Auto Repair Advice Every Person Should Know

Wondering what to do when your car breaks down is a common theme for many. Repairs can be rather costly, and wrong moves can cost you even more. So, how are you going to handle your next repair? Would you rather not think about it? Instead, why don't you learn something new and be able to handle everything correctly the next time around.

Make sure the oil in your vehicle is changed about every 3,000 miles. Waiting longer for an oil change can result in dirt and debris fouling your oil and that can damage your engine. If you use synthetic oil in your vehicle, you only need to change the filter every other oil change.

You must wash your car to keep the rust away. All cars eventually succumb to rust, however you can delay this process by washing all salt and chemicals from your car immediately. Make sure you regularly wax your car so that you protect the paint.

If your car door and hatch locks tend to become stiff, avoid breaking your key off in the lock by lubricating them periodically with a penetrating oil spray. You can use the plastic extender that comes with the spray can to deliver oil to the interior of the locking mechanism. If you have misplaced this extender, just spray your key liberally and turn it in the stiff lock several times.

Keep your car's owner manual handy. Knowing vital car information can really help when something unexpected occurs. If you know your car's controls, you may even avoid a trip to a mechanic. If you do need a mechanic, you should have the make, model, and trim level available so that they can figure out things like your transmission configuration, size, etc. much quicker.

Don't get stuck with a mechanic who will make repairs on your vehicle that are not necessary. A mechanic that's good will tell you whether or not a pert is beginning to wear out, but they're not going to replace things without your permission first. If a mechanic did an unnecessary repair on your car, don't take it there again.

It is a good idea to add an injector cleaner to the fuel you put into your gas tank regularly. You will get better gas mileage if the fuel injectors in your cars engine are kept clean. Adding enough cleaner to treat a full tank once a month is usually enough to improve your mileage a little.

Before you decide on an auto shop, ask your friends to talk about their car repair experiences. Your loved ones might have some good recommendations for you to check out. Still do your homework on whoever they mention. At least look for online reviews of those recommendations.

Avoid attaching your car keys to a heavy key chain or detach your keys every time you drive. Ignitions are not meant to hold so much weight. If the key starts to stick, its time to replace the tumblers and say goodbye to your troll buddy!

Rotate your car tires every 6,000 miles or at every other oil change. Rotating your tires on a set schedule helps ensure that they wear evenly, and thus last longer. Your car will also be easier to drive, as unbalanced tires can lead to the car pulling to one side or the other.

Understand the billing process at the auto repair shop you go to. In many cases, you could get a bill for labor based on how long the manufacturer thinks it will take to repair your car. Be clear about how it works at whatever shop you take your car to.

Have you read over your owner's manual? The truth is that very few car owners actually do this. You need to look through this manual and know what you need to do if a problem comes about. Included in the owner's manual is important information on things such as car maintenance or how to properly change your car's tires.

Keep detailed records of all the repairs you did on your vehicle and ask the previous owners if they can provide you with their records. If you need to have a mechanic diagnose a problem, show them your records. Your mechanic will recognize recurring issues and know not to waste time on parts that have been replaced recently.

Find out how often you should perform a tune up on your vehicle. You should find this information in your owner's manual. You have probably heard that you need to tune up your vehicle every 100,000 miles but this really depends on the make an model of the vehicle you have.

Take the reins, and make sure you can usher in the best decision regarding your vehicle next time a problem occurs. Or, you can settle for the land of the lost if you are not certain on what to do next. Surely, if you read the article, you see the light.