Your car is a huge investment you should take good care of it.You might not know as much about cars to feel comfortable servicing small repairs.This article is the basics of simple auto-maintenance.

Make sure that you do not neglect the radiator. Run your car, turn off the engine and then open the hood. You should never want to open up the radiator if your car that is running. Check radiator fluid by using a dipstick and remember to always mix the coolant with water prior to adding it.

Referrals are one of the best ways to find a trustworthy mechanic. Ask around for their recommendations. You can find out about the quality of service and value that way. People can tell you what kind of things they had and whether the mechanic was honest.

Make sure that your mechanic is A.S.E certified before you let them work on your car. This certification confirms the the mechanic has a lot of experience working on cars. This tells you that the mechanic is qualified to work on your car.

Go through your owner’s manual and dog ear the most useful pages. You could even find the manual and fix the issue.

Test out your car before paying the auto repair shop.

If your headlights look dimmer than they used to, check to make sure they are clean. Clean your car’s headlights and taillights with a good quality glass cleaning agent to get them as clean as possible.

Get a good battery charger to keep in your vehicle. Dead batteries are a very common problem for all car owners. Not only will you be able to charge up your battery, you can also help others whose battery has broken down. Learn to locate the points where you should connect the battery charger on your car.

The weight of a big key chain. If you have a key that’s sticking, install new tumblers and use a lighter key chain.

Look at all lights on your dashboard and learn what they mean. These lights can let you a good indication of when your car. Ignoring them for extended periods of time will not make the problem much worse than it already is.

Doing repairs yourself can also be rather risky. Always have someone close at hand to help you just in case of an emergency. Buy only the highest quality tools that are durable and not break under pressure. This is very true particularly in the case of the tools needed for changing tools. The jack needs to be reliable so you are safe when you go under the car secure above you. That’s why sometimes it’s best to get a good hydraulic floor jack with approved jack stands.

When you take your car to the shop, ask plenty of questions about your vehicle. What will they do to fix it? What is the problem? Learning how to prevent certain issues will help you save a lot of money.

Take pictures of your car before taking it to the shop to get repaired. Some unethical shops may strip parts off your vehicle and resell the newer parts. You should document what the original damages done to your vehicle looks like in case your mechanic fails to fix them or makes things worse.

There are a few different classifications that determine the quality of parts. New parts just mean that they are newly created to the specifications of the manufacturer. Refurbished parts ate those that have been repaired. “Salvage” means that the parts are used and hasn’t been fixed.

If your car has been having a small problem that you think is minor, it is smart to get it checked right away. A seemingly small problem may grow into a big one if don’t pay attention to it.

It is important that you fully understand what all the charges will be upfront, before handing the mechanic your car keys. If you don’t understand something, clarify your concerns with the mechanic or service adviser before they work on the car. You don’t want to be hit with unexpected charges after the repairs are done.

You should always care for your car. Learning even the simplest routine maintenance can help save you a bunch of money. Use what you have learned here the next time you find your car behaving strangely.

Learning more concerning car can benefit you immensely. This information will help you hit the ground running when it comes to car. Keep finding out more about car in order to maintain a sharp edge.