When your car breaks down, it is difficult to know what to do. When you don’t understand the process of fixing them, you need to learn all you can. Use the tips discussed below to maintain your car and avoid making any costly errors when it needs to be taken in for repairs.

Make sure all repair records are kept close. One good place to keep them is in a folder in the trunk right above your spare tire. Auto repair professionals likely will want to see those records. This will help to diagnose any problems.

Try to get OEM parts for your car. These parts come from the manufacturer of your car. It can cost a lot less to use parts that are generic, but you won’t get the most out of these things after a while. Although you save money in the short term with generic parts, its not really a deal if they have to be replaced again in a few years.

Make sure any mechanic you hire knows about your particular vehicle. There are many similarities between vehicles but some issues are specific to certain makes and models. If you don’t think the shop you are going to really knows what they are doing, take your car to the dealer instead.

You need a spare tire and jack with you all the time. Most new cars come with them. You don’t need to be stuck somewhere you don’t know and need to pay a lot for towing. It’s far more convenient and less costly to take care of it yourself.

Keep a DIY tool kit in your trunk. For instance, if anything dealing with tire changes came with the car, have this in your car. If you don’t have a jack and lug wrench, get one. In addition, include a few different screwdrivers and wrenches. Avoid purchasing cheap tools. Solid and sturdy tools are ideal so you don’t have to worry about them malfunctioning.

Wiper Blades

Wiper blades are a very important component to your car. If your wipers don’t do a good job, you need to replace them. Wiper blades should at least be changed yearly, and sometimes you need to do this more often.

Is a work-at-home mechanic a viable option? For basic repairs they can charge far less and you both can be happy. This can help the home mechanic out and save you a lot of money over the charges of bigger repair shops.

Before taking your car in, ask friends for referrals. Their thoughts can make the whole search a lot simpler. Don’t rely entirely on what your friends tell you, though; do your own research. Check online reviews at the very least.

Educate yourself on the basics of car repairs and warranties before going to the mechanic. There are a few different kinds of parts. New items have recently been made by the manufacturer. “Refurbished”, “rebuilt”, etc. mean that the part is like new, and potentially even better than new, as it has been renovated and tested repeatedly. Salvage parts are used.

Warranties are very important when you get your car fixed, especially if you invest in expensive parts. For any parts that you order, inquire about their warranty from the mechanic. Figure out what the warranty covers and if you can get a copy of it so that you can look over it.

There are a lot of body shops that will put older tires on your car. This is done for profiting from ignorance. Mark your tires with some chalks before taking your car to an auto shop. When you pick up the vehicle, make sure that the chalk is still present, otherwise you have been scammed.

No matter what a mechanic tells you, be aware that flushing your engine is an exceptional procedure. It is definitely not part of your car’s ordinary, routine maintenance. Flushing an engine can be expensive and is only needed in cases where the engine is in bad shape.

Have you heard of the term OEM? Well, OEM is a term used to describe car components that come from the original manufacturer. If you need something replaced on your car, you should remember this. If you walk in and tell the mechanic that you want OEM parts, you will sound knowledgeable. This will lower your chances of getting someone that places used components in your vehicle.

Always contact the manufacturer if you’re experiencing safety-related problems with a new car. They may already have recalled the model, or may need reports like yours to do so in future. Many times, the manufacturer will repair it for you.

Figure out the maximum you’re willing to spend when someone is going to work on your car. If you drop the car off for an assessment, don’t allow them to make repairs without consulting you. Set a dollar amount that cannot be surpassed without an authorization from you.

Water is something you shouldn’t put in the compartment made for your windshield washing solution. The system needs windshield washer fluid, so water can damage the system. Make sure to regularly check and fill your windshield wiper compartment. Do not put in water when the compartment is empty.

The panic and confusion that follows a car breaking down is something that many dread. If you do not understand the process of car repair, you may not know where to go next. The information in this article should give you the guidance needed to have your car repaired properly.