When you have the keys to your car, the world is your oyster. You now have the power to go where you please, when you please. The flip side is that you could also find yourself stranded in the middle of nowhere. These tips should help to prepare you for such a situation.

Don’t underestimate how important it is to have some kind of emergency kit within your vehicle. Be sure the kit has tools for charging the battery, adding gas to the tank, and changing tires. Blankets, matches, a flashlight, extra batteries, cans of food and some water help, too.

You don’t always need a mechanic when your car is having problems. Some jobs are simple and do not need to be taken to the auto shop. If you’re feeling lucky, look online to figure out the problem. When it’s a simple fix, do it yourself!

Once a repair shop has finished with your car, go on a quick spin to make sure things are working properly. If you do not do this, you may have the same issue when you get home.

Verify that a prospective mechanic is familiar with your specific car. Though there are lots of universal concepts, a large SUV requires different knowledge than a compact car does. If you don’t think the shop you are going to really knows what they are doing, take your car to the dealer instead.

You shouldn’t forget about your wiper blades. If you see that the wipers aren’t cleaning effectively, a new pair is in your future. Blades ought to be replaced annually or even more often than that in rainy regions.

Get rid of any unnecessary key-chains that are attached to your car keys. The ignition in your car can’t withstand too much extra weight, even if that weight doesn’t seem excessive to you. If you have a key that’s sticking, then you are going to have to replace your tumblers and then get rid of your fun keychains.

Think about snapping some photos of your car prior to taking it to the auto body shop. Most shops would not strip your car, but there are those who do this to make extra money. Because of this, it is advisable to get proof of what you vehicle looked like before it goes to the shop, just in case.

Don’t try and figure out what is wrong with your car by yourself. You are not the expert, and you must remember this. Problems can be more complicated than they initially appear. To be sure that the job is done right, have an auto repair shop diagnose the issue. Give them all the details on what occurred and what you heard, but leave the final diagnosis to them.

A warranty is one of the most important things you’ll need for car repairs. Ask the mechanic beforehand what the warranty will be for any part, but especially the expensive ones. Ask about the lentgh of time of the warranty and for a contract in writing to review it.

Transmission Fluid

There are no auto parts that will last the entirety of your life, and you shouldn’t buy any products that claim to do so. This is usually a ploy to get more money from you. Some cars may come with transmission fluid guaranteed for a “lifetime”. While the transmission fluid will last quite a while, it won’t last forever. It is best to change it at the 80,000 mile mark.

Have you read your car’s manual? You need to learn the manual so that you can find information right away. Your manual will tell you what needs to be known when it comes to keeping your vehicle maintained so you can do repairs if you have to.

Once you get a diagnosis from a mechanic, ask for a few hours before making a decision regarding getting your vehicle fixed. You can check with other mechanics, or do some research on the Internet to get a better idea of how much it should cost. If the price quoted is excessive, pay for the diagnosis and leave.

A dealer’s mechanic is an expensive option, but it is sometimes necessary to go through your dealership. The technicians at dealerships are trained to work on your particular model of car. They can figure out what’s wrong quickly. They also utilize regular auto repair training programs to keep their skills up to date.

Have your mechanic give you any original parts that are replaced. If he refuses, it may be because the part was never replaced. This should raise warning flags that should be confronted.

Have a number in mind when you take your car to the shop; tell the technician that if the repairs will cost more than that, you need to be notified. If you’re dropping the car off to get checked, don’t let them make the repairs without a limit. Inform them that they must contact you for approval before proceeding with any repairs over the stated dollar amount.

Work should never be done to a vehicle if you have a mechanic that’s having trouble figuring out what repairs will cost. If mistakes are made, you may not be able to recover the damages since you do not have a contract on the work he did.

Not all auto repairs will cost large sums of money. Quite often you can repair your car yourself. Apply the tips from this article to keep your vehicle in good shape.