If You Are Having Car Problems, Here's What It Takes To Fix Them |
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James Kupe
August 12, 2013
When you have car problems, you should get your car fixed quickly. Having no car to use can be very inconvenient. However, you needn't break the bank to have your car fixed. There are certain repairs you can even do yourself.
Make sure the oil in your vehicle is changed about every 3,000 miles. Waiting longer for an oil change can result in dirt and debris fouling your oil and that can damage your engine. If you use synthetic oil in your vehicle, you only need to change the filter every other oil change.
Purchase motor oil on sale and in discount stores and keep two or three bottles in the trunk of your car. Check your oil every time you fill your gas tank. If you find that your oil level is low, you will save lots of money by having your own oil on hand rather than purchasing it at a gas station for inflated prices.
Make sure that you wash your car frequently to reduce rust and corrosion. Every car is going to rust in the future, but this can be delayed if you just get all of the chemicals and salt off your car when you can. Wax your car to keep paint in good condition, too.
A great way to get a good mechanic is by asking around. Ask the people you know for their recommendations. You can find out about the quality of service and the costs. They will be the first to tell you about a dishonest mechanic too.
If your car door and hatch locks tend to become stiff, avoid breaking your key off in the lock by lubricating them periodically with a penetrating oil spray. You can use the plastic extender that comes with the spray can to deliver oil to the interior of the locking mechanism. If you have misplaced this extender, just spray your key liberally and turn it in the stiff lock several times.
If you're performing your own repairs underneath a car and have it raised in the air, ensure that the lifting device you use is secure. Never lift a car that is not on level ground or on a firm surface. Always use jack-stands in the proper position and never solely rely on a jack to keep a car raised off the ground.
Follow your car's tune up schedule. Each car is different, and that means each has different needs. A tune up schedule for one will not be the same for another. Look into your car manual for details on a proper tune-up schedule for your model. Otherwise, you could have more problems in the future.
You can often save quite a bit of money by using your local auto parts store's diagnostic equipment. Many are more than happy to let their customers use it because you may then purchase parts at their store. You benefit because you may have a small problem you can fix or you can just tell your mechanic what you want done.
As you can see, fixing your car does not have to require taking your car to the shop and paying an arm and a leg to the mechanic. Quite often you can solve basic issues right in your own garage. Apply the tips from this article and spend more time maintaining your vehicle to prevent issues.