When a car breaks down, the owner sometimes is petrified of having to repair it. The best way to be sure you are getting quality repairs is to learn what you can in advance. Read this article to get a good basic knowledge before seeking out repair help.

When you take your car to the shop, ask plenty of questions about your vehicle. These questions can involve issues you’re dealing with and what you can do to avoid them in the future. One of the best ways to save on car maintenance is to prevent problems in the first place. A little money spent for prevention can save thousands in the future.

Before giving your car keys to the service department, make sure you know what the cost for the repair will be. If something is not clear, clarify it with the service adviser or mechanic before starting any repair on the car. Don’t be surprised with extra costs when the car has been fixed.

Go over your owner’s manual and dog ear the most useful pages. You need to know the basics about your car prior to visiting with a mechanic. Also, reading the manual may help you realize that the repair you need, can be done easily by you.

Make sure to have all your car records on hand. It is a good idea to leave these in the glove compartment because you never know when your car has to go to the shop suddenly. The mechanics who work on your car will need to see your maintenance records before working on your car. They help them figure out what’s wrong quickly.

Once an auto shop has made repairs to your car, test drive it to ensure they did a good job prior to paying them. A lot of people do not do this; therefore, they wind up with the same issues that existed before taking their car to the shop.

When bringing your car to a mechanic, tell them you want OEM parts. This means that they’ve come directly from the manufacturer. Generic parts can be cheaper but OEM parts will last longer and usually come with a better warranty. Generic parts could end up costing you more in the long run.

Before going with a particular shop, get auto repair feedback from your friends. Your loved ones might have some good recommendations for you to check out. Research any recommendations you get. At least try to find some online reviews on the shops that they recommend.

Your car key should not have tons of fluffy keychains on it. The ignition isn’t designed to hold tons of weight. It doesn’t matter if it doesn’t appear heavy to you. If your key starts sticking, you need to get new tumblers and no longer use that little troll head keychain!

Ask for labor rates or prices before hiring a mechanic. Many shops display a list of their rates, so make sure you understand everything involved in their billing practices. This will give you a better idea of what you will be billed. They may be from a manual written by the car’s manufacturer. Even a minor job might take all day.

Car trouble can be infuriating. But, if you educate yourself and know the basics, you can save yourself time and stress. Have the tips above handy so you can be prepared for whatever problems may occur.