Learning how to properly repair a vehicle can be quite complex, but with the proper education, it can be less daunting. Gaining knowledge can really help you get over those fears. Review the tips provided here for DIY advice so you can avoid a trip to your mechanic whenever trouble strikes.

Only choose an A.S.E. certified mechanic. This shows that a mechanic has passed a special test for competence and also shows he or she has at least two years experience as a mechanic. When a mechanic has this certification, you are ensured that a qualified individual is repairing your car.

Ensure your car has an emergency kit. This kit will include the necessary tools for successfully charging a battery, changing a tire and adding gas to your tank. Blankets, matches, a flashlight, extra batteries, cans of food and some water help, too.

Regularly check your radiator’s performance. Let the car run a while, shut off the engine and then pop the hood. Never open the radiator while the car is on. Use a dipstick to check the amount of fluid in the radiator. You should also make sure to mix coolant fluid with water before you pour it into your radiator.

Referrals are your best best when searching for a trustworthy mechanic. Speak with others you know to see if they can recommend someone to you. You can learn about the quality of work, the pricing and if they were satisfied with the service. People can tell you what type of experience they had and whether the mechanic was honest or not.

Always keep a record of any maintenance done to your car. When another issue crops up, this record will allow you to provide the history to the mechanic. 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.

Take the mechanic for a drive before getting your car repaired. If you don’t do this, you may not have the appropriate problem repaired.

Try to get OEM parts for your car. These parts are the genuine article, produced by your car’s original manufacturer. Although using generic parts may provide some short-term savings, it’s impossible to know whether or not they’ll hold up as well as OEM parts. What saves you a bit of money in the short term, may end up costing you dearly in the long term.

Pay attention to any red flags involving your auto repair technician. If a mechanic is not giving you straight answers or cannot explain repairs in details, you should keep looking. Only choose someone you trust.

Your car should always have a spare tire and jack. A majority of cars come equipped with them. 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.

Car issues don’t need to be as time-consuming or scary as they used to be if you can fix basic issues. By knowing how to fix small repairs and which mechanic to select for the larger repairs, you can save yourself a lot of time and money. These tips will help you if you need to fix your car.