Vehicle issues can be an incredible nuisance, and often strike out of nowhere. By learning some auto repair information, you can save lots of money and stress. Keep this advice about auto repair in mind. It will come in handy the next time your car breaks down.

Buy a good battery charger to keep in the car. Dead batteries are a common occurrence and you’d be able to aid other drivers who have broken down. Familiarize yourself with how the charger hooks up to your battery.

Monitor your radiator. Let the car run a couple minutes, shut your engine and open up your hood. Never, ever open the radiator while the car is still on. Check your radiator fluid and remember to mix water with coolant before filling your radiator.

It is a good idea to use referrals to find a decent mechanic. Ask the people you know for their recommendations. You can inquire about price, work quality and overall satisfaction. People will tell you about the mechanic’s honesty and if their experience was a good one.

Once a repair shop has finished with your car, go on a quick spin to make sure things are working properly. Many people don’t take this crucial step and wind up plagued by the same issue that brought them to the shop in the first place.

Buy OEM parts. OEM parts are parts that are made by the manufacturer. It may be cheaper to take generic parts, but there’s no knowing the true quality of those parts over the many years to come. A cheap, generic part is less of a bargain if it only lasts half as long as an OEM part would.

If your headlights don’t seem very bright, check them to see if they are clean. Sometimes there is a residue that covers them from the streets and that can make them dirty so they cannot put out enough light. Cleaning your lights with a glass cleaner will allow them to perform better.

Your repair person should be upfront and honest with you. If you’re receiving double-talk when you ask them a question, they are probably not the mechanic for you. It is important that you establish trust with the person who is going to fix your vehicle.

Keep a spare tire and jack in your trunk. Most of the new cars of today have them in the trunk. This way you won’t get stuck anywhere and need to pay someone to tow you. You can save a lot by doing it yourself.

If you are having extensive repairs done, make sure that you get several estimates. Although shops are generally trustworthy, you may end up paying for extra repairs you don’t need. Try to find shops that are experts in fixing your specific type of car. They may have an easier time understanding what needs to be done to your car.

Any auto issue can be very annoying, even frustrating. They are often quite expensive as well. However, when you know what you’re doing, you are better equipped to handle auto repairs. Apply what you’ve learned here, and make smart auto repair decisions.