If you want to learn how to take care of your car, sometimes the best solution is to talk to a professional. Rather than damaging your car through fixing it yourself, learn how to call upon a reliable mechanic. Read this article for tips on how to do just that.

Basic maintenance like oil changes are actually very easy to do yourself. You only need at ramp, a pan, and a few basic tools. Just be sure to check with your city or county government beforehand to find out where to take your waste oil. It is extremely damaging to the environment, and you could face steep fines for dumping it out.

To make certain you are turning your vehicle over to a trustworthy repair shop, take the time to read online reviews of mechanics in your local area. By doing a bit of research on your own and soliciting the opinions of people you trust, you stand a better chance of finding a skilled professional to fix your car. Otherwise, you may end up making a decision you ultimately regret.

A spare tire and a jack are essential items to keep in your trunk. Many new cars have these. You don’t want to end up stranded somewhere and get stuck paying a lot for a tow. It’s cheaper and easier to do it by yourself.

Assemble an auto repair kit and put it inside of your trunk. You’re going to need to have some tire changing tools in this kit at the very least. Be sure to purchase a lug wrench and a car jack if you haven’t got one. A Philips head as well as flat head screwdriver should be helpful, plus socket and adjustable wrenches. Never buy really cheap tools. Invest in high-quality tools that you will own forever.

Save some money by using your local auto parts store’s diagnostic equiptment. Many are more than happy to let their customers use it because you may then purchase parts at their store. You benefit because you may have a small problem you can fix or you can just tell your mechanic what you want done.

There are many “backyard” mechanics out there that preform excellent auto repairs. You can usually find lower prices if you go through mechanics that are not affiliated with a franchise. Next time your car is in need of repairs, ask around for referrals for an unlicensed but fabulous mechanic.

Always exercise the highest level of caution when working with your car’s fuel system. Never work around fuel tanks, fuel lines or pumps with sources of ignition such as cigarettes or anything that could produce a spark. Wipe up any fuel spills immediately, and protect yourself by wearing fuel-resistant gloves and eyewear.

You should not have a lot of heavy items on your keychain. Your car’s ignition is simply not designed to hold all that weight, even if it may not seem that heavy to you. Too much weight on your keychain can cause your key to stick.

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.

Although the dealer for your car’s make may provide the highest expertise when it comes to repair service, it may not always be the most cost effective choice. Many independent car repair shops have technicians that formerly worked at dealerships and are factory trained. You may be able to save a good amount by choosing an independent shop over the dealer, without a loss of quality.

You can fix small dents with a suction cup dent puller. This usually works for very small dents that can easily be covered with the suction cup. If the cup does not work, you will have to apply some filler into the dent, sand and paint until it becomes invisible.

A mechanic can be your best friend if your car is acting up and you are not sure how to fix it yourself. The tips in this article should have given you some guidance on this matter. Remember them the next time you find yourself in need of auto repair!