If you regularly drive a vehicle, you must understand quality auto repair fundamentals. That said, who truly knows that information? This article contains several great tips you can use to keep your car running perfectly.

You don’t always need a mechanic when your car is having problems. There are a few things that you can fix easily yourself. If you would like to try it, you can research on the problem online. If the job is a simple one, you might save a bit of money if you make repairs on your own.

Your car should be washed regularly so that rust doesn’t become a problem. Rust is an inevitability, but you can stave it off for a good while. Wax the paint job to protect it.

Every time your car is repaired, no matter why it is, keep a record of the repair. If the car has other issues later, it can help the tech see its past records. Not maintaining these records will likely mean you have to spend more money because diagnosing the problem will be harder for the mechanic to do.

Be mindful whether additional repairs recommended are really necessary. Mechanics may make recommendations, but they should never make repairs without your authorization. Don’t return to mechanics that do unnecessary repairs.

You may not be a mechanic, but your trunk should always have a spare tire and a jack at the very least. Nearly every car has them equipped standard. The cost of a tow for a flat isn’t worth it! It’s cheaper to do on your own.

Put together an auto repair kit and keep it in your trunk. You should have basic tools such as equipment to change a tire, fix a flat, add oil and a gallon of water. You need to purchase a lug wrench and a jack if you do not have them. You may ask want to get a variety of screwdrivers, ratchets, socket wrenches and the like. Do not waste money by getting cheap tools. If you buy high quality tools, they will not break when you really need them.

Your wiper blades should never be forgotten about. You may need new blades if they are streaking or making noises. Try to replace these blades once a year so that you can drive safely in the rain.

Don’t have a bunch of keychains on your keyring, or make sure you can remove your key when you need it. The ignition is not suited to that weight, even when you think it isn’t much. If your key begins sticking, the tumblers need replacing.

Make sure that you clean your car in the winter as well. Winter can be the most damaging season to a car’s bodywork. In particular, it can cause the car to rust. If you take the time to dry the vehicle well before hitting the road again, you can stop icing from occurring.

Check tire pressure each time you fill your tank. Make sure there are no objects embedded in your tires at the same time. If you see something wrong, make sure to fix the problem immediately. You should not risk driving with less-than-perfect tires.

Even if you think your vehicle just has a minor issue, it pays to get it looked at just the same. The problem might get worse if you do not get it fixed quickly, or your diagnosis might not be correct.

With the privilege of driving, comes responsibility. Still, you might not know where to find a good auto repair shop, and you might not have the knowledge to do those repairs on your own. Now you know what is necessary to keep a car running properly at all times.