Like most folks, you may not know much about car repairs. You need to do everything you can to educate yourself, so the next time your car has issues you can fix them. The article below has auto repair tips and tricks you need to know.

Be sure your mechanic has an A.S.E. certification prior to letting them fix your car. This kind of certification tells you that whoever will be working on your car has a couple years of experience and has passed a test. This will ensure that you have the cream of the crop working on your vehicle.

Battery Charger

Invest in a quality battery charger and always keep it in your car. Dead batteries are common, and a good battery charger will come in handy more than once. Learn how to connect your car to the batter charger.

It is important for your car to have an emergency kit. This kit should have the tools to change your tires in the case of an accident. Blankets may be added, some batteries and a flashlight for if you have a trouble with your car at night.

Do not be afraid to ask lots of questions whenever you take your vehicle to the auto shop. What will they do to fix it? What is the problem? Prevention is a great way to save lots of money.

Each time you get your vehicle repaired, no matter what the reason, be sure you have a record of it. If you have problems later, it may help the mechanic to see these notes. Your car problems may be harder to find and you may have higher repair costs without the records.

Use the Internet to find reviews on an auto repair shop. This will give you an idea of how the public likes their customer service, and how well they are at fixing problems. Use this information to choose a shop that you’re comfortable with giving money to.

Make sure you replace old parts with OEM parts. These parts are original and from the manufacturer. Generic are cheaper, but also less reliable. What may seem like a deal now can cost twice as much as buying OEM in the first place.

Assemble repair tools and keep them in your car, so you are prepared at all times. You need to include a complete tire changing kit. You need to purchase a lug wrench and a jack if you do not have them. You need both types of screw drivers, a ratchet set, torque wrench, and socket wrenches. Don’t buy low-quality tools. Get sturdy, quality tools that will not break on you.

If you have something major that needs to be done by someone at a shop, you have to be sure you get more than just a single price. While you can usually trust an auto repair shop, you don’t want to be paying too much money for the repairs needed. Find a shop that specializes in your particular make of car. Shops like this may understand your car’s needs better.

A burned out headlight or taillight is a common repair. This can usually be done yourself. It is easier on some vehicles than others, however no matter what type of vehicle you have it will be cheaper than hiring a mechanic for the job. Ask your friends and relatives if they can help with this small repair.

Avoid fluffy, silly keychains, or find a way to separate your auto key from that bunch of keys on the chain! The ignition can’t support too much weight. The last thing that you want is your key to stick, so try to reduce weight immediately.

A dealer isn’t your only option for auto repair. You should be able to find reliable mechanics in your area, either by going to a repair shop or an independent garage. If you feel a good comfort level with someone, you should hire them.

Do not hire a mechanic who is not certified. Keep an eye out for an approval from the automotive institutes. It says the mechanic knows his stuff.

Test Drive

After working on your brakes and prior to a test drive, bleed the brakes. Once done, give the brake fluid a pump. You are trying to find leaks in your device to make sure there are no problems. Once you are finished with this, you are ready to rock-and-roll on the road and take that baby for a test drive on a street that has minimal traffic. Start your drive out at a slow pace and once everything is certain to be in working order, kick the speed up a notch or two.

Hopefully, auto repair makes more sense to you now. Therefore, anytime you experience car problems, you should be able to fix them or be able to find a professional who can do this for you. You want a car that can run properly.