Your car may be your most valuable possession, because you need it to travel to every place you go to. Do you want to learn more about caring for it? If that’s what you want, read on to learn about simple maintenance.
Mechanics should have ASE certification before you hire them. This kind of certification tells you that whoever will be working on your car has a couple years of experience and has passed a test. That way, you can have the best mechanics working on your car.
Get a good battery charger to keep in your vehicle. Dead batteries are a common occurrence and you’d be able to aid other drivers who have broken down. Learn how to find connection points so that you can use the charger with ease.
Always carry a good emergency kit in the trunk of your car. A battery charger, tire changing tools and an extra can of gas are just a few of the items to have on hand. Also, add a flashlight, some batteries, and some blankets in case there is a nighttime breakdown.
Know what your costs will be before handing your keys over to the mechanic. Have your mechanic or service adviser clarify all the details before agreeing to getting your vehicle fixed. You want to avoid being surprised with additional charges once the car is fixed.
Referrals will lead you to a great mechanic. Talk to anyone you know and get recommendations from them. You can learn about the quality of work, the pricing and if they were satisfied with the service. These people will be able to inform you of their experience with the mechanic.
A record of maintenance and repairs should be in your car. One good place to keep them is in a folder in the trunk right above your spare tire. The mechanics who work on your car will need to see your maintenance records before working on your car. The records can help them figure out the problem.
Keep a record of all the repairs you make on your vehicle. If you have problems later, these records can come in handy. Your car problems may be harder to find and you may have higher repair costs without the records.
Look for the warning signs that your mechanic is not as competent as you might hope. If they avoid your questions, you may want to look elsewhere. Make sure that you trust the person that you are working with.
Make sure your mechanic knows how to work on your make of vehicle. Different cars require different skill sets. If you’re not sure, it may be worth it to pay extra at the dealer.
Put together an auto repair kit and keep it in your trunk. You will want to have the tools necessary to change a tire, and they likely came with the vehicle. Be sure to purchase a lug wrench and a car jack if you haven’t got one. Then have a screwdriver kit, socket wrench kit, ratchet set, torque wrench and adjustable wrench, too. Do not waste money by getting cheap tools. Invest in quality tools that will not break as you perform repairs on your vehicle.
Your car key should not have tons of fluffy keychains on it. The ignition cannot hold the weight of a big key chain. If your keys starts sticking, you need the tumblers replaced.
A car that runs well is crucial to your own functioning. Learning simple maintenance techniques will help you save money. Use the tips here and keep them in mind when your car acts strangely or you are worried about a minor problem with your car.
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