If you feel uneasy about trusting the first opinion you get on what is wrong with your car, do not feel bad about this. It is in fact a very good thing. Always ask questions and insist that a mechanic justify any major repairs that he or she is recommending.

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.

Communicate with your mechanic as much as possible. Explain the issues you have been encountering with your car and do not hesitate to ask questions to your mechanic if you do not fully understand the repairs that are needed. Ask about prices and do not let your mechanic fix your car until you fully understand charges.

Be sure headlights are clean if they’re not shining as bright as they once did. Residue can diminish their light output. Use a quality glass cleaner to keep your lights clean.

A dealer is not your only option when car repairs are necessary. There are a variety of mechanics and auto shops on offer for you to chose from. If you find someone that you’re comfortable with, they should be used.

When you fill your car with gas, check tire pressure. Inspect your tires and look for embedded rocks or small objects. If you see anything wrong with them, get the problem fixed right away. You don’t want to take any chances by driving with weak tires.

Educate yourself on the basics of car repairs and warranties before going to the mechanic. Parts are also classified according to their condition: new, salvaged, and reconditioned, rebuilt, and re-manufactured. New means that the parts were made to meet the standard manufacturer specifications by an independent retailer or the dealer themselves. Parts that are rebuilt, reconditioned, and re-manufactured have been restored to good condition. “Salvage” refers to used parts that aren’t altered.

Many auto repair shops will tell you that you need your fuel injectors replaced when you do not. This is a way to get some more money from you. The proper time to replace them is after every 35,000 miles of driving. If anyone tells you that it needs to be done sooner, look for someone else to do your auto repairs.

If you take your car to an auto repair shop to get one thing fixed and they tell you that other repairs are needed, thank them for the information and decline the additional services. Go to several other places and get quotes before allowing them to do any more work on your car.

If a part on your car has to be replaced, get an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) part. If you want your car to run at the highest possible level, it is important not to just put any old generic part in your vehicle. While OEM parts cost more, they are worth it in the end.

An engine flush is not necessarily normal maintenance. This is a pricy process that isn’t necessary unless you’ve done things to harm your engine like not changing the oil regularly.

As you know from the tips in this article, there are things you can do empower yourself when it comes to keeping your car in good running condition. Just because you are not a mechanic yourself does not mean that you must be vulnerable to potential fraud. Speak your mind, be proactive and then trust your automobile to the hands that you choose.