Friday, 20 September 2013

Auto Repair Tips To Get Your Vehicle Up And Running

By Phillip Mason


Having a car gives you a great sense of freedom. You are free to move about the country as you please. However, it also includes certain responsibilities such as performing preventative maintenance on your vehicle and paying for repairs. Apply the information that follows and get your car back in good shape.

Do not underestimate the importance of having an emergency kit in your car. You need to have tools in your kit that will allow you to change the battery, help you get some extra gas and tire changing tools as well. Do not forget blankets and a good flashlight with some batteries.

Regularly check your radiator. Run your car, turn it off then pop the hood. Never open the radiator on a running car. Use a dipstick to gauge how much radiator fluid you have, keeping in mind that most types need to be diluted with water.

Before making your payment to the mechanic when picking up your car, take it out for a spin first to check that everything is working. Many people don't do this, and the car ends up with the same issues that were supposed to be repaired.

If possible, test drive your car prior to paying for repairs. A lot of people forget to test drive their vehicle and pay for repairs on turbo for sale that did not really fix their problem.

Be careful of mechanics who will do unnecessary work on your vehicle. Good mechanics will inform you of parts wearing down that need replaced soon, but they won't replace them without getting your approval first. Avoid mechanics that have previously done work without your go ahead.

Make sure your mechanic knows how to work on your make of vehicle. Basic components are usually the same, but there are big differences in different types of cars. If you are unsure, pay the extra to have a dealer do the repairs.

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. You need to trust a mechanic, and if you do not feel that trust, find another one.

Keep a tool kit for doing auto repairs in your trunk. Make sure you have something to change a tire. A car jack and a lug wrench are essential tools to have. You will need several screwdrivers, ratchets, socket wrenches, an adjustable wrench and a torque wrench. Avoid purchasing cheap tools. Buy quality, reliable tools that are not going to break.

Do not let a mechanic work on your car before knowing about their prices and how much they charge for labor. Some repair shops have details about their rates posted on the walls, but you should not hesitate to ask about rates if you do not see any information. You must be able to tell how the repairs are being billed to you. Some service shops have estimated times for repair, establish by the manufacturers. Minor repairs can be considered jobs that require a full day of work to some manufacturers.

You should know things about the inner workings of a vehicle before taking your car to the mechanic. There are refurbished parts, reconditioned parts, and salvage parts. New parts are newly created to the specifications of the manufacturer. Re-manufactured, rebuilt and reconditioned happen to be parts that have been restored to a decent working condition. Salvage parts are parts that have been used and haven't been altered.

Inquire about labor rates and overall cost before handing your keys to the mechanic. Many shops display a list of their rates, so make sure you understand everything involved in their billing practices. This will give you a better idea of what you will be billed. Shops also often give you estimated repair costs and times. A lot of repairs that seem to be easy to fix could end up taking a whole day in some cases.

Car repairs can be overwhelming. It also can be expensive. By learning all that you can do to make sure you're prepared for your vehicle to break down then you'll be able to make sure your vehicle is up and running in no time. This will also allow you to save money.




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