Do you have a vehicle that is in need of repair? Before you go about getting fixed, it is important that you are well educated on the subject to ensure you get the repairs you need. This article will teach you all you need to know when it comes to auto repair.

Make sure the oil in your vehicle is changed about every 3,000 miles. Waiting longer for an oil change can result in dirt and debris fouling your oil and that can damage your engine. If you use synthetic oil in your vehicle, you only need to change the filter every other oil change.

If any parts of your car need to be replaced, make sure you ask for the (OEM) Original Equipment Manufacturer parts instead of generic parts. Keeping the exact specifications required by the manufacturer is essential in having optimum performance. Although generic parts are cheaper, spending a little more on OEM parts will make a big impact on your car’s longevity.

Always ask lots of questions when you take your car to get repaired. Don’t let the mechanic intimidate you. Ask why something needs to be fixed or how it will be done. If the mechanic tries to brush you off, doesn’t look at you, or refuses to answer your questions, consider taking your car to 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.

Do not be afraid to ask a potential technician any questions you have. It is your vehicle that they will be working on and it is important that someone with the proper qualifications is handling it with care. In addition to asking about the problem with the vehicle, ask them any other questions you have about your car.

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.

Always keep a clear and easy path to your key on the keychain. It is advised that you remove any and all fluffy keychains from the ring. The ignition in your car isn’t designed to take a bunch of weight even if your car keys don’t feel that heavy. Once your car key begins sticking, you should immediately eliminate your heavy keychains.

Learn how to perform basic maintenance on your vehicle. It is very easy to do a tune up or change your oil so there really is no reason to bring your car to an auto repair shop to have these things done. Instead, just watch tutorials online to learn what you need to do it on your own.

Have a repair shop in mind before you run into trouble. If you wait until an emergency, you may end up going with a shady mechanic who is convenient because you are desperate. Ask friends for a mechanic with a good reputation. Then when you run into repair problems, you can trust you won’t be ripped off.

Before taking your car to a repair shop, take pictures of the areas that need to be fixed. Most auto shops are totally reputable, but there’s always an exception that may consider stripping some things from your car. You are safer if you have documentation of the condition of your car prior to having any work done on it.

Keep full copies of all of your auto repair work orders and every receipt as well. You’ll want to have this proof available if any workmanship issues crop up. Plus, when you are selling the car, you’ll tend to get more value for it when you are able to show exactly what has been repaired and how.

As the beginning of this piece discussed, if you need a vehicle of yours to be repaired, there are some things you need to be aware. If you do not do your homework, your vehicle could once again break down next month, next week, or even tomorrow. Use these tips to get the repairs you need.