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Fixing your car is priority one. You can't get to where you need to go is you car is not running properly. That said, you can keep costs to a minimum. There are a lot of basic repairs you can do yourself.

You need to see if the mechanic has ever done work on the exact same type of car before. If yes, then you can trust them with your car.

Keep a record of every car repair. This will help the technician when you get future repairs on your car. Without records, you might have to pay higher costs due to taking longer to find the problem.

Make a DIY kit to store in the trunk to help you in times of need. Basic tools that should be included are tire changing tools. Buy a jack if your car does not already have one equipped. You may ask want to get a variety of screwdrivers, ratchets, socket wrenches and the like. Don't waste your money on bad quality tools. Instead, you should obtain solid tools that don't break whenever you really need them.

When you need a major repair done, get numerous estimates. Do not pay extra money for a service that can be performed at a fraction of the cost. Try and locate a shop that specializes in servicing your particular type of car. Such shops have a greater chance of knowing how to fix your car.

You can save yourself a great deal of money by repairing your burnt out head or tail lights yourself. It's simpler in some vehicles than others, but doing it yourself is much cheaper than hiring a mechanic. Ask a friend if they'll help you learn how its done.

Pay attention to your wiper blades. If you notice your windshield wipers are not working properly, get new ones. You should replace wiper blades at least once a year or more often if you live in an area where rain is commonplace or if you notice your wiper blades are worn out.

Ask people you know about experiences they have had with repairing their cars. The search process can be improved with recommendations from friend and loved ones. You should still always do some research on the person they tell you about. If you don't have a lot of time, take a minute to look online.

Just because the days are colder doesn't mean you should avoid washing your vehicle. Winter temporary car insurance is actually the season when your car's exterior gets the most damage. The sand and salt from winter leads to rust and abrasion. Just make sure you dry the car thoroughly before heading back out onto the roads to prevent icing.

It is important to check your warranty when you are having your car repaired, especially if you need very expensive parts. Ask the mechanic about any warranties on parts they ordered for you. Ask for a print out of the warranty for your personal records.

If you need to have your car fixed, but you don't have a lot of cash on hand, think about asking a local vocational school if they have an auto repair class. You won't have to pay as much money to have the car repaired, because students will be working on it while supervised by a mechanic.

Don't let a mechanic tell you that flushing your engine is routine 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.

Not that many people take time to read their car's owner's manual. But, reading it can give you a lot of helpful information. It has important information about your car that you need to be aware of.

It's not uncommon to drop off you car for one repair and then be told that there are more repairs needed. This is often done to make you feel as though you've been given a great deal. Let them know you will be in touch, and look around for a better deal.

As you now know, you don't always have to pay a mechanic an obscene amount of money to have your repairs done. If you take care of the problem yourself, you can save a lot of money. These tips will get you back to driving in no time.