Your car is important to you, and you need to take care of it. You may not know a lot about cars, but you might want to learn. If that’s what you want, read on to learn about simple maintenance.

Before allowing an auto shop to do repairs to your vehicle, ensure you are aware of the total cost. Ask any questions you have about the service before they start work on the car. You don’t want to be shocked by a huge bill to pay.

Do not make the mistake of having someone fix your vehicle just because the amount they charge is cheaper than everyone else. Many times the low prices make up for the lack in quality work. Doing research on the repair shop in question will help you decide if that is the case here.

Make sure to ask the mechanic who is about to work on your car whether or not he is certified. If the answer is no, leave right away and get someone else to do the repairs. If he says that he is, ask for some type of proof so you know this true.

Compare prices among your local auto body repair shops before you decide which on to choose. Even though labor charges are pretty uniform, the amount of time that each shop believes the repair could take could vary, as well as what they will charge you for the parts. Be sure to shop around so that you get the best deal possible.

Be responsible when performing DIY auto repairs. Just about every item you might replace or repair on a vehicle is environmentally unfriendly. Take care to dispose of liquids such as motor oil and coolant properly. Take used parts to your local junk yard or recycling center. Don’t toss plastic bottles about the landscape. If you are unsure of where you can dispose of these items, check with your local waste disposal agency or an automotive supply store.

While your car issues may seem minor, it never hurts to have them checked out by a professional. Many people ignore smaller issues, and they eventually lead to much larger issues.

There are some shady mechanics out there, and they will resort to extreme lows to get your money. If a mechanic tells you that your axle boot is torn, ask to see it. A legitimate tear will be jagged and greasy. If it is a straight cut, let them know that you know they did the damage and you will contact a lawyer if they don’t fix it for free.

If your car is new, contact the dealer who sold it to you if you find a serious safety concern. There may have been a recall on the car already, or one may be needed. Your manufacturer might even cover the repairs.

Probably the most important component of your vehicle is the brakes. Without them, you are not going to be able to drive. If they are damaged, this can be extremely dangerous for you. Therefore, whenever you experience brake problems, immediately see a mechanic to have them replaced. To do this yourself, you must use rubber boots to remove the bolts and loosen the brake pads. Then, install new brakes. However, if you are not comfortable doing this, it is best to see a mechanic. You do not want to take chances when it comes to brakes.

After you pay a mechanic and let them replace something on your vehicle, ask if you can get the old part back. If the mechanic does not give you your old part, then this is a good indicator that it actually wasn’t replaced. Ask your mechanic for an explanation if you notice this red flag.

If you want to know how to diagnose problems with your vehicle, then you should learn a few things about its critical components. If you know nothing about cars, think about taking a class. You might not want to take a class, but you’ll save yourself money going forward because of the new knowledge you will acquire. You’ll be able to notice issues before they develop into serious ones, and that will extend the life of your car.

Always ask for a detailed bill for the repairs done to your vehicle. Go over the bill with a mechanic and ask questions if you do not understand the kind of work that was done on the car. Ask how much time was spent on each item and make sure this adds up to what you were billed for labor.

Trust your gut when choosing a mechanic. The employees at the auto repair shop should look you in the eye, make you feel comfortable, answer any questions you have clearly and provide any pricing information you request. A shop that fails to meet these basic requirements probably does not have your best interest at heart.

You only want to buy the best gas possible for your vehicle, so ask at the pump if they filter your gas. Some stations don’t actually filter the gas at the pump and your car may be at a higher-risk for dirty gasoline. Poor gas is not a good thing for any car, new or old.

Properly preserve your vehicle if you know that you won’t be driving it for some extended period of time. This involves filling the gas tank to prevent unwanted condensation, waxing the body and windows, and disengaging the parking brake. This keeps all the different components in the best possible condition until you return to driving.

Some time needs to be spent figuring out how your car runs. If you understand how it works, you might not always need to pay for a mechanic to fix things. You can cut costs considerably by changing oil or fixing a flat tire yourself.

As you can now see, it’s important that you take care of your vehicle. Even knowing how to do simple maintenance may save you tons of money instead of going to a mechanic. Apply what you’ve just learned here, and you’ll be confident making repairs going forward.