Does your car require repairs to operate well? Even if the answer isn’t yes right now, you have probably experienced car trouble in the past. Feelings of uncertainty about auto repair may also be familiar to you. So, what do you do? Keep reading to understand what you can do when your car needs repairs.
Battery Charger
Get a good battery charger to keep in your vehicle. Dead batteries are a common problem, and you should always have a charger or cables on you at all times. It is important to not only have the battery charger but to know how it works as well in case you are alone.
Before giving your car keys to the service department, make sure you know what the cost for the repair will be. If something is not clear, clarify it with the service adviser or mechanic before starting any repair on the car. Being hit with additional fees is something that you don’t want to be surprised with.
Ask the technician at the repair shop you are considering if they have done work on the same make and model of vehicle before. If they say that they have, this should be a good indicator that they have some idea of what needs to be done to get your car back into shape.
You must keep good track of all your car records. It’s a good idea to place them in the vehicle you drive just in case you’re in need of repairs while you’re out and about. Professional mechanics are going to ask for those records. Good documentation can help diagnose problems a lot faster.
Check online for reviews of local mechanics. This will give you an idea of how the public likes their customer service, and how well they are at fixing problems. After gathering information, you can select the right shop for you.
Test Drive
If possible, test drive your car prior to paying for repairs. A lot of people forget to test drive their vehicle and pay for repairs that did not really fix their problem.
Watch out for mechanics that don’t know what they’re doing. If you’re receiving double-talk when you ask them a question, they are probably not the mechanic for you. It is good to feel like you trust your mechanic, so move on if you don’t feel like you can.
Do not neglect your wiper blades. If your windshield wipers are no longer keeping the rain off your windshield, or if they make noise or leave streaks, it is time to replace them. If you live somewhere that gets rain often, think about replacing your wiper blades yearly.
Keep washing your car throughout the winter. Believe it or not, the winter months are tough on your vehicle. In particular, it can cause the car to rust. Pick a warmer day and dry the car completely before heading back onto the road.
Consider taking pictures of all areas of your vehicle before you bring it in to be repaired at an auto body shop. While many shops won’t strip your car, some will in order to make more money. Therefore, documenting your vehicle can help you identify stolen items in case this were to happen to you.
Warranties are extremely important when it comes to auto repairs, particularly if you’ve purchased expensive parts. You should ask your mechanic about the warranty on the parts they order for you. Have a version of this warranty printed up so you can keep it with your records.
You don’t want people selling you parts that are said to be guaranteed for life. Most of the time this is just a way for them to get their hands on more of your money. Some vehicles come with a “lifetime” fluid for your transmission. This fluid does last longer, but you still should change it approximately every 80,000 miles.
Have you ever wondered what OEM means? These initials mean Original Equipment Manufacturer. Keep this in mind when you are having parts replaced on your vehicle. When you tell your mechanic that OEM parts are what you want, you sound like you have some knowledge. They’ll rarely try to scam you as a result.
Once a mechanic diagnoses your car, ask if you can take some time to consider whether or not you want to hire them. Contact other shops or dealerships and compare what they would charge for repairs suggested by the first mechanic. If you are able to find a better price, you might owe the shop some diagnostic labor, but you will not be stuck with an overpriced repair.
Mechanics that estimate over $200 for service should be asked for a written statement. Having written proof can help you in the future. The mechanic is also going to be much less likely to take advantage of you.
Windshield Washer
Don’t put water in the windshield washer compartment. Even though water can clean the windshield, the windshield washer system is designed to receive washer fluid and using some water could damage it. Check the compartment regularly to see if it needs to be refilled. Do not insist when the compartment seems to be empty.
When dealing with auto repair estimates, have the mechanic give you a detailed list of the repairs and labor costs. Breaking the repairs down facilitates easy comparison between more than one repair service. Part costs should not differ greatly, so it will be the service cost that you are comparing.
Wash off your floor mats when you wash your car. Dirt is something that can get lodged in your car’s mats and that can eat through it after a while. Holes are not only ugly, but they also pave the way for debris to damage the carpet underneath the mats.
Use the tips above the next time your car is in need of repairs. As always, you must stay informed on this topic. You should now feel more comfortable about handling your auto repair needs.