Prolong The Life Of Your Car Through Auto Repair

Wear and tear on your car can quickly become an expensive disaster if you aren't sure how to do simple maintenance. In the case that you have to fix something, doing it yourself can save money. Read this tips in this article so you can learn simple and useful auto repair.
If any parts of your car need to be replaced, make sure you ask for the (OEM) Original Equipment Manufacturer parts instead of generic parts. Keeping the exact specifications required by the manufacturer is essential in having optimum performance. Although generic parts are cheaper, spending a little more on OEM parts will make a big impact on your car's longevity.
Always ask about the certification and the insurance of a mechanic before letting them fix your car. If something goes wrong, the mechanic's insurance will cover damages and usually provides you with a car you can drive until yours is fixed. A mechanic who is not certified does not have an insurance either.
You should always keep a jack and a spare tire with you at all times. Many new cars have these. They are extremely helpful if your car experiences a problem while you are out on the road and you don't want to call a tow truck. You do the job yourself with less time and expense.
If you are having extensive repairs done, make sure that you get several estimates. Even though mechanics are trustworthy in general, you could still wind up paying for more than you should. Search for an auto repair shop that specializes in repairing the make of vehicle you have. These shops are the best ones to use.
Always keep some tail light tape around. You could get pulled over and get a ticket for a broken tail light. You should remove the light from your vehicle, replace the light-bulb if you need to and wrap the whole light in tape. This is a temporary fix but it is better than driving with a broken light.
Talk to your mechanic about the rates that you will have to pay. Some shops have these costs in conspicuous places, so you need to carefully read and ask any questions you have if something doesn't make sense. Since it's your car, you have to know the cost of repairs. Are the repair times established? A lot of repairs that seem to be easy to fix could end up taking a whole day in some cases.
You should know and pay attention to your dashboard's warning lights. They are located there to assist you, so use them to your advantage. If you keep ignoring them it'll make the problem worse.
Have a repair shop in mind before you run into trouble. If you wait until an emergency, you may end up going with a shady mechanic who is convenient because you are desperate. Ask friends for a mechanic with a good reputation. Then when you run into repair problems, you can trust you won't be ripped off.
As stated in the beginning of this article, it can quickly add up if you keep having to take your car into the shop. Learning some simple tricks for maintenance will save you a headache later. Remember these tips so you can use auto repair to the best of your ability.