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Using instinct to guide you through auto repairs is rarely a good approach. Instead, you must build a knowledge base regarding this very important investment of yours. It can be nerve wracking to even think about car repairs. These tips will help you deal with the situation better if it comes up again.

Prior to having your car repaired, ask how much you will have to pay. If you don't understand something, talk to the mechanic first. You don't want to be surprised by unexpected charges.

You need to know about all costs before handing your keys over. If a certain cost confuses you, don't hesitate to clear this up with the mechanic before allowing him or her to make repairs to your vehicle. You don't want to be shocked by a huge bill to pay.

When bringing your car to a mechanic, tell them you want OEM parts. These are the manufacturer's original parts. It can cost a lot less to use parts that are generic, but you won't get the most out of these things after a while. It might be a great deal, but if you have to continue to replace the part, it is not going to be a good deal in the long run.

Make sure the repair shop technician is familiar with the particular model of your vehicle. If the answer is yes, that's a very good thing.

Get OEM components. These are original manufacturer parts. While generic parts may be cheaper, you'll never know how good the quality is. What is a cheap option now could be an expensive option later.

If your headlights don't seem very bright, check them to see if they are clean. Headlights often accumulate grime and other debris during normal use. Before taking your car into the mechanic for this, try giving the headlights a good cleaning first.

Do your friends or family have any recommendations for good repairers? You may get a few recommendations from your friends and family that make your search easier. However, make sure you still do your own investigations on anyone that they recommend. At the very least, look to online reviews to check out how others feel about the shop in question.

Assemble repair tools and keep them in your car, so you are prepared at all times. For instance, if anything dealing with tire changes came with the car, have this in your car. A car jack and a lug wrench are essential tools to have. You may ask want to get a variety of screwdrivers, ratchets, socket wrenches and the like. Cheap tools are not worth your money. Get sturdy, quality tools that will not break on you.

Keep an eye on the lights located on the dash, and make sure you are aware of what they all mean. These lights are able to help you out, and determine when your car may need fixed. If you ignore them, the problem will only become worse than it is now.

Avoid diagnosing car problems yourself. You're still new to this! Do not assume an issue can be fixed easily, unless you have previous experience with this type of issue. Leave the diagnosing to your auto repair shop. Let them know about any sounds you heard or what problems you have been having, but let them be the ones to diagnose the issue.

www.picknpull.com You have to keep the car in the best condition possible if you hope to achieve the maximum lifespan. Unfortunately, some people do not know how to find affordable auto repair or make their own repairs. Take a second to read over all of the concepts discussed above and you will have what is required to maintain a running vehicle for years to come.