If you spend any amount of time driving a vehicle, it is crucial to understand the ins and outs of automotive repair. There are many people who don’t have such information. This article fortunately allows you to learn some tips that will keep your car in great condition.

Before you let the mechanic work on your car, make sure that you have all of the prices down. Ask about any additional fees that may come up during the repair and any charges that you may not be aware of. This will ensure that you are not surprised when the bill comes for your car repair.

When you are at the auto shop, ask a lot of questions concerning your car. Be sure the questions involve the problems you are having with your car and what you can do to prevent it from happening again. Prevention is a great way to save lots of money.

When taking your car to the mechanic’s, you should not leave before having a complete diagnosis of what needs to be fixed. If the mechanic refuses to look at the car right away or does not want to give you a quote for the issues he diagnosed, find someone else.

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.

Pay attention to the signs a potential mechanic gives to you. If he cannot give you eye contact, rushes his words, or avoids answering any questions you have for him, he may be trying to hide something. Perhaps he does not really know what he is doing or is lying about something else. If this is the case, go with another mechanic.

Follow your car’s tune up schedule. Each car is different, and that means each has different needs. A tune up schedule for one will not be the same for another. Look into your car manual for details on a proper tune-up schedule for your model. Otherwise, you could have more problems in the future.

Check to see if the mechanic you are considering is familiar with your make and model of vehicle. Though there are lots of universal concepts, a large SUV requires different knowledge than a compact car does. If you don’t know, pay extra to get the dealer to repair it.

If your car’s electrical system is behaving strangely, try cleaning the ground cables. Auto makers use the metal body of a vehicle to act as a “ground” for the electrical system. Over time the area where this cable connects to the frame can corrode, causing a stray electrical current that can wreak havoc on your system. This cable is usually connected on the firewall or fender, so simply disconnect it and use a wire brush or sandpaper to clean the contacts.

Keep a basic repair kit in your car trunk at all times. A simple kit consisting of wrenches, jumper cables, screws, and a jack can be a lifesaver if your car breaks down on the road. This will allow you to make small repairs on the spot, saving you the cost of an expensive tow truck.

As a car owner, it is your responsibility to keep your car in good working order. That said, not everybody knows how you can identify a skilled auto shop or make the repairs yourself. Take these ideas and apply them next time you need to repair you car. You should be able to save yourself time and money in the future. Good luck.