Have you thought about learning how to fix your car yourself? The first couple times will be intimidating, but you would be surprised what you can handle yourself. By doing minor repairs yourself, you can save money and extend your car's life. Read the following tips to see how you can do-it-yourself and enjoy repairing your own vehicle.
Check out reviews about body shops online. This can give you a good idea about how the public feels and what experience you might have yourself. This information can be used to locate an auto repair shop that you feel is well suited to your needs.
Be wary of mechanics that try and make unnecessary repairs to your car. Work should never be performed without your permission, but a good mechanic may point out upcoming repairs that are necessary. If a mechanic did an unnecessary repair on your car, don't take it there again.
Ask your mechanic to use OEM parts. These parts come from the manufacturer of your car. While they often cost a little more, they typically work better for longer periods of time. They may initially be a deal, but the generic parts may make you pay more in the long run.
Your car key should not have tons of fluffy keychains on it. The ignition cannot hold the weight of a big key chain. If the key starts to stick, its time to replace the tumblers and say goodbye to your troll buddy!
Pay attention to all of the lights that flash in the dashboard, and make sure that you understand what each of them mean. These lights give you a good indication of when your vehicle needs some maintenance. If you simply overlook them for months on end, there is a chance your vehicle might sustain irreparable damage.
Wash your car all winter long. Your car may get dirty again quickly, but all that buildup is terrible for your car. All that salt and sand is a sure recipe for abrasion and rust. Your car should be dried thoroughly before getting back on the road again.
Take pictures of your entire vehicle before taking it to the shop to get repaired. Most shops would not strip your car, but there are those who do this to make extra money. This can give you proper documentation in the case of an accident.
Learn all you can about your car and its parts. There are new parts, refurbished parts, and salvaged parts. New parts are the ones that you want to have installed on your vehicles. "Refurbished", "rebuilt", etc. mean that the part is like new, and potentially even better than new, as it has been renovated and tested repeatedly. If a used part is designated as "salvage," it has not been reconditioned.
Warranties are extremely important when you take your car to get repaired, especially if you get expensive parts. Ask the mechanic about your warranty in regards to parts they're ordering for your car. Ask about the lentgh of time of the warranty and for a contract in writing to review it.
Make sure that you do not get pressured into extra repairs by body shops. This is a quick way for them to make a profit and take advantage of you. Mark your tires before you drop your car off. When you pick up the vehicle, make sure that the chalk is still present, otherwise you have been scammed.
Don't be scared of doing DIY auto repairs. While it may be confusing at first, once you learn more about it, it isn't hard at all. Keep the information here in mind and refer back to it if needed. Fixing your car is possible if you use these tips.
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