There’s nothing scarier than driving down the highway and having your car suddenly die. Besides it just being hazardous, it can also be difficult to locate someone that’s going to be able to help you repair your vehicle. How can you know which mechanic is the best? Use these tips to get proper auto repair service.

Be sure and regularly check your radiator. Keep your car running then shut the engine for several minutes before opening the hood. Never, ever open the radiator while the car is still on. Use your dipstick to check fluid levels and mix water with coolant ahead of pouring it in.

Before allowing an auto shop to do repairs to your vehicle, ensure you are aware of the total cost. 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. If you do not communicate with your mechanic, you might be surprised with additional fees once you receive your bill.

You don’t always need a mechanic when you have trouble with your car. Some car repairs are easy to do yourself. If you are game, then check online to research the problem. Simple repairs that do not require special tools can be done by yourself, and can save you money.

Keep car records handy. You may want to store them in the glove compartment for easy access. Auto repair mechanics and professionals will need the records. The records can help them figure out the problem.

Record each repair that you have done on your car. If you have problems with your vehicle later on, you will find it helpful to have some records for the next technician to look at. Not maintaining these records will likely mean you have to spend more money because diagnosing the problem will be harder for the mechanic to do.

Be careful of mechanics who will do unnecessary work on your vehicle. All reputable mechanics will notify you before doing any repairs and will inform you of any parts that could require repairs in the immediate future. Never return to a mechanic that ripped you off.

Never leave any valuables in your car when it is getting repaired. Your mechanic may need these parts removed so that they can make repairs. If you discover missing items later, they hold no liability. Take all items out of your trunk, too.

If your headlights don’t seem very bright, check them to see if they are clean. Dirt and grease buildup can significantly dull your headlights. Before taking your car into the mechanic for this, try giving the headlights a good cleaning first.

Look for warning signs that repair mechanics may give off. If they tend to talk in circles or ignore your questions, then they might not be all that you want them to be. If your gut feeling is that you don’t quite trust your mechanic, keep looking for one who inspires confidence in you and helps you understand the problems with your car.

Pay attention to your wiper blades. You need new windshield wipers if the ones you have are making noises and leaving streaks on the glass. You need to replace the wipers on your car about every year or even more often if there is a lot of rain where you live.

When a problem is big, don’t self-diagnose it. You’re still new to this! What may seem like a simple problem to fix can be quite complex, especially in newer computerized vehicles. Let the auto shop diagnose it. Give them every detail about what happened and if there were any sounds associated with the problem, and let them diagnose the trouble.

Bleed brakes after you’ve worked on them and before test driving them. Then pump out the brake fluid. Check to make sure there are no leaks that can cause the fluid to escape. You can test drive the car safely on low-traffic roads. Start slow to see if your repairs are good, then you can accelerate.

If you discover a serious problem on your new car, be sure to contact the manufacturer. There might be a recall issued for the vehicle or the manufacturer will consider issuing a recall if you are not the only person who complains. In the case of a recall, most manufacturers will pick up the cost of fixing it.

If the mechanic provides a quote that goes over $200, get a written estimate. Having written proof can help you in the future. They’ll be much less likely to tack on unnecessary repairs to a bill where they’ve already given you a written quote.

Exhaust System

Ask your mechanic to give you the old parts that had to be removed. This helps you know whether the repairs have actually been done. A lot of repairs don’t need this to be done, like when the exhaust system gets repaired. It is not hard to see if a brand new exhaust system was put in place.

Do not place water inside of your car’s windshield cleaning compartment. While water may clean your windshield, that compartment is designed for a specific fluid. Check the windshield washer compartment regularly and refill it as needed. Keep a bottle in your car. The trunk is good place to keep a bottle.

Have your mechanic itemize all repair costs. You can then easily compare fees between different mechanics and make sure the estimates cover the same items. The cost of the actual parts should be close, so this will allow you to figure out which one is a better deal in terms of labor costs.

It’s no simple task to find a great mechanic. The process is simplified, though, once you have a bit of know-how. Asking the right questions and understanding red flags is key. When you have car problems, remember the tips in this article.