A car can be a time and money sink if it is not taken care of properly. In addition to knowing some basic facts about your car, there are other things that can help you out. Continue reading to learn excellent auto repair tips that will help you save time and money.

One of the most important qualifications to look for in a mechanic is the ASE certification. This means the technician has completed a test and has more than two years of experience. This tells you that the mechanic is qualified to work on your car.

Keep good records for your car’s history. You want these with you when you go to get repairs done; a great place to store them is the glove compartment. Any mechanic who works on your car is going to want to see them. They help them figure out what’s wrong quickly.

You ought to always have a spare and a jack in the car. Most new cars come with them. The cost of a tow for a flat isn’t worth it! It’s far more convenient and less costly to take care of it yourself.

Make a DIY kit to store in the trunk to help you in times of need. You will want to have the tools necessary to change a tire, and they likely came with the vehicle. If you don’t have a jack and lug wrench, get one. You may ask want to get a variety of screwdrivers, ratchets, socket wrenches and the like. Cheap tools are not worth your money. Choose tools which will last the test of time, especially when they’re required.

Replacing a burnt-out headlight or taillight is much cheaper when you do it by yourself. It’s easier to do in some cars, but it’s more cost effective than hiring a mechanic. If you are not confident, ask a friend or family member if they can help you.

Keep an eye on all of the warning lights on your dashboard and know what they mean. Your dashboard lights warn you of potential problems. If you ignore them, the problem will only become worse than it is now.

Always remember when you need to have the oil changed in your car. Changing your oil regularly is very important to keep your vehicle running smoothly. Be sure to remember this, because making sure you get an oil change on time can help extend your vehicle’s life.

Check the tire pressure each time you fill up on gas. Look over your tires to be sure nothing has become embedded in them. Any problems should be repaired pronto. The outcome of driving on damaged tires can be fatal.

Know about car parts prior to visiting a mechanic. There are several different classifications of car parts, and these include salvage, new, and re-manufactured and reconditioned. New parts are brand new and made to the manufacturer’s specification. Buying a rebuilt or reconditioned part means the part has been damaged and fixed in the past. Salvaged parts are those that have some wear and tear to them.

You don’t want to diagnose complex auto issues on your own. It’s important to remember that you’re not the expert. It may be a problem that’s harder to fix than you think. Let the professionals diagnose your problem. Be sure that you give them all the details, such as what you heard or what occurred. By doing this, a more accurate diagnosis can be made.

Ask about other potential problems so that there will be so surprises when you come to pick up your car, The purpose is to strike a bargain and convince you that you have gotten a good deal. Tell them you want to take a few hours to make a decision and then call around for quotes from other shops.

Talk to the manufacturer when you have a safety issue which could be fatal. There might be a recall issued for the vehicle or the manufacturer will consider issuing a recall if you are not the only person who complains. Oftentimes, the manufacturer will have your car fixed.

You can replace your oil or top up your windshield fluid on your own. You can do these things just as well as a trained auto mechanic can. You should not hesitate to do some repairs yourself, as long as you have the proper skills and knowledge.

When you have work done on your car, have the mechanic give you the old parts when they are finished. If he won’t do it, he probably never replaced the parts he said he did. This is a red flag that should be raised.

Pay attention to any unusual sounds coming from your vehicle. Noise can mean everything when identifying a problem. Describing the noise to a mechanic may make it simpler for him to figure out what is wrong.

When you’re speaking to mechanics you should ask them questions. You need to get some details on the kind of repairs needed. How long are the repairs going to take? What work will be done? How much will the parts cost? Ask any other questions you can think of. This will not only show the mechanic that you are well informed, it will also help should the same issue pop up again.

As discussed above, learning a few things about auto repair can help you fix small problems yourself and save a lot of money. In addition to being self-reliant and being able to help others, you can cut down your car repair costs. Keep in mind the advice from this article in order to perform minor repairs on your own.