When you need your car fixed, you usually need it done as soon as you can. That’s why it’s important for you to not only know what needs to be done, but how you will get it repaired. Whether you will do the repairs or plan to take it to a mechanic, here are some smart auto repair tips.

Do you have a hard time starting your car? Your battery probably needs to be recharged or replaced. You need to check the state of charge of your battery. You can use a hydrometer or a voltmeter depending on the type of battery you have. If you have been regularly recharging your battery, it might be time for a new one.

Be sure to read your owner’s manual to find out what kinds of fluids (oil, brake fluid, transmission fluid, steering fluid) your car needs and to learn how to check and top these off yourself. Keep a few bottles of each fluid in the trunk of your car in case of emergencies.

Know your auto manual very well, or at least dog ear important pages. This can help prevent a trip to the auto shop if you can fix the issue yourself. After reading the manual, you might just find that you have an easy fix on your hands.

Do an online search of reviews about your local automotive repair shop. This can inform you of how the general public views their customer service skills as well as how well they do when it comes to solving the problem. This can play a big part in the shop you eventually choose to do your car repair work.

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.

Replacing the bulbs on your taillights or headlights yourself can save you both time and money. Some vehicles make it easier to do, but it’s cheaper than getting a mechanic to do it. If you know anyone who is comfortable with cars, ask if they can show you how it’s done.

Know what the lights on the dashboard mean. These lights can let you know when something is wrong with your car. Ignoring those for a long time can worsen issues later.

You can fix small dents with a suction cup dent puller. This usually works for very small dents that can easily be covered with the suction cup. If the cup does not work, you will have to apply some filler into the dent, sand and paint until it becomes invisible.

Don’t be afraid of looking silly when you take your car into a shop. Ask plenty of questions. Make sure you know what is going on. You deserve to understand what is happening with your car, and a good technician will not mind your questions. The knowledge may come in handy in the future.

Be sure to keep the area where you are working on your car free of hazards. Keep your tools and spare parts picked up so that you and others will not trip over them. Be sure to work in an area with good ventilation so that you won’t be overcome by potentially toxic fumes. Have a bag of cat litter on hand to clean up spills quickly to avoid slipping.

Ask auto body shops that you are considering if they offer a warranty on their repairs. Any reputable shop is more than happy to guarantee their work on new parts for at least a few months. If any one that you talk to does not you should certainly find a different shop.

If you need to get your vehicle fixed, choose a garage or a dealership that hires certified technicians. The person who runs the place might have a certification but this does not mean that certified people will work on your car. Choosing certified technicians is a good way of making sure qualified people are fixing your car.

Learn the basics in your car repair manual. Even if you do not plan on doing the repair yourself, learning the basics about your car can help you pinpoint problems quickly. This can help you save money when taking it to a mechanic. You can tell the technician what you think the problem is, saving on labor costs diagnosing the problem.

If you need auto repairs, but your budget is very tight, look into getting your car repaired by a vocational school. They often look for cars that need repairs for their students to work on. This can be a very cost effective way of dealing with your auto problem.

If the repair quote gets into the hundreds, ask the mechanic to provide a written estimate. This can help you file a complaint if necessary. Mechanics aren’t as likely to charge you for unrequested repairs as well.

Keep the inside of your car clean. Although you may believe this isn’t important, it is. If the inside is really cluttered and dirty, then you could damage your car’s chassis. The chassis is a frame at the bottom of a car, and it supports numerous components. Therefore, you need to keep your car clean and regularly inspect your chassis to ensure no parts are rusted or loose.

If you are getting a part replaced by a mechanic, you should ask for the old part back as well. This will ensure that they did the work for you. Some parts, such as an exhaust system, it can easily be seen that the new part was installed. You should be able to tell if they have installed a brand new exhaust system.

With these tips, you should feel more comfortable about fixing your car. You should know have some ideas that can help you to get your automobile repaired quickly, so that you can go on with your life. Don’t wait until you have a problem with your car; keep this information on hand so you have somewhere to start.