Learn The Tricks Your Mechanic Won't Tell You
Don't you want better insight as to what you can do when facing auto repairs. If you ask around, no one seems to have command of themselves entirely in this field. Therefore, it's important that you learn as much as you can. Continue reading to find out some great things to consider next time.
Familiarize yourself with the dashboard of your car. Your dashboard should display five different kinds of warning, including the check engine light, oil pressure warning, an alternator warning, a temperature warning and a brake warning. Learn to recognize these different lights so you can easily identify what needs your attention.
Always ask lots of questions when you take your car to get repaired. Don't let the mechanic intimidate you. Ask why something needs to be fixed or how it will be done. If the mechanic tries to brush you off, doesn't look at you, or refuses to answer your questions, consider taking your car to someone else.
Do not assume you have been ripped-off by your mechanic because of the high price of your bill. Some parts are very expensive to replace, including engines, transmission systems or dashboard computers. You should ask your mechanic about the cost of the parts he had to put in your car.
Understand the repair costs prior to leaving your car with any shop. Labor costs especially can run at different levels from shop to shop, especially if a specialist is involved. You'll want to know what you are getting into prior to learning about it the hard way days later.
Be open to asking any questions that cross your mind. Auto repair is a very complex thing. You will have questions, and don't feel intimidated about asking them. If you don't, you may not completely understand why the repairs were needed in the first place or how costly the current situation really is.
Do not hover over the technician while they are trying to do work on your car. It is important that you spend time with them to explain what the problem is with your vehicle, but once you have done that, leave them alone so they can do their job without any interruptions.
Learn how to be preventative in terms of auto repair. You can do things that will help curb any future issues from happening! A big one is to follow the recommended tune-up schedule for your vehicle. As each car is different, you'll want to look up in your manual what schedule is best for you.
Replacing a charcoal canister is very expensive, but you can easily replace this part yourself. Take off the wheel located under your fuel tank and disconnect the vacuum lines connected to the old canister. The part should then come right off. Install the new one and connect the lines very carefully before installing the wheel again.
Never leave valuables in your vehicle when you bring it to be repaired. It is true that most shops have very trust worthy employees, but not all do, and you do not want to be a victim of theft. Instead, protect yourself by cleaning your vehicle and removing anything that is not attached to the car.
Keep your auto repair shops business card in your car at all times. You never know when something could go wrong with your vehicle. You'll want your favorite auto shop's phone number handy, though, when it does. Another option is to program all of their contact information in your phone.
If your car overheats on the highway, move to the side and turn off your engine as soon as you can. Don't try checking on any liquids as they can burn you if you aren't sure what you are doing. Rather, call a tow truck immediately to get you to your auto repair shop.
Don't ignore a "Check Engine" light. Many people think it's ok since they continue to run their car with no obvious issues. But a check engine light would have never appeared unless some internal check failed. It's best to get it looked into immediately, or you run the risk of a larger problem down the road.
If your key "sticks" when you put it in the ignition, you will most likely need a new ignition switch as soon as possible. Having your key stick usually indicates that the switch is failing. If that switch is not fixed in a timely fashion, you could get stranded somewhere.
Pay attention to your check engine light! If one of your warning lights is illuminated, take that as a warning! Don't neglect it! The warning lights on your dashboard are designed to give you early notification of potential problems. By taking your car to an auto repair shop as soon as one of these lights is lit, you can nip the problem in the bud!
Now you can make a much better decision regarding repairs for your vehicle next time the need arises. You can learn more about car repair as you continue along. Always keep the ideas and strategies in mind that you've read here so that you can handle each situation to the best of your ability.