If you own a car, you know how frustrating and common car problems can be. If you learn a little on the topic, you really can save lots of money and aggravation. Apply what you’ve just learned, and you can’t go wrong. It might come in handy one day.

Check your radiator often. Simply run the engine a few minutes and then cut the engine and lift the hood. Refrain from opening the radiator when your car is on. Check radiator fluid by using a dipstick and remember to dilute coolant with water prior to adding it.

Watch out for mechanics who perform unnecessary repairs on your car. A reliable mechanic will tell you if any parts are worn down and need replacing. But, they should ask for your approval before replacing them. Don’t return to mechanics that do unnecessary repairs.

When bringing your car to a mechanic, tell them you want OEM parts. OEM parts means that part was produced by the manufacturer specifically for your make and model of vehicle. It can cost a lot less to use parts that are generic, but you won’t get the most out of these things after a while. Though you may think you are getting a deal with generic parts, in the long run, you will end up paying double than you would have if you had gotten OEM parts.

Learn about your car so you can determine the problem in advance and save money. You can save a lot of money by diagnosing it yourself, and it could also protect you from being a victim of fraud. As you have likely heard, some mechanics will lie about the problem in order to make more money.

Spare Tire

Make sure that you always keep a spare tire and jack in your vehicle. The majority of new cars have them automatically. Being stuck without a spare tire and jack means you will have to get your car towed. Changing your tire is a simple process that can save you an expensive visit from an auto service club.

Replacing a burnt-out headlight or taillight is much cheaper when you do it by yourself. Hiring a professional to install new lights costs a lot of money. Speak with people that you’re familiar with if you know they’re good at repairs.

Take all those fun and fluffy keychains off, or make it possible to remove your car key from the bunch. The weight of your keychain can cause problems for your ignition. If you have a key that’s sticking, then you are going to have to replace your tumblers and then get rid of your fun keychains.

You don’t necessarily have to visit the dealer in order to get your auto repairs done. There are great techs everywhere whether there’s a great shop 10 minutes from your house or whether you decide to go to the dealer further away. If you have found a reliable mechanic, don’t hesitate to use them.

Car problems can become very frustrating. They are often very expensive too. By learning all that you can do to make sure you’re prepared for your vehicle to break down then you’ll be able to make sure your vehicle is up and running in no time. This will also allow you to save money.