It’s not hard to learn about how to fix your car. Learning what you can about this will help you out later on. Read these tips and you may be able to do these repairs yourself rather than visiting a mechanic.
Ask a technician if they are A.S.E. certified before you agree to have them work on your vehicle. If they have this certification, it means they have passed a written test and have worked in the industry for at least 2 years. You will know that you are getting someone skilled by choosing someone with this.
If your vehicle seems to be leaking fluids, start by replacing the gaskets and seals. The most common area for leaks is where different parts join together. You may not need an expensive repair if the leak stems from one of these easily replaceable areas. If the leak continues after replacement, you may have a more extensive leak.
The Automotive Service Excellence logo is a sign that you have found a good mechanic. Mechanics have to successfully pass an exam and maintain an excellent record to receive this logo. Not all good mechanics get this certification but you should still try finding a mechanic who is ASE certified.
Your wiper blades need TLC. You may need new blades if they are streaking or making noises. Wiper blades should be replaced when they wear out, or at least once per year. This can be more often if your location receives a lot of rain.
Take your vehicle to a full service car wash a couple times a year for an extensive cleaning, inside and out. This removes most of the soil and helps preserve the interior of your car. This can pay off when you want to sell or trade your car in for a newer one.
You can easily fix scratches yourself. You will need to fill the scratch with a primer that corresponds to the colors of your car, apply some paint once the primer is dry and sand the entire area. Start with a fine sand paper and increase the grain progressively before waxing.
Replacing a charcoal canister is very expensive, but you can easily replace this part yourself. Take off the wheel located under your fuel tank and disconnect the vacuum lines connected to the old canister. The part should then come right off. Install the new one and connect the lines very carefully before installing the wheel again.
Pay attention to any fluids that pool under you car when parked. Small spots may not mean very much, but take note of what the fluid is. Plain water is usually just condensation that builds up on a car naturally. But bright green or orange fluid is the cooling system. Oily fluids are those like engine oil, or transmission fluid. These are warning signs.
If you take your car to an auto repair shop to get one thing fixed and they tell you that other repairs are needed, thank them for the information and decline the additional services. Go to several other places and get quotes before allowing them to do any more work on your car.
You do not need to purchase a new filter every time you go in to have an oil change. The auto repair person may show you a worn filter next to a new one and claim it is yours, but be firm and let them know that you do not need a new one right now.
Don’t let anyone tell you that getting an engine flushed is something that normally needs to be done during maintenance. This service is very expensive and it isn’t necessary unless you have neglected engine care for some time.
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. A lot of the time they just say this so that they’re able to make more off of you. For instance, certain cars have transmission fluid that is claimed to last a lifetime. It is true that this fluid lasts much longer than standard transmission fluid, but you will still need to change it out at around 80,000 miles.
Remember that where you live can have an impact on when you need to take your vehicle in for service. For example, if you only travel a short distance to work, your exhaust system may have issues as a result. If you live somewhere very hot, in contrast, you may need to look closely at your engine oil. A “one size fits all” service schedule doesn’t work for everyone.
The acronym OM means Original Equipment Manufacturer. When having replacement parts installed on your vehicle, you might want keep this information in mind. By communicating a preference for OEM parts, you appear knowledgeable and assertive. This will lower the chances of someone putting used auto parts on your car.
Keep good records of your car’s repair history and maintenance schedules. This often helps a mechanic diagnose problems more quickly. Without a good history of the car, the mechanic may waste time finding the problem. This can be expensive. In addition, when you keep good records, it tells the mechanic you take car maintenance seriously, and that you know what you are doing. They are less likely to “pad” your bill, since they know you are well informed.
Discuss what type of guarantee an auto repair shop offers. Make sure you have a piece of paper that states this guarantee, and be clear about what it excludes. You may need to go somewhere more expensive in order to get the warranty that you want, particularly if you are going to be spending a large some of money either way.
If you’re able to perform basic car repairs, then you don’t need to be scared every time you have car trouble. Learn how to fix a few things yourself so you do not have to go see a mechanic every time you encounter a minor problem. Keep these tips in mind the next time you are having issues with your vehicle.