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Owning your own automobile can give you a wonderful sense of freedom. It’s great to get behind the wheel of your car and be able to go anywhere at anytime. The flip side of this coin, is the possibility of unexpected breakdowns and inconvenience. These following tips can get your car back on the road again.

Do not let a mechanic work on your vehicle unless they are A.S.E. certified. Being A.S.E. certified ensures you that your mechanic has proper training and experience. This lets you know you have the best of the best repairing your automobile.

Get yourself a good battery charger, making sure to keep it inside the car. Batteries die all the time, but you won’t be in trouble if you can charge it. The charger has special connecting points that you should be aware of when hooking it up to a car.

Always ask lots of questions at the shop where you are getting your car repaired. Focus particularly on the issue that you have; make sure to inquire about what you can do to prevent similar problems in the future. Preventing automotive issues is a valuable skill to save money during the year.

You should keep your car’s records in a handy location. You may want to have them in the glove compartment, so you can get to them easily if you need an emergency repair. Mechanics may want to see these records. They help them figure out what’s wrong quickly.

Never underestimate the value of keeping an emergency car kit handy. Your kit should include jumper cables, tire changing tools and maybe some extra gas. For night time breakdowns, make sure to include warm blankets and a flashlight with extra batteries.

Keep a record of every car repair. If the car has other issues later, it can help the tech see its past records. No records means a blank slate to go on.

Once a repair shop has finished with your car, go on a quick spin to make sure things are working properly. If you don’t do this, it’s possible that the problem isn’t even fixed.

Make sure you often check the radiator. Let the car idle for a short period first, but only long enough to let the fluid circulate. Then check the coolant level, but while the car is not running. You do not want the coolant to get hot; it is dangerous. Use a dipstick to check the amount of fluid in the radiator. You should also make sure to mix coolant fluid with water before you pour it into your radiator.

Have you noticed that your headlights aren’t shining very brightly? If so, ensure you are cleaning them regularly. Dirt and grease buildup can significantly dull your headlights. Use glass cleaner to wash any dirt away from them.

Put together an auto repair kit and keep it in your trunk. Make sure you have something to change a tire. If you don’t have a jack and lug wrench, get one. A Philips head as well as flat head screwdriver should be helpful, plus socket and adjustable wrenches. You should not have cheap tools. Get sturdy, quality tools that will not break on you.

Consider using OEM parts. These parts are directly from the manufacturer of your vehicle. Although generic parts are more affordable, OEM parts are better quality and will last longer. It might be a great deal, but if you have to continue to replace the part, it is not going to be a good deal in the long run.

If you have to have a big repair done, get multiple estimates. Even though mechanics are trustworthy in general, you could still wind up paying for more than you should. Take your time and find a shop you feel you can trust. Also, look for someone who has experience with your type of car. These types of shops will give you the best bang for your buck.

Just because your vehicle is temporarily broken down, doesn’t mean you’ve got to spend all your money on expensive repairs. There are many simple repairs you can do yourself. Use all of these tips to help you with those types of repairs.

Do not use all kinds of extra key chains with your keys. Though it may not seem to be all that heavy, your car’s ignition cannot handle that much weight pulling down on the key. If your keys starts sticking, you need the tumblers replaced.