Don’t feel helpless when dealing with your car’s need for repairs. A car is a big investment and keeping it running smoothly is important. A poorly maintained car can be expensive. Keep reading to learn more about what you can do next time you’re dealing with auto repair.

Make sure that you do not neglect the radiator in your car. Warm up your car a little, shut if back off and pop the hood. You should never open your radiator whenever your car is turned on. Check your radiator fluid and remember to mix water with coolant before filling your radiator.

Before you hand over your car to the shop, be sure you are clear about the repair costs. If you aren’t sure about anything, ask for clarification. You surely do not want unpleasant surprises when you go to get the car.

Referrals are your best best when searching for a trustworthy mechanic. Look to your family, friends, and colleagues for their suggestions. Ask about how much they paid, the quality of the repairs and the customer service. They can let you know if they had a good experience and whether or not the mechanic was trustworthy and honest.

Test your car out after a repair has been done by a mechanic. Make sure it is operating correctly before full payment is made. If you don’t, you may find that you paid for nothing.

Always think of how to fix your car’s problems yourself before trying to get it repaired. When you self-diagnose, you avoid fraud and save money. An unscrupulous mechanic may exaggerate the problem or diagnose nonexistent ones to charge you more.

When you need a major repair done, get numerous estimates. Although most repair shops can be trusted, you do not want to have to spend some more unnecessary repairs. If possible, find a mechanic who is specialized in the make and model you have or in the kind of problems you are encountering. These shops are better equipped to handle your car repairs.

Repairs like burned out taillights or headlights can be fixed on your own. This process is easier in specific vehicles and harder in others; however, doing this yourself is much more affordable than visiting a mechanic. If you are not confident, ask a friend or family member if they can help you.

Do your friends or family have any recommendations for good repairers? The search process can be improved with recommendations from friend and loved ones. But make sure that you still do your research on anyone they mention. Use the web as a resource to find information about car repair shops.

Your car key should not have tons of fluffy keychains on it. The weight of your keychain can cause problems for your ignition. If you notice the key sticking, then you must get rid of all the extra stuff attached to your keys.

Don’t try and figure out what is wrong with your car by yourself. You are not the expert, and you must remember this. What you may see as a simple fix can really be very complicated, especially if you own one of the newer vehicles equipped with a computer. Leave the diagnosing to your auto repair shop. Just tell them the symptoms you are experiencing, including noises or the “feel” of the car, but then let them do their job.

Never buy from a mechanic who promises that parts will last over the full lifetime of a vehicle. This is total spin – just a way to grab more of your cash. A common example is a car that has “lifetime” transmission fluid. It is true that this fluid does not need as much maintenance as other fluids in your vehicle, but you will still have to replace it after 80,000 miles.

OEM is something that means Original Equipment Manufacturer. When having replacement parts installed on your vehicle, you might want keep this information in mind. If you ask for OEM parts, it will look like you know what you’re talking about. They will be less likely to place used parts in your automobile.

Consistency is key when it comes to vehicle repairs and maintenance. Repair shops that can be trusted should be valued. You may get different diagnoses of your car’s issues if you go to different places. Also, you will see that different shops will charge different rates.

You don’t need a mechanic’s help to add oil to the car, or to add windshield wiper fluid. The idea that you should have to pay for a mechanic to do these things is laughable. Understand the steps and then get to work.

Always listen for any sounds coming from your car. These sounds can tell you a lot about the problems that your car is having. If you can describe the sound to your mechanic you can save yourself some money by making it easier for them to diagnose the problem.

Ask many questions of your mechanic. Don’t limit your questions to the price of repairs, ask about the details of what the work involves. Ask how much work is involved. What’s being worked on? How much will the parts cost? Ask whatever else pops into your head. The more you find out, the more confident you will be when future repairs are needed–especially if this becomes a recurring issue.

The tips included here were meant to help you navigate the tricky world of auto repair. The information in this article should have put your mind at ease. Remember what you have read and know you can make a good decision.