Your car is a huge investment you have to care for. Perhaps you are not very knowledgeable in the automotive field. This article is intended to help provide a little more confidence in your abilities and teach you the basics of simple auto-maintenance.

Never underestimate the value of keeping an emergency car kit handy. This kit should contain a number of items, including tools, flares, a gas container and an emergency battery charger. Consider having blankets, batteries and a flashlight for unexpected nighttime break downs.

Ask all the questions you have at the shop. You can use this time to tell them about the problems you have and to get answers as to what needs to be done. Learning how to prevent certain issues will help you save a lot of money.

Prior to having your car repaired, ask how much you will have to pay. If you do not understand something, have it cleared up with the mechanic before he or she makes the repairs. You want to avoid being surprised with additional charges once the car is fixed.

You don’t always have to take your car to the shop when there is an issue. There are a few things that you can fix easily yourself. If you are game, then check online to research the problem. If the repair isn’t too difficult, you might be able to save money by doing it yourself.

Ask the tech if they’ve done work on your model and make of car before. If they are able to say they’ve done work on a vehicle similar to yours, then they’re probably aware of what kind of work is necessary to fix yours.

Keeping your car washed will help prevent rust. Cars are all destined to rust, but the process can be slowed by keeping salt and chemicals away from the paint whenever you can. Wax is also important.

Make sure you know what is in your auto manual, and mark certain pages for reference. Any auto professional with a good reputation will need to know all he can about your car. You may even discover how to solve your car problems yourself.

Be aware of a mechanic who makes unneeded repairs to your car. Good mechanics will inform you of parts wearing down that need replaced soon, but they won’t replace them without getting your approval first. If a mechanic did an unnecessary repair on your car, don’t take it there again.

Make sure you replace old parts with OEM parts. These means they are parts that come directly from the manufacturer. Generic may be cheaper, but you don’t know the quality of these parts as time goes on. 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.

If your headlights are not shining as brightly, check to see if they are clean. Dirt from driving can build up on your headlights and block some light. Use glass cleaner to wash any dirt away from them.

Look out for obvious “red flags” when dealing with a new auto repair company. If you are being talked to in circles and your questions aren’t answered, then you will want to go elsewhere. Find a mechanic who seems trustworthy and knows how to answer all your questions.

As this article said to you before, you really must be sure to take care of your vehicle. By learning the simplest maintenance, such as performing your own oil changes, you can save a lot of cash. Use this information the next time your vehicle is acting funny.