Faced with high repair bills, you may have wondered if you could do it yourself. It can be nerve-wracking to attempt your own repairs, but after you know how, it’s really very liberating. You could also save a lot of money by fixing your car yourself and performing preventative maintenance. See how possible it is to do car repairs on your own by reading the tips below.

When you take your car to the shop, ask plenty of questions about your vehicle. Find out what caused the issues, and ask what you can do so this does not happen again. You can prevent issues with your automobile, saving you some money.

Your radiator needs to be looked over regularly. Allow your car to run for just a few minutes, then shut off the engine, and open up the hood. Never open the radiator while the car is on. Use a dipstick to check the radiator’s fluid level, and remember to always mix water in with your coolant if need be. Some coolants come premixed.

Keep your car records on hand. The glove compartment is a good place to keep these records. Auto repair professionals likely will want to see those records. They aid in speeding up the diagnosing process.

Request OEM parts. Those are the original parts from the manufacturer. Although generic parts are more affordable, OEM parts are better quality and will last longer. 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.

Watch out for mechanics that don’t know what they’re doing. If they beat around the bush and act shifty, they may not be the one you want to work with. You want to be able to trust the person doing your repairs, so go elsewhere.

Assemble repair tools and keep them in your car, so you are prepared at all times. Basic tools that should be included are tire changing tools. Make sure you have a wrench that can loosen the lug nuts on your tires. You will need several screwdrivers, ratchets, socket wrenches, an adjustable wrench and a torque wrench. You should not have cheap tools. You want tools that are reliable and up to the task at hand.

Remember that DIY auto repair may be quite dangerous. You need someone assisting you so that there is an emergency plan in place. Spend a little more on tools of high quality that will not fall apart. This is particularly true with tire changing tools. Remember that your jack needs to hold your car up very securely, especially if you are going to be underneath the car. This is why it is wise for you to use quality hydraulic floor jacks and jack stands.

Take pictures of your car prior to having it serviced. While many shops won’t strip your car, some will in order to make more money. Keep track of serial numbers on parts, just in case.

Even if your car only seems to have a small issue going on, you should definitely have it looked at. An issue that might seem minor could end up turning into a nightmare down the road.

Keep an eye open for a shop that takes off your good tires and puts older ones on. This is done for profiting from ignorance. Before visiting the shop, use chalk to mark your tires. If the chalk is not present when you go pick up the car, you have definitely been had.

Some vocational schools offer cheap repairs to those on a budget. You’ll get a deep discount for letting students fix your car under the watchful eye of a certified mechanic.

Always bleed the brakes after working on them or preceding a test drive. Then pump out the brake fluid. Test for leaks to be sure the fluid won’t run out. You should then be ready to take your car for a spin down less-busy roads. Begin slowly to be sure they’re repaired well prior to trying higher speeds.

If you’re experiencing a major problem with your brand new car, call the manufacturer immediately. Manufacturers issue recalls for some vehicles that have recurring issues and you can get your manufacturer to consider recalling the vehicle if other people run into the same problem. The manufacturer may even fix your car free of charge.

It is possible to put oil in your car and refill windshield wiper fluid yourself. It’s a misconception that everyday maintenance must be performed by a professional repair shop. You should not hesitate to do some repairs yourself, as long as you have the proper skills and knowledge.

Once a mechanic diagnoses your car, ask if you can take some time to consider whether or not you want to hire them. Speak with other dealerships to get different estimates on the job. 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.

Pay attention to any sounds your car is making. When your car is making noise, there is generally something wrong. If you can tell your mechanic what the car sounds like, you can help him diagnose the problem easier, and perhaps save you some money.

Ask to have your old parts given back to you. This is a good way to ensure the repairs have indeed been performed. This should be a necessary part of ensuring quality repairs. You can easily see whether a new exhaust system is installed.

Auto Repair

Do not be intimidated by doing your own auto repair. While the sights under a car’s hood may seem foreign to you, a bit of education is all you need in order to do your own repairs. Remember this article if you need to refer to it. Quality auto repair can be possible if you use them to your advantage.