Automobile repairs are an inevitability. They can be extremely difficult to deal with. By taking the time to educate yourself on proper auto maintenance you can learn to perform your own minor car repairs and save a good chunk of money. This article is loaded with useful automotive repair tips and advice.
Check the fluids in your car regularly. Check the oil level with the dipstick you can find under your hood. The dipstick should have a mark on it to indicate the ideal oil level. Add a quart of oil if you need to and check the level again after letting your car run for a few minutes.
Communicate with your mechanic as much as possible. Explain the issues you have been encountering with your car and do not hesitate to ask questions to your mechanic if you do not fully understand the repairs that are needed. Ask about prices and do not let your mechanic fix your car until you fully understand charges.
Take action if you believe a garage or dealership ripped you off. Notify one of the manager and give them a chance to issue a refund. If you are still not satisfied, contact your local Better Business Bureau to file a complaint. Your city or state consumer affair office is also a good resource.
Try to find out whats wrong with your vehicle before calling a mechanic. This will save you a great deal of money and protect you against fraud. Unreliable mechanics might lie about the issue so they can charge you for additional repairs.
Auto Parts
Save some money by using your local auto parts store's diagnostic equiptment. Many are more than happy to let their customers use it because you may then purchase parts at their store. You benefit because you may have a small problem you can fix or you can just tell your mechanic what you want done.
Never buy from a mechanic who promises that parts will last over the full lifetime of a vehicle. A lot of the time they just say this so that they're able to make more off of you. A good example of this is transmission fluid that has a "lifetime guarantee". While this won't have to be changed often, you will still have to change the fluid every 80,000 miles.
Car Parts
Find out a little about the car parts you need before you go to a mechanic. Learn the difference between rebuilt parts, salvage parts, and new parts. "New" means the part was made to the manufacturer's specs, by the maker or by an independent retailer. Rebuilt and reconditioned and re-manufacturered parts have been restored to working condition. Parts that are salvaged are used; therefore, they cannot be altered.
As mentioned in the opening paragraph of this article, automobile repairs are an annoying inevitability. At some point or another you will need to deal with car problems. By using the tips and advice contained in this article you can fix minor car problems yourself and avoid overspending on costly service fees.
