Your car is a huge investment you have to care for. Perhaps you’re not sure if you know enough about cars, but are willing to learn. If that is true, continue reading and learn about the basics of car repair.

Never underestimate how important it is to carrying an emergency kit inside your vehicle. Assemble a kit that has tools for changing tires, charging the battery and putting more gas in the car. Also, flashlights, batteries and blankets are all crucial items as well.

Ask all the questions you have at the shop. Focus particularly on the issue that you have; make sure to inquire about what you can do to prevent similar problems in the future. An ounce of prevention can save you a lot of money over time.

When you are experiencing car trouble, you may not have to call a mechanic. You can easily learn to perform small repairs yourself. Research into auto repair online may help you identify the problem. It’s not too hard to do, and you’ll be able to get money saved back to start repairing things.

Every time you have your car fixed, regardless of the reason, you should take note of it. If further issues develop later, the mechanic may want to see the historical documentation of what has already been done. If you do not have the records, you might end up paying more for the mechanic to poke around trying to find the source of the trouble.

Don’t get stuck with a mechanic who will make repairs on your vehicle that are not necessary. Good mechanics will tell you about worn down pieces without replacing them automatically. Don’t trust a mechanic who has done repairs without asking.

When taking your car to the auto shop, make sure you haven’t left any items in it. The mechanic might have to remove certain items, and they won’t be liable if it goes missing. Remove all items from your trunk too.

If you think your headlines are not as bright as usual, inspect them for cleanliness. Sometimes the road’s greasy residue can get on a light and reduce the output of light. Use glass cleaner to clean them, and you will notice a big difference.

Look for warning signs that repair mechanics may give off. If you have trouble getting a straight answer out of them, (or if, even worse, they refuse to answer questions to your satisfaction) they probably aren’t the kind of people you want to work with. It is important to have full confidence in the competence of your mechanic. If you don’t, then move on to a better choice.

Replacing the bulbs on your taillights or headlights yourself can save you both time and money. Hiring a professional to install new lights costs a lot of money. Ask someone you know if they can instruct you on how to do it.

It is just as important to get your car washed in winter as it is in summer. Your car may get dirty again quickly, but all that buildup is terrible for your car. Sand is abrasive to your paint, and salt will make that damage rust quickly. Just make sure you dry the car thoroughly before heading back out onto the roads to prevent icing.

Take photos of your vehicle prior to bringing it into any shop. Most shops won’t damage your vehicle, but you never know. You should document what the vehicle looks like in case you experience this terrible thing.

One of the trickiest ways that shady mechanics rip customers off is by adding repairs that weren’t agreed to in the beginning. They do this to make you think you are getting a bargain. Don’t make any hasty decisions; call around and find out if there aren’t better deals to be had.

When you find a mechanic you like, stick with them for all of your auto repairs. Stick to a trusted mechanic whom you have used before instead of going to multiple places for repairs. Every shop will vary in what they do and how they treat your vehicle. The amounts they charge you may vary and you may have to pay more.

Some things you can do yourself, including adding oil and other fluids. You can do these things just as well as a trained auto mechanic can. Learn how to do the job before beginning, but understand that it may be dirty.

Be sure that you get a written estimate whenever your repairs will be over a couple hundred dollars. A written contract between you and the mechanic regarding repairs is your best insurance if you happen to end up in court. Besides, the mechanic will be less likely to add unnecessary repairs to your bill if he already provided you with a written quote.

When you find a reliable repair shop that does quality repairs, show them you appreciate their work by giving them your return business. One of the ways to save money on car repairs is to establish a relationship with a good mechanic. Because you are a repeat customer, you might get some kind of discount.

When you are getting a quote for repairs from an auto mechanic, be sure to have him itemize the parts and labor costs. Your comparison with quotes from other shops will then be easy to do. Parts will more than likely cost the same unless a mechanic is being dishonest. Focus on the cost of service to compare repair shops.

As said in the beginning of this article, taking care of your car is very important. Knowing just the simplest of things can save you quite a bit of money. Use the tips here and keep them in mind when your car acts strangely or you are worried about a minor problem with your car.