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Having the power of knowledge in your hands concerning auto repairs is nothing to take lightly. They can arise at any given time, and they can really irritate and side track all the events in your life. However, with the knowledge you're about to read, you will now be able to handle those situations much better.



Familiarize yourself with the dashboard of your car. Your dashboard should display five different kinds of warning, including the check engine light, oil pressure warning, an alternator warning, a temperature warning and a brake warning. Learn to recognize these different lights so you can easily identify what needs your attention.



It is not legal for a mechanic to start working on your car before you officially authorize them to do so, usually by signing a contract. Be careful what you authorize the mechanic to do. You should only sign documents that include a detailed list of the needed repairs and their prices.











It is a good idea to add an injector cleaner to the fuel you put into your gas tank regularly. You will get better gas mileage if the fuel injectors in your cars engine are kept clean. Adding enough cleaner to treat a full tank once a month is usually enough to improve your mileage a little.



Your car owners manual is actually a valuable guide to the workings of your car. That means that you should not trash it as soon as you leave the dealer. It can tell you everything from what that light on your dash means, to how to perform basic maintenance on your particular model.



Know your car before taking it in for any auto repairs. If you have little knowledge on the specs of click here to read , you may end up being taken for a ride without you knowing it. Read through your manual at the bare minimum before going for any larger repairs.



Even if you aren't particularly handy, there are a few DIY repairs that almost anyone can do. For example, changing the windshield wiper blades is really just a matter of snapping off one set and snapping on another. Look in your user's manual or use a measuring tape to determine what size you need. Don't be dismayed if the store where you purchase your windshield wiper blades only has one in the right size. You can use one that is an inch shorter on the passenger side of your windshield without causing any problems.



Always ask in advance how much labor costs at that particular shop. In fact, do not give them your keys until you have a clear understanding of what you will be charged. Many times, this information is not posted in an obvious place, so it is important to know what you are getting yourself into.



Avoid fluffy, silly keychains, or find a way to separate your auto key from that bunch of keys on the chain! Your car's ignition is simply not designed to hold all that weight, even if it may not seem that heavy to you. The last thing that you want is your key to stick, so try to reduce weight immediately.



Take some time to learn about your vehicle and how it works. This can prevent your from falling victim to auto repair fraud when you need to bring it to be fixed. It could also lead to you being able to fix simple problems on your own, saving you a great deal of money.



Most people do not read http://www.motherearthnews.com/green-transportation/green-vehicles/build-your-own-car-zm0z13amzmar . It's important that you understand the specifics of your model. Your manual contains everything you need to know about maintaining your vehicle and performing small repairs yourself.






<img src="http://www.butte.edu/departments/careertech/automotive/images/Floor_plan2.jpg" />

Check a variety of sources of information before attempting an auto repair for the first time. Do a good online search, watch instructional videos and seek out books at your local library and take time to talk with an experienced mechanic before you dive in to try that repair. Once you feel comfortable with the concept, make a list of the things you need and the steps you will need to take to make the repair successfully.



Learn about what the fluids in your vehicle look like. Knowing this can help you determine exactly what is leaking if anything is. Having this knowledge can help you to diagnose your problem and relay the information your mechanic may need to properly repair your vehicle. It could also even save you some money.



Be sure to keep the area where you are working on your car free of hazards. Keep your tools and spare parts picked up so that you and others will not trip over them. Be sure to work in an area with good ventilation so that you won't be overcome by potentially toxic fumes. Have a bag of cat litter on hand to clean up spills quickly to avoid slipping.



Always bleed the brakes after working on them or preceding a test drive. After this, pump your brake fluid. Check for leaks to make sure the fluid doesn't run out. At that point, you should feel comfortable taking the car out on a road with less traffic. Start slowly to make sure that the repair is done well before you start to drive faster.



You can easily fix small leaks in the roof of your car with some brush-on seam sellers. Use trim adhesive if you need to fix connections between different sections of the roof. If some sections of the roof are torn off, you should use some special caulking to fill holes.



Fixing your car yourself should not intimidate you. Although the engine may seem complicated to you, once you know the basics, auto repair is as easy as pie. Keep the advice provided here nearby so that you can turn to them whenever you need assistance. You can knowledgeably find your way through an auto repair process if you keep them in mind.