Having your car suddenly stall and die while driving, especially on the highway, is not a pleasant feeling. You may be in a perilous place, and you will have the added headache of searching for a mechanic. How do you go about finding a good mechanic? Use the following tips to find the right auto repair service.

Bring a battery charger with you in your trunk. Dead batteries are common, and a good battery charger will come in handy more than once. Learn to locate the points where you should connect the battery charger on your car.

It is important that you fully understand what all the charges will be upfront, before handing the mechanic your car keys. If you need clarification, ask the service advisor for additional information before repairs commence. You don’t want to get the car back, only to be shocked at how much the repairs cost you.

Make sure to have all your car records on hand. Some people keep this paperwork in the glove compartment of their car so it is readily available, if needed. Professional mechanics are going to ask for those records. Good documentation can help diagnose problems a lot faster.

Always think of how to fix your car’s problems yourself before trying to get it repaired. A bit of money can be saved in this way, and you may stay away from fraudulent people. You probably already know that certain mechanics will come with lies to charge more money.

You may be able to replace the lights on your car yourself. Having a mechanic do it is horribly expensive. See if anyone you know can give you a lesson.

Before you decide on an auto shop, ask your friends to talk about their car repair experiences. They have used mechanics before and can fill you in on their experiences. You should still do your research however. At the minimum, take a look online to see what others are saying about the shop as well.

Key Chain

Avoid attaching your car keys to a heavy key chain or detach your keys every time you drive. The ignition cannot hold the weight of a big key chain. If your keys starts sticking, you need the tumblers replaced.

Washing your car during the winter is important to keep road salt and sand from doing corrosive damage Although you may feel like the car just gets dirty again right after cleaning it, the winter weather is harsh on your vehicle. With so much sand and salt around, you are just asking for rust and abrasion. After washing your car, dry it thoroughly to prevent ice formation.

OEM means Original Equipment Manufacturer. Remember this when you need a part replaced on your car. You will seem like you know what you are talking about if you tell a mechanic you only want OEM parts. This will lower your chances of getting someone that places used components in your vehicle.

If you discover a serious problem on your new car, be sure to contact the manufacturer. There may be something wrong with the car model that will necessitate a recall. Oftentimes, the manufacturer will have your car fixed.

When you get a diagnosis, take some time before you decide to get the repairs done. Call competitors and other mechanics to see how much you’d pay if you went to them instead. If another place can fix it cheaper, pay the first place their fee for the diagnostic and have your car fixed somewhere else.

If you receive a repair estimate in excess of a couple of hundred dollars, get things in writing. Written proof can prove to be invaluable to settling any disagreement you may have with the mechanic. You will also avoid extra charges when you have a written quote.

Listen to sounds your car is making. Noises can help diagnose a problem. If possible, describe the sounds you noticed to your mechanic so they can quickly diagnose the issue.

Selecting the right company to repair your car is often difficult. Educating yourself on the topic makes finding one much easier. You will be on firm footing if you know in advance what questions you want answers to. Use these tips when your car next gives you problems.