A car can be a time and money sink if it is not taken care of properly. In addition to knowing some basic facts about your car, there are other things that can help you out. Continue reading for some great tips to save money and time.
Battery Charger
Have a battery charger in your car at all times. Dead batteries happen more often than you imagine, and you can help other people if you take a battery charger along in your vehicle. Be sure you know how to correctly connect the charger clamps to your battery and the battery you are charging.
Ensure your car has an emergency kit. Include a spare tire, a jack, a battery charger and a container full of gas. Also, flashlights, batteries and blankets are all crucial items as well.
Be aware of all of the costs prior to handing your keys over to the mechanic. If you need clarification, ask the service advisor for additional information before repairs commence. This will give you a good idea of what you will be paying.
It is very important to keep records of all your auto repairs. If your car has issues in the future, it is useful to be able to give your mechanic all such records. No records means a blank slate to go on.
Check online for reviews of local mechanics. You will get a great idea of how the shop operates this way. This will help you to weed out garages that could leave you with concerns over quality and workmanship.
Pay attention to any red flags involving your auto repair technician. If you have trouble getting a straight answer out of them, (or if, even worse, they refuse to answer questions to your satisfaction) they probably aren’t the kind of people you want to work with. Run, don’t walk, to another mechanic.
Ensure that your mechanic is familiar with your vehicle’s make. There can be a lot of differences between vehicles, even though the base components are similar. If you don’t know, make sure you go to the dealer and pay them the extra money.
Keep a spare tire and jack handy at all times. They are included with most new vehicles. You don’t want to end up stranded somewhere and get stuck paying a lot for a tow. It is much easier and inexpensive to do it yourself.
Repairs like burned out taillights or headlights can be fixed on your own. It’s easy in some vehicles, and it’s a lot cheaper than having someone else do it. If you know anyone who is comfortable with cars, ask if they can show you how it’s done.
Take all the fluffy and fun key chains off, or remove the car key. You don’t want to put all that extra weight on the car’s ignition. If you have a key that’s sticking, then you are going to have to replace your tumblers and then get rid of your fun keychains.
Learning about repairing your car just makes sense. Besides being able to teach others and rely on yourself when you have car trouble, you can save lots of money. Do not forget the advice here so you can fix your car yourself.