Your car is a huge investment you have to care for. You might not be knowledgeable about cars, but that’s fine, as you can learn more about them. If that is the case, continue reading to learn simple maintenance tips.

Check for A.S.E. certification before you choose a mechanic. That means the technician has more than two years of experience and passed a test. This is a good way of finding a qualified mechanic who will care about doing a good job so they can keep their certification.

Check your coolant levels frequently. Simply run the engine a few minutes and then cut the engine and lift the hood. You should never open your radiator whenever your car is turned on. Use a dipstick to check the radiator’s fluid level, and remember to always mix water in with your coolant if need be. Some coolants come premixed.

The best way to find a good auto mechanic is getting referrals. Get recommendations from family and friends. You can gain information about prices and level of quality. You can learn first-hand experiences about the honesty and skill of the mechanic.

Make sure you are receiving OEM parts. Those are the original parts from the manufacturer. Generic parts might be cheaper, but they may not be good enough quality. Generic parts could end up costing you more in the long run.

Are your headlights clean? Dirt from driving can build up on your headlights and block some light. Clean theses with a good quality glass cleaning agent to get them as clean as possible.

Make sure that you always keep a spare tire and jack in your vehicle. They are included with most new vehicles. Having these items will allow you to change a tire and get back on the road quickly, which is helpful when you are stuck in a dangerous location. You do the job yourself with less time and expense.

Speak with friends and family about where they get their auto repairs done for some good ideas. Friends and family can help with recommendations. You should still always do some research on the person they tell you about. Go online and see what else is being said about the shop.

Think about snapping some photos of your entire car prior to bringing it in for repairs somewhere. Though the majority of such shops are trustworthy, some shops strip vehicles for profit. It is wise to have proof of your car’s condition, should something unfortunate occur.

If you have been having minor car issues, you should have them checked out. Many people ignore smaller issues, and they eventually lead to much larger issues.

Transmission Fluid

Don’t fall prey to believing someone who tells you there is a lifetime guarantee for auto parts. This is often just for you to have to pay them more cash. For example, some cars come with “lifetime” transmission fluid. Transmission fluid needs to be changed every 80K miles or so.

As this article said to you before, you really must be sure to take care of your vehicle. Simple maintenance tips can help you save so much money and keep you out of the auto repair shop. Use what you have learned here the next time you find your car behaving strangely.