Do you feel like you lack the knowledge to handle a breakdown? Have you considered making repairs on your own? Maybe you want to know what to look for in a mechanic. If you would like to learn more, continue reading.

Do not let a mechanic work on your vehicle unless they are A.S.E. certified. This type of certification means two years experience and also a passed written test. That means only the best will work on your car.

It is a good idea to use referrals to find a decent mechanic. Talk to your relatives, friends and co-workers to get some recommendations. Ask them how good the work was, how much they were charged, and if they were satisfied. Those close to you will be able to give you an honest retelling of their experiences with certain mechanics.

Read as much of your auto manual as you can, marking anything that is important. When you need to go to an auto repair shop, the professionals you are dealing with will want to know certain information regarding your car. The manual could also help you figure out a simple solution to a problem that you are having.

Before paying your mechanic for any work done, make sure to take it for a short test drive first, to make sure everything is working as it should. Skipping this step is a common error that causes folks to end up with the same issue they have paid to have fixed.

Be sure headlights are clean if they’re not shining as bright as they once did. Your headlights will get covered in greasy residues if you do not clean them regularly. Cleaning your lights with a glass cleaner will allow them to perform better.

You need a spare tire and jack with you all the time. New cars often come with a kit you can use to change a tire. You’re not going to want to be paying money for being rescued by a tow truck after finding yourself stuck. You do the job yourself with less time and expense.

Keep a DIY tool kit in your trunk. These tools should include a tire changing kit, which comes in most cars. A car jack and a lug wrench are essential tools to have. A Philips head as well as flat head screwdriver should be helpful, plus socket and adjustable wrenches. Don’t buy low-quality tools. If you buy high quality tools, they will not break when you really need them.

If you have to have a big repair done, get multiple estimates. The shop you’ve gone to may be trying to rip you off. Check out other options which are trustworthy. These shops are the best ones to use.

When you have a burnt out light on your car, it can save you some money if you’re able to repair it yourself. Hiring a professional to install new lights costs a lot of money. Ask a friend if they’ll help you learn how its done.

Never get stuck figuring that you’re not able to get things on your vehicle repaired quickly. Get serious and use all of the tips in this article so you can do the job yourself. Now, you should see how you’re able to do these things quickly so you’re not without a vehicle for too long.