you’re comfortable with a local mechanic, don’t be afraid to use one.

As was stated earlier, it is important to take proper care of cars. You can save yourself a good amount of money if you even just know simple maintenance. Use these tips for the next time your vehicle starts acting weird or you start worrying about it.