Getting your car fixed may be expensive. Labor and parts aren’t cheap. Would you like to be able to do some basic repairs yourself? The hints below can help.
When taking your vehicle to a shop, ask any questions you may have about it. Be sure the questions involve the problems you are having with your car and what you can do to prevent it from happening again. You can save a lot of money when you know how to prevent problems.
To keep rust from becoming an issue, wash and wax your car regularly. Cars are all destined to rust, but the process can be slowed by keeping salt and chemicals away from the paint whenever you can. Use a decent wax for protecting paint jobs as much as you can.
Keep a record of every car repair. If your car has issues in the future, it is useful to be able to give your mechanic all such records. If you lack such records, you may end up paying more money for diagnostic work.
Get OEM components. These parts are directly from the manufacturer of your vehicle. Generic may be cheaper, but you don’t know the quality of these parts as time goes on. What is a cheap option now could be an expensive option later.
Check to see that your technician knows what he is doing. Someone who gives vague answers to direct questions, or ignores them altogether, may not have the necessary knowledge to give you quality service. Make sure that you trust the person that you are working with.
Always get a second opinion, a reputable mechanic will not be offended because he knows his diagnosis will be confirmed. The shop you’ve gone to may be trying to rip you off. Seek out good shops that that are reputable and familiar with your type of vehicle. Shops like this may understand your car’s needs better.
You may want to get your car repaired by a person who does work out of their own garage. As long as they have experience they can do the same work but they often charge far less for the labor. This can help the home mechanic out and save you a lot of money over the charges of bigger repair shops.
Inquire about labor rates and overall cost before handing your keys to the mechanic. Make sure you’re asking questions if you’re not sure about the shop’s rates. Make sure that you know exactly how you are going to be billed. Some service shops have estimated times for repair, establish by the manufacturers. Even a minor job might take all day.
Just because the days are colder doesn’t mean you should avoid washing your vehicle. Winter can ruin the quality of your car with constant precipitation. Rust and abrasion can occur from the particles flying around in the air. Dry your car as often as you can during the winter to maintain quality.
Always keep in mind that attempting auto repair on your own has its share of hazards. Work with someone nearby if you do plan to work on your car. Put your money towards purchasing good tools that will last. Nowhere is this more applicable than with the items you use to change a tire. The jack you buy needs to support your vehicle well. Therefore a quality hydraulic floor jack combined with sturdy jack stands will keep you safe.
There are a few shady automotive repair shops who will replace your existing tires with old ones. Do not let the auto shop you go to trick you. Put chalk marks on the tires prior to bringing the car in. If you find the chalk is missing later on, question the shop about what happened.
To feel safe on the road when your car breaks down, look into signing up for AAA. This is a great service to have when you are stranded and need help. You’ll often find that AAA has great discounts that reduce any out of pocket costs.
Ask your mechanic if he can wait a few hours for you to think about getting your car fixed after getting a diagnosis and a quote. Speak with other dealerships to get different estimates on the job. If a cheaper price is available elsewhere, you can pay for whatever the diagnostics cost and see about getting it fixed at the other place.
Ask questions of your mechanic. Don’t make your questions just about price, but everything related to your repairs. When will the repairs be done? What work will be done? How much will it cost you? Ask any other questions you have. This will show them that you know what you’re taking about and can also help you to know what to get done if this happens again to you.
At one time or another, all cars require repairs. This does not mean you always need to hire a mechanic to get the work done. It is possible to save your money and make repairs yourself. The following tips can help.
