You don’t have to be passive when car troubles start. Making good decisions requires knowledge. Check out the below article to learn effective auto repair tips that will assist you the next time you encounter issues with your car.

The mechanic that you use should be A.S.E certified. The basis of this certification is that your mechanic has over two years of experience and they have passed appropriate testing. That way, you can have the best mechanics working on your car.

Keep an eye on your radiator levels. Keep your car running then shut the engine for several minutes before opening the hood. You should never open your radiator whenever your car is turned on. Look at the coolant you have in your radiator by checking it with a dipstick but remember that coolant usually needs to be mixed with water before putting it into your vehicle.

Prior to giving your car to a shop, know the costs of repairs. If a certain cost confuses you, don’t hesitate to clear this up with the mechanic before allowing him or her to make repairs to your vehicle. You don’t want any unpleasant surprises when you get your bill.

When you have problems with your car, you may not need to visit a mechanic. You can do a number of things on your own if you know how to. It’s possible to find the information you need online. It isn’t all that hard, and you can really save lots of money by repairing your car yourself.

Regular washing of your car will help prevent it from rusting. Rust is an inevitability, but you can stave it off for a good while. Using a wax will protect the paint job significantly.

Before paying for repairs done on your car, test drive it to make sure it runs well. Skipping this step is a common error that causes folks to end up with the same issue they have paid to have fixed.

When bringing your car to a mechanic, tell them you want OEM parts. This means that they’ve come directly from the manufacturer. 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. It might be a great deal, but if you have to continue to replace the part, it is not going to be a good deal in the long run.

Spare Tire

You should always keep a jack and a spare tire with you at all times. Many cars will come with these straight off of the dealership’s floor. Stuck on the side of the road with a flat tire is bad news. Stuck without a jack and spare tire is bad news and a big bill. It is cheaper and easier when you do it on your own.

Put together an auto repair kit and keep it in your trunk. You need to include a complete tire changing kit. A good lug wrench and jack are key. You will need several screwdrivers, ratchets, socket wrenches, an adjustable wrench and a torque wrench. Do not waste money by getting cheap tools. Get sturdy, quality tools that will not break on you.

Certainly you now know how to approach the issues you’re having with your car. What you have learned here is going to make you a lot more prepared when you end up having to deal with getting auto repairs. Take it to heart so that you will know what you are doing next time there is a problem.