A car can be a time and money sink if it is not taken care of properly. It is important to familiarize yourself with your car and learn more about simple methods you can use to fix small problems. Keep reading to save money and time later.
You need to know about all costs before handing your keys over. If something is unclear, have the mechanic or service counter rep clarify it for you before any work is done on the car. You don’t want to be hit with unexpected charges after the repairs are done.
Make sure that you have car records on file. A good place to keep these records in the glove box, so you can produce them on demand when talking to a mechanic. The mechanics who work on your car will need to see your maintenance records before working on your car. They can diagnose issues quicker.
Always keep a record of any maintenance done to your car. Future problems can be easily solved when auto technicians have access to past records. Your car problems may be harder to find and you may have higher repair costs without the records.
Get together a kit for car repairs that you can keep in your vehicle. The tools you need include tire changing equipment, which usually come with a car. You need to get yourself a lug nut wrench and a jack, as well. You should probably get a few screwdrivers with various shapes as well as different wrenches like for this kit. Don’t buy poor-quality tools. Buy quality, reliable tools that are not going to break.
When you have a burnt out light on your car, it can save you some money if you’re able to repair it yourself. Doing so is easier in some cars than others, but it is still cheaper than paying a mechanic to make the replacement. Ask a friend if they’ll help you learn how its done.
Wiper Blades
Never forget about your wiper blades. If your wipers are not doing a good job or often streak or chatter, you need new ones. Wiper blades should be replaced when they wear out, or at least once per year. This can be more often if your location receives a lot of rain.
Try looking for someone who fixes cars on their own property. You want to make sure the person is qualified, of course, but home mechanics can save you money on labor costs. This savings in labor costs can add up to hundreds. It also supports a small independent business.
Ask about prices and labor rates before you give your keys to a mechanic. A few shops hide their rates, so make sure to read the fine print and ask questions whenever necessary. You must know what you’re being billed. Some stores are able to give you an estimate for how long they’ll keep your car. Sometimes, minor jobs may take longer than indicated.
Keep an eye on all of the warning lights on your dashboard and know what they mean. These warning lights are meant to help alert you to potential problems. Ignoring these warning lights will not make the problem go away.
Doing repairs on your own can be hazardous. Always have someone close at hand to help you in case of emergency. Buy some good quality tools that will last. Nowhere is this more applicable than with the items you use to change a tire. Remember that you need a jack that can hold the vehicle up especially when you need to get under it. This is why it is wise for you to use quality hydraulic floor jacks and jack stands.
Take a second to read the manual and learn about the different components within your vehicle before visiting a mechanic. There are several classifications. These include “new”, “re-manufactured, rebuilt, and reconditioned”, and “salvaged.” New parts are brand new and made to the manufacturer’s specification. Rebuilt and reconditioned and re-manufacturered parts have been restored to working condition. “Salvage” means that it came off a car and hasn’t been fixed.
There are some sketchy mechanics that will take your tires and put old ones on your car. It is a scam that is used to make more money off of uneducated people. Before visiting the shop, use chalk to mark your tires. If the marks are gone when you get your vehicle back, you have probably been swindled.
Bleed your brakes after you’ve worked on them and before you take your car out on the road. Once you have bled the brakes, pump up the fluid of your brakes. You are trying to find leaks in your device to make sure there are no problems. You are then ready to test drive your car on roads that don’t have a lot of traffic. Be slow when you start so you’re sure of whether or not the repair worked.
OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer. Whenever you have to have parts replaced, keep this term in mind. If you walk in and tell the mechanic that you want OEM parts, you will sound knowledgeable. Your mechanic will not try using second hand parts if you ask for OEM parts.
Keep your mechanic receipts in a file in your glove box. Either divide these files by the type of repair that is done, or chronologically arrange them so that you have the most recent receipt on the top of the file. Either way, you will have a complete record of your car’s maintenance that will be helpful to your mechanic when more repairs are needed and helpful to you if you are dissatisfied with a repair. This is particularly valuable when it is time to sell your car.
As evidenced by the article above, learning as much as you can about repairing vehicles can give you life-long benefits. Besides gaining the ability to teach others, you will be able to save money by doing your own car repairs. Use these tips and fix problems yourself only if you are comfortable enough.