Whenever you experience car problems, it is important that you take the necessary steps to fix them. When you have no car, you may be stranded. Car repairs can be expensive, sometimes running into thousands of dollars, but they don’t necessarily have to be. Many simple repairs and maintenance procedures can be done by you.

Make sure to study your owners manual. This can help prevent a trip to the auto shop if you can fix the issue yourself. The issue may be very simple to fix, saving you time and money.

Be sure to keep your car’s records. Keep these records in the glove compartment in the event that you need to make an emergency stop at your mechanic’s shop. The auto shop will definitely want to see any records. It will aid them in figuring out any issues.

Before making your payment to the mechanic when picking up your car, take it out for a spin first to check that everything is working. People often don’t do this, realizing afterward that the problem still persists.

Do not let mechanics do repairs that are not warranted on your car. A trustworthy mechanic should inform you about parts that are becoming worn and will need replacement in the near future, but no parts should be replaced without first getting your approval. If you notice a mechanic has made unnecessary repairs to your vehicle, do not go to the same one next time.

When bringing your car to a mechanic, tell them you want OEM parts. OEM parts means that part was produced by the manufacturer specifically for your make and model of vehicle. It’s cheaper to get the generic parts, but the quality may not be the same. What saves you a bit of money in the short term, may end up costing you dearly in the long term.

Your wiper blades need TLC. If your wipers don’t do a good job, you need to replace them. Try to replace these blades once a year so that you can drive safely in the rain.

Change your oil at least once every couple of months to stay safe. If you want your car to run the way it should, its oil needs to be changed regularly. Running old oil in the car could cause it to run badly so make sure you make the pertinent dates on your calendar.

You don’t necessarily have to visit your auto dealer to get work done. Great mechanics abound in local garages. Find someone who you are comfortable with and stick with them.

Doing repairs on your own can be hazardous. Should something happen, be sure someone else is around. Buy only the highest quality tools that will last and not break under pressure. You’ll especially need good equipment for changing tires. Make sure that the jack in your car can securely hold up the vehicle so you are safe while using it. A hydraulic floor jack featuring approved stands is best for these situations.

Checking your tire pressure can help save you money and wear and tear on tires. Look at the tires and make sure that they there is nothing embedded in them. If you notice a problem with your tires, get it fixed immediately. Driving on the highway with corrupt tires can be very dangerous.

Take a second to read the manual and learn about the different components within your vehicle before visiting a mechanic. Parts can be new, refurbished, or salvaged. New means that the parts were made to meet the standard manufacturer specifications by an independent retailer or the dealer themselves. Refurbished parts are ones that have been repaired. Parts that are salvaged are used; therefore, they cannot be altered.

Watch out for the type of shop that will take off your good tires and put old ones on. They prey on the ignorant, those who don’t pay much attention to their car. Take a piece of chalk and mark the tires prior to dropping off your vehicle. If there is no chalk when your service is complete, you’ve been had.

If you are short on funds and need repairs done on your car, consider taking your vehicle to a vocational school. There your car will be worked on by students learning their craft. They are inexperienced, of course, but they will be under the watchful eye of a trained, experienced mechanic.

Don’t believe a mechanic who tries to tell you that you need to get your engine flushed as a part of a routine maintenance. This expensive service is only necessary if you have introduced the wrong fluids into your system or have not been changing the oil often enough.

OEM is also known as the Original Equipment Manufacturer. Whenever you have to have parts replaced, keep this term in mind. If you let your mechanic know that you only want OEM parts, you’ll appear to be knowledgeable. This could very well prevent someone from outfitting your car with old parts.

If you get an estimate from a mechanic, tell them you need a few hours to think about it before making your decision. This will allow you to call around and see how much other people would charge to fix a problem similar to yours. If the price quoted is excessive, pay for the diagnosis and leave.

Try to gain some knowledge of your car after you purchase it. If you do not know much about cars, consider taking an auto repair class. The money you spend on a class will be well worth it. You’ll be able to notice issues before they develop into serious ones, and that will extend the life of your car.

There are many things, such as changing oil, checking fluids and changing tires that can be easily within your skill level. If you take care of the problem yourself, you can save a lot of money. Make the most of this information so that you are not off the road for long.