Are you an automobile owner? If you do, it’s a certainty that you have had car troubles at some time. Finding a reliable mechanic with good prices is not easy. The following information will help you be able to make the right decisions.

You don’t want rust to attack your car so take the time to wash it on a regular basis. Cars are all destined to rust, but the process can be slowed by keeping salt and chemicals away from the paint whenever you can. Wax is also important.

Get referrals to find a great auto mechanic. See if co-workers, friends, neighbors, or family members have any recommendations. You can find out about a mechanics quality of work, their price, and overall satisfaction. They can let you know if they had a good experience and whether or not the mechanic was trustworthy and honest.

Wiper blades are a very important component to your car. If you notice your windshield wipers are not working properly, get new ones. If you live somewhere that gets rain often, think about replacing your wiper blades yearly.

You can easily fix scratches yourself. You will need to fill the scratch with a primer that corresponds to the colors of your car, apply some paint once the primer is dry and sand the entire area. Start with a fine sand paper and increase the grain progressively before waxing.

Although the dealer for your car’s make may provide the highest expertise when it comes to repair service, it may not always be the most cost effective choice. Many independent car repair shops have technicians that formerly worked at dealerships and are factory trained. You may be able to save a good amount by choosing an independent shop over the dealer, without a loss of quality.

Even if the problem you are having seems minor to you, have it looked at by a professional. Small issues can often turn into larger ones.

You should always look for a warranty when you’re working on a car problem and need a part that costs quite a bit. For any parts that you order, inquire about their warranty from the mechanic. Ask about the lentgh of time of the warranty and for a contract in writing to review it.

You need to keep track of all the repairs and transactions with your garage or dealership. If you decide to file a complaint, you will need to document what happened. Keeping these documents will also help you inform buyers about the repairs you did on the vehicle if you want to sell your car.

Do not worry if you find a puddle of water under your car. Puddles are usually caused by condensation from your air conditioning system. You should worry if you have not been using your air conditioning system or if you find puddles of water under your car on a regular basis.

Do not ignore unusual noises you hear when driving. Clunks, screeches, clicks and pings are usually caused by loose parts. Take your car to a trustworthy mechanic and describe the noise as best as you can. Your mechanic will probably replace or adjust the parts that were causing the noise.

Be sure to verify that the shop that you is properly licensed. If they are not, there is probably a reason for it, which could range from fraud to faulty repairs. Never use a shop that does not hold all of the licenses that they should in order to operate as a business.

There are many unscrupulous mechanics out there but rest assured, there are also many good ones out there as well. Use what you learned here next time you need auto repair service. A little legwork on your end can save you a lot of money.