When your car breaks down, your first priority should be to get it up and running again. Being stuck without a working vehicle makes getting around very difficult. It is not always necessary to spend a lot of money to get your car fixed. You can save a lot of money by fixing the issue on your own.

Do not let a mechanic work on your vehicle unless they are A.S.E. certified. This type of certification means two years experience and also a passed written test. That way, you can have the best mechanics working on your car.

Always keep and eye on the radiator to make sure that it is full. Let the car idle for a short period first, but only long enough to let the fluid circulate. You never want to open up the radiator if your car is still running. Check the fluid in your radiator and always mix water with the coolant before adding it.

Every time your car is repaired, regardless of how minor the problem was, make sure you keep a record. If your car has issues in the future, it is useful to be able to give your mechanic all such records. You might end up paying more if you don’t have them, because it will be more difficult to diagnose the issue.

Make sure your headlights are clean if they don’t look as bright. Greasy residue from a road can deposit on them sometimes and that dirt can reduce the light they’re putting out. Clean your car’s headlights and taillights with a glass cleaner.

Be sure that you know whether or not you have a mechanic that can help you with your vehicle. Though there are lots of universal concepts, a large SUV requires different knowledge than a compact car does. If you don’t know, make sure you go to the dealer and pay them the extra money.

Always be prepared for a flat tire by having a spare tire, jack and tire iron in your vehicle at all times. Newer cars almost always have them. You do not want to stuck in the middle of nowhere and have to pay a ton of money for a tow. It is simpler and cheaper to do the work yourself.

If you’re having serious repairs done on your vehicle, make sure to get multiple estimates. While most mechanics can be trusted, you might wind up being charged more than is necessary. Check out other options which are trustworthy. There’s a good chance that these shops will know how to repair your car.

Try not to do many repairs by yourself on your car. Always get someone to be near you if an emergency were to happen. It’s worth your money to spend more on a higher quality tool. This is especially true of your tire changing equipment. A good quality jack is very important, particularly since you will be under the vehicle. This is the reason why you should use a reliable hydraulic floor jack equipped with the right jack stands.

Find out a little about the car parts you need before you go to a mechanic. There are a few different kinds of parts. New parts are newly created to the specifications of the manufacturer. If you are offered parts that are reconditioned or rebuilt, this means that they have been re-manufactured so that they are like new. “Salvage” means that it came off a car and hasn’t been fixed.

Some untrustworthy shops will give you old tires in the place of your original tires. This is done for profiting from ignorance. Before visiting the shop, use chalk to mark your tires. When you pick up the vehicle, make sure that the chalk is still present, otherwise you have been scammed.

Often people return to pay for repairs, only to find out the mechanic says there is another issue. They often try to make you think you’re getting a great deal. Do not let a mechanic make repairs on your car without permission, and shop around for better prices if your mechanic suggest additional repairs.

For things that aren’t too difficult to repair, like putting fluids in your car, you should be afraid to take care of these things. Do not assume you need to hire a mechanic to do this because you have no experience with maintaining your vehicle. Learn how to do the job online, which has many resources to teach you, then jump right in.

Don’t hire the mechanic who diagnosed your car right away. Call other garages or dealerships and ask how much they would charge you for the kind of repairs the first mechanic is advocating. If you can get the work done cheaper, bring your car elsewhere. Just be sure to pay the mechanic for the labor involved in the diagnosis.

The dealer’s mechanics are expensive but worth it. Technicians at the dealership are often more knowledgeable about the make and model of your car. It’s easy for them to diagnose and repair any problems your car may have. Regular training sessions are also part of their job.

You should get a plastic file to store all your receipts for repairs and keep it in your vehicle. With this type of file, you can seperate them chronologically, by type of maintenance and by repair, all in one place. That will allow both you and your mechanic to keep track of what has already been done to your car. This will be valuable to you.

If they do great work at a auto shop you’ve been to, try going to them when you need future work done. Being a repeat customer and using a good mechanic will help ensure that you get quality work. You could qualify for discounts for being a loyal customer.

You can fix your car on your own sometimes, while other times, you’ll need a mechanic. Sometimes, you can fix your car yourself. Apply the tips from this article and spend more time maintaining your vehicle to prevent issues.