When a car breaks down, the owner sometimes is petrified of having to repair it. Knowledge is the key to getting quality work done on your car. Review the information below and you will be better prepared to find a way to get your car on the road.

Be sure your mechanic has an A.S.E. certification prior to letting them fix your car. This certification lets you know that your mechanic has at least 2 years of experience and has passed a test. This will ensure that you have the cream of the crop working on your vehicle.

Keeping a battery charger in your car is a good safety investment. Dead batteries are common, and a good battery charger will come in handy more than once. Make sure you learn the points on your car where the battery charger should be connected.

When taking your vehicle to a shop, ask any questions you may have about it. Your questions should focus on issues that your vehicle has, as well as what you can do in the future to prevent them from occurring again. An ounce of prevention can save you a lot of money over time.

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, talk to the mechanic first. You want to avoid being surprised with additional charges once the car is fixed.

In order to prevent rust to your car, wash it on a regular basis. Eventually cars rust, but it can be delayed by washing off chemicals and salt as soon as you can. A good wax can help you keep your paint job protected well.

Keep your car records on hand. Keeping them in the glove compartment is smart. Professional mechanics are going to ask for those records. They can diagnose issues quicker.

Remember that getting OEM parts is important. OEM parts means that part was produced by the manufacturer specifically for your make and model of vehicle. Generic parts might be cheaper, but they may not be good enough quality. A cheap, generic part is less of a bargain if it only lasts half as long as an OEM part would.

Put together a small tool kit for your car and keep it in your trunk. For instance, if anything dealing with tire changes came with the car, have this in your car. Be sure to purchase a lug wrench and a car jack if you haven’t got one. You should probably get a few screwdrivers with various shapes as well as different wrenches like for this kit. Don’t get cheap tools. Buy quality ones that you are sure won’t fail when you really need them.

If you need major repair work done, make sure to solicit multiple price quotes. Most shops are honest, but some are not. Search for trustworthy shops that are experienced in repairing your car’s make. You’ll get a better repair on your car because these shops will know exactly what your car needs.

Before you settle on a car repair business, talk to friends and family for recommendations. Personal recommendations are usually honest and forthright. Even after getting a few names, though, do your research. Check online reviews at the very least.

Figure out what repairs and labor are going to cost you before handing your keys over. Some repair shops display their rates, so read them carefully and be sure to ask about anything you don’t fully understand. You will need to know what to expect on the final bill. Some stores are able to give you an estimate for how long they’ll keep your car. Some “Minor” repairs could take all day if they go by those manufacturers’ established times.

Memorize each light and symbol on your dash instrument panel. When one lights up, it helps to understand what you’re dealing with. They are intended to give you a warning when you need it. Do not ignore them, as this can put your safety in danger.

Keep washing your vehicle, even in winter. Although it may seem like a waste of time, winter weather can really damage your vehicle. Rust and abrasion can occur from the particles flying around in the air. Dry the car right after washing, and make sure you do it thoroughly.

You should always look for a warranty when you’re working on a car problem and need a part that costs quite a bit. When the mechanic orders the parts, ask him about their warranty. Have a version of this warranty printed up so you can keep it with your records.

If you are short on funds and need repairs done on your car, consider taking your vehicle to a vocational school. You can pay much less for service since students are still learning how to repair cars.

It costs a lot to use the mechanics at the car’s dealer, but can often be the best choice. You can rest assured that the technician working on your car is a specialist who know their way around your model. They can figure out what’s wrong quickly. These mechanics regularly receive additional training.

After paying to replace old parts, make sure the mechanic gives you the old ones that were removed. If the mechanic does not give you your old part, then this is a good indicator that it actually wasn’t replaced. You should be suspicious if this happens.

Understanding more about your car is key to figuring out what to do when issues arise. If you are uneducated on car, you may want to enroll in a class about auto repair. You may be reluctant to pay for such as class, but you’ll be glad you did when you save money on auto repairs. That is why you must learn to figure out issues before they become major ones and help the car last longer.

It can be annoying and inconvenient when your car is having issues. But, if you have some basic understanding of auto repair, you do not have to worry. Using the above advice, you’ll have the resources for any problems that come up.