Following along with your instincts when fixing a vehicle is not always the best thing to do. Instead, it is necessary to learn how to care for your expensive investment. The importance of a vehicle to your life can make thinking about expensive repairs a nerve wracking experience. However, you can make yourself feel better about how things are going by reading through the following tips.

Never underestimate how important it is to carrying an emergency kit inside your vehicle. Be sure the kit has tools for charging the battery, adding gas to the tank, and changing tires. It is also wise to include a flashlight, some fresh batteries and a blanket in case your vehicle breaks down in cold weather or at night.

When you arrive at a repair shop, don’t be afraid to ask questions. Your questions should focus on the problems your car has and also what steps you can take to prevent this problem from occurring in the future. You can save a lot of money when you know how to prevent problems.

Tag the important pages in your vehicle manual. This will help you when it comes time for you to visit your mechanic if a major problem occurs. You may also find answers to your problems, inside.

When bringing your car to a mechanic, tell them you want OEM parts. These parts are original and from the manufacturer. While they often cost a little more, they typically work better for longer periods of time. 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.

Regularly clean your headlights to keep them shining bright. Sometimes, dirt from the road transfers over to your lights dim them. Wash them with glass cleaner and you should be able to see better.

Ask your mechanic if he’s worked on a vehicle similar to yours. Cars can differ significantly, even if the general mechanical principles are the same. A luxury SUV is quite different from a hybrid Prius, for example. It may be worth the extra cost to have a specialized dealer fix a major problem with your car.

A spare tire and a jack are essential items to keep in your trunk. Most vehicles come with them, but you want to check anyway. You would hate to be stuck out in the road and be forced to spend money on a tow. It is much easier and inexpensive to do it yourself.

Keep track of how often you need to change your oil. It is essential to have your oil changed so that your engine runs properly and and works at its peak performance. Be sure to remember this, because making sure you get an oil change on time can help extend your vehicle’s life.

There is no reason why car repairs should have the power to ruin your day. Auto repair is not a walk in the park, but it doesn’t have to be a walk off a plank either. Take the advice in this article and apply it next time your car starts making “that noise again.”