What You Should Know About Fixing Your Vehicle
You should prepare yourself with the right information to have your car repaired if it develops a problem. If you're going to be shelling out a lot of money to have your car repaired, there are some basic things you need to know. Read on to learn what to do the next time your car needs repair.
Familiarize yourself with the dashboard of your car. Your dashboard should display five different kinds of warning, including the check engine light, oil pressure warning, an alternator warning, a temperature warning and a brake warning. Learn to recognize these different lights so you can easily identify what needs your attention.
Do an online search of reviews about your local automotive repair shop. This can give you a good indication of how satisfied customers are with their work. It will allow you to find a shop that has everything you're looking for.
Request OEM parts. OEM parts means that part was produced by the manufacturer specifically for your make and model of vehicle. Generic parts may be cheaper, but the quality may not be the same as OEM parts. What is a cheap option now could be an expensive option later.
Don't get sucked into to the lure of aftermarket parts for new cars. You want your baby to run as well as possible for as long as possible, and that means spending the extra to get parts that match the ones already in your car. Trying to get that clunker to run just a few more miles? Save the money and take the aftermarket versions.
Replace your light bulbs on your own. Some vehicles make it easier to do, but it's cheaper than getting a mechanic to do it. If you know anyone who is comfortable with cars, ask if they can show you how it's done.
Always keep some tail light tape around. You could get pulled over and get a ticket for a broken tail light. You should remove the light from your vehicle, replace the light-bulb if you need to and wrap the whole light in tape. This is a temporary fix but it is better than driving with a broken light.
If you are planning a road trip, make sure that you go and have your car serviced. Plan it a little ahead so you are not rushing to get it done at the last minute. Even if your car feels fine, you want to make sure that you will make it to your destination and back with no issues.
Before you pay the bill for any larger auto repair work, give your car a test drive. You want to make sure that the repairs were done to your satisfaction. If you haven't paid, it makes it much easier to talk about any lingering issues that may still be around that need further fixing.
If you are paying to have new parts installed in your car, ask the mechanic if you can see them. There is no reason why he should refuse to let you see what you have paid for. If you have any indication that the items are not new, tell the mechanic that you will be getting the work done elsewhere.
Ask auto body shops that you are considering if they offer a warranty on their repairs. Any reputable shop is more than happy to guarantee their work on new parts for at least a few months. If any one that you talk to does not you should certainly find a different shop.
Never underestimate Walmart when it comes to having certain services done on your car. You can get an oil change there for quite a bit less than you will pay for one at an auto shop. They also sell tires that are priced much better than those at most tire shops.
If you go to an auto mechanic and you are asking a lot of questions, take notice of his demeanor. It is perfectly normal for people to have questions about vehicle repairs. If he seems like he is bothered by you asking questions, you should probably go elsewhere to get your repairs done.
Pay attention to any unusual sounds coming from your vehicle. Notes can be helpful if your car is having issues. If you're able to describe a particular sound to the mechanic, you may save some time and money because the problem will be easier to diagnose.
While it is tempting to use cheaper aftermarket parts on your car, it is best to go with Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts. These are parts designed by the maker of your car. The fit is perfect. For a machine as expertly engineered as a modern automobile, this will extend the life of your car.
With the information you have learned, you will know what to do if your car needs some type of repair The tips mentioned earlier should give you more confidence about auto repair. Keep them in mind going forward, and make wise decisions about auto repair.