As a car owner, you know that frustrating automobile problems are an all too common occurrence. Learning something about auto repair can save you a ton of money. Make use of the valuable vehicle repair advice found in this article. This information may prove to be quite useful to you down the road.

Check the fluids in your car regularly. Check the oil level with the dipstick you can find under your hood. The dipstick should have a mark on it to indicate the ideal oil level. Add a quart of oil if you need to and check the level again after letting your car run for a few minutes.

Regularly check your radiator’s performance. To do this, you need to allow your car to run several minutes, and then turn off the engine. You are now ready to open up your hood. Never, ever open the radiator while the car is still on. With a dipstick, check your radiator fluid. Before adding more coolant remember to mix it with water.

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.

When trying to get an estimate for the cost of your auto repairs, ask the technician how they calculate the cost. There are some shops that charge your a flat rate for parts and labors, but others will try and charge you a fee for each hour they spend fixing your car.

Schedule yourself extra time for free checkups, especially if you are going in on a weekend. No matter how early you get in, there are only so many bays in the garage. That means that your car may have to wait for a few paying clients before it gets looked at.

When searching for an auto repair shop, you should choose one that specializes in the brand of vehicle you have. While there are probably many trustworthy shops in your area, going with one specializing in your car makes it more likely that the technician knows what they are doing. They will also probably have many parts needed for your car.

Check online for reviews of local mechanics. This will speak volumes about their customer service abilities and their skill in solving issues. The information will help locate a local repair shop that you are comfortable with trusting with such an important job.

Test out your car before paying for its repairs. A lot of people do not do this; therefore, they wind up with the same issues that existed before taking their car to the shop.

If your car needs body work, make sure you know what color paint you have on your vehicle. This information is important for the technician that works on your car. Also, your vehicle identification number is always something good to have on hand. In many cases, you will have to have it just to set up an appointment.

Stick with Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) components. If your car needs parts, choose OEM parts over generic ones. For optimum performance, you should have the OEM parts that are up to the manufacturer’s standards. While generic parts are cheaper, they’re generally a lower quality than the original ones. This means that you may pay more later for replacements.

Auto issues can be annoying and aggravating. They can also be very expensive too. When you understand the basics of car repair and remember the tips provided in this article, you can properly maintain your car and avoid the expensive repair bills of a mechanic.