Category: Auto Repair

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Auto Repair

Car Repairs: Tips And Tricks On Getting Your Car Fixed

TIP! Buy a good battery charger to keep in the car. Having a car battery die is a common problem, so keeping a battery charger in your car can help you and others in this situation.

Auto repair can be an overwhelming topic. However, the article below has some quick and simple tips to make auto repair easier for you. Launch yourself on a learning curve about car repair. Save on future repair costs because of what you learn here.

TIP! Look for online body shop reviews for any business you’re thinking of patronizing. This can give you a good indication of how satisfied customers are with their work.

Check your radiator frequently. Run your car, turn it off then pop the hood. Do not lift the radiator lid when the engine is running or if it is too hot. Check the radiator fluids using a dipstick and remember to always mix the coolant with water before putting it in the radiator.

TIP! Before making your payment to the mechanic when picking up your car, take it out for a spin first to check that everything is working. Many people don’t do this, and the car ends up with the same issues that were supposed to be repaired.

It is not always necessary to call a repairman when you have car trouble. Some repairs are easy to make. Check online to find out what might be wrong with your car. When it’s a simple fix, do it yourself!

TIP! Avoid mechanics who charge you for repairs that are not really needed. They should contact you before doing any extra work.

Keep all of your car records handy. These should be kept in the glove compartment of your vehicle for easy access out on the road. The people repairing your automobile are going to need to look over these records. They can find problems much quicker that way.

TIP! Buy OEM parts. These parts are original and from the manufacturer.

Look for signs that should serve as a warning that your repair man is no good. If they do not answer you directly, you may want to find someone else. Run, don’t walk, to another mechanic.

Bad News

TIP! Replacing your own taillights and headlights is an easy way to save money. While it’s easier in some vehicles than others, it’s a whole lot cheaper to do it yourself.

Invest in a spare tire and a jack, and keep them in your vehicle. Many cars will come with these straight off of the dealership’s floor. Stuck on the side of the road with a flat tire is bad news. Stuck without a jack and spare tire is bad news and a big bill. It will be quicker and less costly when you do it yourself.

TIP! Think about finding a mechanic who does repairs in his or her own garage. For basic repairs they can charge far less and you both can be happy.

Rather than taking your old car to the shop because it has several problems, learn what the warning signals are for areas that can break down. Hopefully, this article has shown you how to perform simple auto repairs to your vehicle. Keep these tips in mind when the car acts up.

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Auto Repair

Which Auto Parts to Use for Repairs

Which Auto Parts to Use for Repairs

There are many options to choose from when it comes to a car that doesn’t work anymore: it can be junked, a new car can be purchased, the car can be fixed, a rental car can be used for the time being, or a family member’s can can also be used for the time being. There are a plethora of ideas that can be chosen from if one has a failing car, though, the best thing to do would just repair the car that doesn’t work any longer. This may also be harder than it looks, though, because of the fact that auto parts are expensive nowadays, labor is expensive when getting repairs done at an auto repair shop, and there are many choices to make as to what kind of repairs need to be made anyway.

One issue that many people deal with when fixing their car by themselves or having an auto repair shop fix their car is what type of auto parts they’ll be using. There are basically two types of auto parts that can be used to fix a car, and they both will be explained, as well as the pros and cons of using each type of auto part.

The first type of auto part that comes to mind when repairing one’s car is OEM auto parts. The term “OEM” stands for “original equipment manufacturer,” and this means that OEM auto parts come directly from the company that made the car in the first place. In other words, if a person’s Chevrolet Cavalier were to fail because of the alternator or starter then an OEM alternator or starter could be purchased in order to repair the car. The benefit of buying original equipment manufacturer auto parts is the fact that there will generally be a warranty on the part that is bought. In addition, one is usually guaranteed that the part will work and fit the car on the first try.

A downside to ordering OEM auto parts is the fact that they are generally much more expensive that other types of auto parts. Whereas other auto parts may be around $50, the same auto parts that are bought from the OEM may be as much as $150. The price makes all the difference, too, when repairing your car, so it may not necessarily behoove you to purchase OEM auto parts.

On the other hand, the other type of auto parts that can be purchased when repairing a car is after-market auto parts, or auto parts that are made for the same automobile by third-parties. These automobile parts are generally much easier to run into, and more auto repair shops and retail stores generally carry after-market auto parts as opposed to OEM auto parts. That is one of the big advantages to buying those types of auto parts, but another is that they are much less expensive than OEM auto parts. This was touched on in the last paragraph about OEM parts, but after-market automobile parts are generally 50% or more less than the original manufacturer’s auto parts.

All things considered, it is really up to the person and the situation when the car is being repaired. Many people choose OEM auto parts just because they are the safest type of parts to go with, but arguments for third-party auto parts are because they are much cheaper are more accessible. All in all, though, there are all sorts of options and decisions to make when looking for auto parts to fix your car!

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Auto Repair

Get Good Auto Repair Tips Here With A Very Informative Article!

TIP! Invest in a quality battery charger and always keep it in your car. Dead batteries are a common occurrence and you’d be able to aid other drivers who have broken down.

When your car needs repairs, you may not know how to proceed. You should learn more about auto repair if you don’t know much about the topic. Keep reading to discover some auto repair tips that can really help you out of a jam.

TIP! Ensure you regularly inspect your radiator. Warm up your car a little, shut if back off and pop the hood.

Keeping a good battery charger in your vehicle is always a wise choice to avoid being stranded. Having a dead battery can leave you stranded in some pretty terrible places. Find out where to connect the charger to your car.

TIP! Do not give your keys to your mechanic before knowing more about the cost of the repairs. If you don’t understand something, ask questions until you do.

Check the radiator regularly. Let the car idle for a short period first, but only long enough to let the fluid circulate. Never open the radiator on a running car. Use a dipstick to gauge how much radiator fluid you have, keeping in mind that most types need to be diluted with water.

TIP! Get referrals to find a great auto mechanic. Ask the people you know for their recommendations.

Before giving your car keys to the service department, make sure you know what the cost for the repair will be. If you don’t understand something, make sure to clarify it first. You don’t want to get the car back, only to be shocked at how much the repairs cost you.

TIP! Every time your car is repaired, no matter why it is, keep a record of the repair. If you experience future problems with your vehicle, this past record will help the mechanic in diagnosing the problems.

Referrals are your best best when searching for a trustworthy mechanic. Ask the people you know for their recommendations. This gives you the opportunity to find out about costs and the overall quality you can expect. You can use their experiences to determine whether a mechanic is honest or not.

TIP! Beware of mechanics who do unneeded repairs on the car. A good mechanic should let you know if they noticed parts that are starting to get worn down and will need to be replaced soon but they should not replace the part without your approval.

If you’re headlights are giving off dull light, they may just be dirty. Greasy residue from a road can deposit on them sometimes and that dirt can reduce the light they’re putting out. Use a quality glass cleaning product and improve the situation dramatically.

TIP! Never leave any valuables in your car when it is getting repaired. The mechanic might need to clean out the car before performing repair work, and your personal items could be lost.

You should not let car problems to cause you stress or to make rushed decisions. When you are uneducated on auto repairs, you may confused on what to do to get your car repaired properly. Hopefully, the above article has provided you with a lot of useful advice to assist you whenever issues arise.

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Auto Repair

Where to Find Auto Parts in Your City

Where to Find Auto Parts in Your City

If your car needs repairs then chances are that you have taken it to one of the main auto repair shops around your city or state before. In fact, there are probably more auto repair shops in one city than their are auto parts stores. This is all par for the course, however, if one needs to make their own car repairs or wants to, auto parts definitely need to be found. If you are having a hard time trying to find the auto parts that you need then there should be plenty of stores in your area that will allow you to get the repairs that need to be done on your car. Here are some suggestions of retail stores to try if you are trying to find some auto parts:

NAPA

The NAPA store has long been a popular auto parts store that people have been able to visit in order to buy the auto parts that they need. There are plenty of these types of stores around. In fact, this is a chain auto parts store that is located not only in each State, but also outside of the United States as well. While at NAPA, one is able to get the exact auto parts that is needed in order to make the repairs to an automobile. Furthermore, the NAPA Company also has auto repair shops sprinkled throughout the country as well. For example, there is a NAPA AutoCare Center, NAPA Collision Center, as well as a NAPA Truck Center. There is usually a NAPA auto parts store wherever there is a NAPA store of any kind, but one cal always call just in case. Furthermore, NAPA also has an online store where one can purchase auto parts from them and have them shipped immediately through a UPS service.

AutoZone

Another chain auto parts store that is very popular is AutoZone. AutoZone is also a store that has an auto parts retail store in virtually every place around the United States, but they do differ from NAPA in a slightly different way. Whereas NAPA traditionally stocks auto parts for many cars and that’s about it, AutoZone has a whole selection of other different automobile products in their stores. For example, self-contained batteries can be purchased, heavy-duty flashlights, along with a whole plethora of other products made for automobiles. AutoZone is one of those household names that is always spoken of and can be trusted to obtain the correct and best auto parts from.

Auto Repair Shops

One place that you may not have thought to ask is an auto repair shop. Believe it or not, auto repair shops do have connections when they want to purchase auto parts for various repair projects. They are usually more than willing to extend this service to the customers, but there is usually a service-fee that goes along with it.

All of these ideas are great if you are looking for auto parts in your area. Chances are that you should be able to find the correct auto parts that you’re looking for and should have no trouble by using some of the retail stores and suggestions listed above!

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Auto Repair

Helpful Auto Repair Tips You Will Appreciate

TIP! Keep an eye on your radiator levels. Let the car run briefly, shut the engine, then open the hood.

You should have a general understanding of how a car works when a problem arises. A big investment like a car needs to be accompanied with some basic knowledge. Read these tips to help you face the next problem your car develops, and see that the repair is done right.

TIP! Referrals can be helpful for finding an auto mechanic. Ask the people you know for their recommendations.

Ask all the questions you have at the shop. Center your questions around the current problems and the precautions that you can take to prevent these problems from recurring. Preventing issues can save you a lot of money.

TIP! Take the mechanic for a drive before getting your car repaired. Many people don’t take this crucial step and wind up plagued by the same issue that brought them to the shop in the first place.

You do not have to call a mechanic every time you are having car trouble. There are many things you can fix easily. If you wish to take a shot at it yourself, get online and see if you’re able to figure out what’s going on. If the job is not complicated, make the repairs yourself to save money.

TIP! Have you noticed that your headlights aren’t shining very brightly? If so, ensure you are cleaning them regularly. Sometimes, dirt from the road transfers over to your lights dim them.

When visiting a repair shop, be mindful of warning signs that the shop is not a good one. If you have trouble getting a straight answer out of them, (or if, even worse, they refuse to answer questions to your satisfaction) they probably aren’t the kind of people you want to work with. It’s best to feel that you trust your repair person, so don’t hesitate to move on.

Basic Tools

TIP! Put together an auto repair kit and keep it in your car. These tools should include a tire changing kit, which comes in most cars.

Make a DIY kit to store in the trunk to help you in times of need. Basic tools that should be included are tire changing tools. You need to purchase a lug wrench and a jack if you do not have them. Basic tools such as screw drivers, wrenches, socket wrenches, torque wrench and other basic tools are also handy to have. Don’t waste your money on bad quality tools. Get high quality tools that will be able to withstand the test of time.

TIP! Pay attention to the condition of your car’s wiper blades. If your windshield wipers are not cleaning your windshield probably or if they make a lot of noise, you need to replace them.

You should feel more confident when dealing with a vehicle repair issue now. These tips will help you feel better when you have an issue with your car. Keep these tips in mind when you see a potential problem occurring.

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Auto Repair

The Danger of Buying Used Auto Parts

The Danger of Buying Used Auto Parts

When it comes to looking for automobile parts, there are plenty of ways in which a person can arrive at the parts that they need. However, some of the ways are authentic and clean cut. But on the other hand, some of the ways that auto parts are obtained are downright dangerous. One example of this is buying used auto parts from a junk yard, salvage yard, or auto repair shop. All of these places usually sell used auto parts that can be used for various things when repairing your car. What’s even more scary, though, is the fact that automobile shops generally put used auto parts in a car that’s going to be repaired, too, just in order to save the auto repair place a little bit of money. But here are some of the dangers of buying used auto parts if you aren’t familiar with them.

1. The History

When buying anything that’s used you rarely know the history of the product. The same holds true for auto parts, unfortunately. Consider that when you purchase auto parts from a junk yard you rarely know if that part has been through an auto accident and is a good enough piece to put on your car. Even though most of the auto parts that can be obtained through a junk or salvage yard are purchased at your own risk and without a warranty, there are some major risks associated with doing so.

2. Too Unreliable

As mentioned, used auto parts can also be purchased from auto repair shops. The reality at most auto repair shops is that the used auto parts that are there are usually kept in one large pile in the back of the repair shop. If you buy a used alternator from the repair shop then how would you know if it’ll last? It is very possible that the auto parts that are purchased from a repair shop are no good, or else if they are halfway decent auto parts they may just break down the next week. The auto parts that can be obtained through an auto repair shop or a salvage yard are just too unreliable to justify buying. Of course, you may very well be offered a refund or exchange if this were to happen, but the best thing would be to stay away from used auto parts altogether.

3. Getting Ripped Off

Another possibility, and perhaps the greatest one, is the fact that you are always able to be ripped off when buying used auto parts. Even if you don’t buy the used auto parts through a repair shop or a junk yard, if you do buy used auto parts through a private dealer then you always run the risk of getting downright ripped off. What is even more discomforting is the fact that you may never even be able to get a hold of the person ever again, too.

In the end, it really doesn’t matter whether or not the part really does work or not. The fact of the matter is that buying used auto parts is just downright risky and dangerous. Even though millions of people engage in this practice daily, used auto parts should be discouraged!

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Auto Repair

The Auto Parts You Need for a Bumper Repair

The Auto Parts You Need for a Bumper Repair

Auto repairs can definitely be costly when going to an auto repair shop. First, the auto parts are the things that will be accounted for first, but the labor of auto repair shops has not only definitely increased in recent years, but some repair shops charge outrageous prices for the services that they offer. One example of the services that auto repair shops typically do is a bumper repair job, and this job alone can cost upwards of $1,000 for the labor side of the job alone! It is much more beneficial to your finances and your car if one is able to complete the bumper repair job him or herself. If you are bound and determined to do it yourself, but have no idea where to start, this article will show you some of the much-needed auto parts to get started with a bumper repair for an automobile.

The first thing that is needed that may seem obvious is the actual bumper for the automobile itself. Chances are that, if repairing a bumper for an automobile, then only the front or rear bumper will need to be replaced. For the purpose of this article we will focus on the front bumper of an automobile. A couple of the most important auto parts for the bumper repair job, though, is the actual bumper itself, as well as the bumper grille. The prices for these kinds of auto parts can vary from place to place, but the actual bumper of an automobile will usually cost around $200 and the bumper grille will usually cost about half of that amount.

A couple of the other bumper auto parts that one will need to purchase is the bumper bracket and the bumper reinforcements. Depending on where one buys these auto parts they may not be all that expensive, but it is estimated that they will cost much less than the first two auto parts, the bumper and grille, cost. The purpose of both of these auto parts is to reinforce the bumper so that it will have some extra ‘padding’ if the automobile ever gets into a car accident.

One of the other important auto parts that one should never forget about is the emblem that usually goes on the front of the grille for the automobile. Depending on what kind of car you are repairing the emblem may or may not be on the front grille, but chances are that it is. These auto parts are very inexpensive, though, and usually only cost around $7 to $10. That is the cost of a typical Chevrolet emblem and many of their manufactured cars, such as the Chevy Cobalt, does have the emblem on the front grille of the car.

All of these auto parts are very crucial to performing your own bumper repair on the car that you own. Even though the auto parts that you buy are considerably expensive, one must take comfort in the fact that he or she is not paying for any of the labor associated with repairing the bumper. After all, do-it-yourself projects are just as good as those done by auto repair professionals at times. Furthermore, something that one should do is have the help of a trusted friend just in case anything does go wrong, but chances are that the bumper repair will be as easy as riding a bike.

There are also auto repair manuals that one can purchase that will explain the process and show the different auto parts that are needed for a bumper repair. These repair manuals, along with advice from a friend, should all help in the long run when making crucial auto repairs!