Auto repairs can end up being very expensive. Not only do you have to pay for parts, you have to pay for a mechanic to service your vehicle. Wouldn’t it be nice to do the car repairs yourself and save your hard-earned money. The advice in this article will teach you how.
Check the transmission fluid every two to three months. Let your engine run and open the hood of your car. Use the transmission dipstick to check the fluid levels. If there is not enough fluid in your transmission you probably have a leak somewhere in your system. It is best to take the car to a mechanic so he can locate the leak.
Make sure that you do not neglect the radiator in your car. You should let your car run for a few minutes, shut the engine and open your hood. Do not open the radiator if the car is running. Use a dipstick to check the fluid levels, and always add the correct amount of water to your coolant before adding it to your tank.
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.
Don’t neglect your regular maintenance. These scheduled visits are not there just to get more money from you. They are designed to make sure maintenance is done on specific components before you end up stranded on the side of the road. While you might be able to skip one or two and be okay, the damage will shorten the life of your car.
Protect your car from water damage. Take the time to make sure all windows and doors are properly closed. Keep your car on higher ground if you live in an area that’s easily flooded. If you have sandbags, build a wall around your car. Don’t drive in areas with high water levels. Don’t start your car if it’s been exposed to flood waters.
Keep your car’s owner manual handy. Knowing vital car information can really help when something unexpected occurs. If you know your car’s controls, you may even avoid a trip to a mechanic. If you do need a mechanic, you should have the make, model, and trim level available so that they can figure out things like your transmission configuration, size, etc. much quicker.
Be sure headlights are clean if they’re not shining as bright as they once did. Different substances from the road will accumulate on the glass of the headlights. This will block a portion of the light. Clean theses with a good quality glass cleaning agent to get them as clean as possible.
Every car is going to need some form of repair at one point or another. That doesn’t mean that you have to rely on a mechanic to do the repairs for you. You can keep the money you would have given to the mechanic and perform your own repairs. This article will be a huge help.
