If you own a car, you should know something about how it operates. However, most people don’t know anything about the subject. Luckily, the article below has some great tips that will help you keep your car in tip top shape.

Make sure that your mechanic is A.S.E certified before you let them work on 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 tells you that the mechanic is qualified to work on your car.

Always ask lots of questions at the shop where you are getting your car repaired. Ask what caused your problem in the first place to avoid the issue happening in the future. Preventing issues with your vehicle is an excellent way to save money.

Before you hand over your car to the shop, be sure you are clear about the repair costs. If you are unclear about certain things, clarification is needed before repairs are started. You don’t want to be hit with unexpected charges after the repairs are done.

Always keep records each time your car is repaired. Whenever another issue crops up, it is most helpful for your technician to take a look at this document. If you don’t have these kinds of records it could cost you more because you won’t be able to locate the problems quickly.

Do not leave valuable items in the interior of your car if you need to leave it at the repair shop. The mechanic may find that these things get in the way and they may get misplaced to where they cannot be located later. The same is true of your trunk or the bed of your truck.

When your headlights or taillights burn out, you can save a lot of money on repairs if you do it yourself. Doing so is easier in some cars than others, but it is still cheaper than paying a mechanic to make the replacement. If you are not confident, ask a friend or family member if they can help you.

Check around for a reputable mechanic by asking friends who are happy with their mechanic. As long as they have experience they can do the same work but they often charge far less for the labor. This can save you a lot of money, and at the same time, help out a small auto shop instead of letting a big shop profit.

Ask about prices and labor rates before you give your keys to a mechanic. A few shops hide their rates, so make sure to read the fine print and ask questions whenever necessary. Since it’s your car, you have to know the cost of repairs. Some shops provide repair time estimates established by manufacturers. A lot of repairs that seem to be easy to fix could end up taking a whole day in some cases.

Keep an eye on all of the warning lights on your dashboard and know what they mean. They are there to help you, so take advantage of that. Ignoring those for a long time can worsen issues later.

Don’t self diagnose complex auto repair issues. Don’t forget that you are not a repair wizard. What you may think is an easy fix may be a hard one, especially if your car is newer. Let the auto shop diagnose it. Supply them with all the necessary information, and let them handle the final diagnosis.

Warranties are vital when your car gets fixed, particularly if your parts are expensive. Ask the mechanic about the parts’ warranty. Ask for a print out of the warranty for your personal records.

There are no auto parts that will last the entirety of your life, and you shouldn’t buy any products that claim to do so. They may just be trying to jack your price up. For instance, some cars have “lifetime” transmission fluid. It does not last a lifetime and has to be changed every 80k miles.

If you get an estimate from a mechanic, tell them you need a few hours to think about it before making your decision. Call other garages or dealerships and ask how much they would charge you for the kind of repairs the first mechanic is advocating. If there is a cheaper price elsewhere, then you need to go to that shop.

If the mechanic provides a quote that goes over $200, get a written estimate. You will need a written document if you want to complain later. It can also help avoid being overcharged if the mechanic has already given you with the written quote.

Always listen to the sounds that your vehicle is making. Noise can mean a lot when it comes to a problem that a car is having. Accurately describing the sound you hear to your mechanic can save you money when it comes to diagnosing the problem.

If the mechanic hems and haws about giving you firm estimate, you may want to find someone else. If he doesn’t make the repairs properly, you may not be able to receive compensation, since you don’t have proof of a contract in writing.

If you need to put your car in storage, you can avoid having to pay for repairs by placing the car on jack stands and filling the tank. Do not use the parking brake. Also, store the car somewhere that is dry to prevent rust.

Pick up a few heavy-duty, rubber mats to place in your car in the wintertime. The mats keep salt, slush and mud off of the carpeting. These are a major must have item for the winter and rainy seasons.

Owning a car includes being responsible for maintaining it and fixing it when you need to. Unfortunately, some people do not know how to find affordable auto repair or make their own repairs. If you keep this advice in mind, you’ll have no issues keeping your car on the road.