Every driver hates that feeling when they realize that something on their car has stopped working correctly. The stress involved with getting your car repaired is enough to drive you bananas. Luckily, the following article will teach you everything you need to know about choosing a auto repair service that you can rely on.

Be very careful when touching the electronic parts on your car. You should not touch wires unless the entire system is turned off. You should pay attention to the warning labels on the different parts of your car; touching some parts can be dangerous even when your car is turned off.

Keeping your car washed will help prevent rust.

All cars will eventually rust out, but you can delay the process considerably by making sure any salt or chemicals are washed off as soon as possible. Make sure to wax your car so as to protect the paint.

Read the manual for your car and make notes of important pages. This will help you when it comes time for you to visit your mechanic if a major problem occurs. The manual could also help you figure out a simple solution to a problem that you are having.

When you top off your motor oil, avoid spilling oil on your engine by wadding up a couple of paper towels around the oil receptacle on the crank-case. This will absorb drips and spills. Be sure to dispose of your empty oil container and the paper towels responsibly when finished adding oil.

If you are worried about an auto body shop puffing up the amount of work that needs to be done, go and get free diagnostics from somewhere else. Since there is no guarantee you will get work done by them, they have no reason to claim there is more needed than necessary.

Be open to asking any questions that cross your mind.

Auto repair is a very complex thing. You will have questions, and don’t feel intimidated about asking them. If you don’t, you may not completely understand why the repairs were needed in the first place or how costly the current situation really is.

Beware of mechanics who do unneeded repairs on the car. Work should never be performed without your permission, but a good mechanic may point out upcoming repairs that are necessary. Do not take your care twice to a mechanic who performed some unnecessary repairs.

Contact your local Better Business Bureau if you need more information on a mechanic or a garage. If some complaints have been filed against them, your Better Business Bureau will tell you. Ask your friends and family about the different mechanics they have dealt with in the past to get some recommendations.

The Automotive Service Excellence logo is a sign that you have found a good mechanic. Mechanics have to successfully pass an exam and maintain an excellent record to receive this logo. Not all good mechanics get this certification but you should still try finding a mechanic who is ASE certified.

Save some money by using your local auto parts store’s diagnostic equiptment.

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.

You shouldn’t forget about your wiper blades. You need new windshield wipers if they are making noises or leaving streaks. Wiper blades should be replaced at a minimum of once per year, or more than that if you reside in a particularly wet climate.

A warranty is one of the most important things you’ll need for car repairs. Ask the mechanic about the warranties on any parts he is replacing. Ask for a print out of the warranty for your personal records.

Prior to leaving your car for a diagnosis, ask the repair shop about any fees associated with it.

The auto repair shop absolutely has the right to charge a diagnosis fee, in fact it’s pretty standard. Though, if it seems out of line with other prices in your area, you may want to go to another shop.

There are some shady mechanics out there, and they will resort to extreme lows to get your money. If a mechanic tells you that your axle boot is torn, ask to see it. A legitimate tear will be jagged and greasy. If it is a straight cut, let them know that you know they did the damage and you will contact a lawyer if they don’t fix it for free.

These days, there are a countless number of dishonest auto repair services that can’t wait to cheat you out of your hard earned money. Make sure you avoid these business by using the tips mentioned in the article above. Your efforts will be well worth it in the end.