It can be as hard to repair your vehicle as it is to get red wine removed from your carpet. Don’t become derailed and learn all that you can from the tips below. You’ll be surprised at how much you learn.
Get a reliable battery charger and be sure it is always in your car. The problem of a low or dead battery is very common, and if you keep a charger in your car you can assist other drivers with the problem. Be sure you know how to correctly connect the charger clamps to your battery and the battery you are charging.
In order to prevent rust to your car, wash it on a regular basis. All cars are going to rust, so make sure that you wash your vehicle at least once a month. A good wax is your best friend: a friend that will protect that shiny new paint job for a long time.
Know your auto manual very well, or at least dog ear important pages. Your mechanic will need the manual for certain information. Sometimes you may find things that you can easily fix yourself and do not require a trip to the dealership.
Every time your car is repaired, regardless of how minor the problem was, make sure you keep a record. If you have problems later, these records can come in handy. If you do not have documentation, you may have duplicate services performed.
Make sure you replace old parts with OEM parts. These are original manufacturer parts. Although using generic parts may provide some short-term savings, it’s impossible to know whether or not they’ll hold up as well as OEM parts. You may save in the short term, but additional failures could end up costing you big time.
Don’t leave valuables in your car while you’re having it repaired. Your mechanic may need these parts removed so that they can make repairs. If you discover missing items later, they hold no liability. Everything needs to be taken out of your trunk too.
Wiper Blades
Your wiper blades need TLC. If you notice your windshield wipers are not working properly, get new ones. Wiper blades should at least be changed yearly, and sometimes you need to do this more often.
Inquire about labor rates and overall cost before handing your keys to the mechanic. A lot of places will put rates in the fine print and so you need to read over any paperwork carefully. Know where the estimated prices come from. Some service shops have estimated times for repair, establish by the manufacturers. Repairs that seem minor may take all day long.
When you fill your car with gas, check tire pressure. Inspect your tires and look for embedded rocks or small objects. If you see something wrong, make sure to fix the problem immediately. Driving on the highway with corrupt tires can be very dangerous.
Spend sufficient time applying this advice whenever your car has an issue. Don’t allow a lack of information to cause you to go broke. Take charge of your auto issues, and you’ll make wise decisions going forward.