Educate Yourself Before Going in for Car Repair

One of the problems many vehicle owners have is the fact that they simply do not know enough about their vehicles and engines to know if the mechanic is telling them the truth. When yours comes to you saying that you need to replace your EGR valve, do you have any idea what that is, let alone if it really needs to be replaced? Do yourself a favor before you go in for car repair, and use the Internet to research some things for yourself.

First, research the "symptoms" your vehicle is experiencing, to see what the potential problems will be. If you are hearing a clunking noise in the rear brakes, and your mechanic is telling you to replace your transmission, you may want to get a second opinion. By looking online for a while to see what the potential repairs will be, you will be better equipped for your visit to the shop.

As you are researching online, take the time to look at pictures. You should know what the brakes and air filters look like before you visit the mechanic. This will give you the ability to know whether or not that air filter really is clogged and in need of replacement. Unscrupulous mechanics, and there are some out there, love to tell unknowledgeable auto owners that a dirty air filter or other component has to be replaced. You should know what they look like when they truly need to be replaced, and ask to see the component before you make a decision.

You can also educate yourself about the going rate for car repair in your area. This varies tremendously by geographic location, but get on the phone and call a few shops to ask for their hourly labor rate. This will give you a good gauge through which to evaluate the different options available to you. Avoid the temptation to automatically choose the cheapest mechanic, because you do want to have quality work done. Sometimes you will pay a little extra for the highest quality work.

Finally, as you are researching, make sure you are not taking your car in for a job you could do yourself. Some jobs do not require special tools or skills. If you are a modestly capable do-it-yourselfer, then you might be able to tackle a bit of car repair yourself, and skip the bill at the auto shop.

Remember, car repair comes at a price, no matter how you look at it, and you are going to want to do a little homework before you visit the mechanic to ensure that you are being told the truth about your vehicle, have not overlooked something you can do yourself, and know what a good price is in your area. You will be happy you took this time, because it will save you money and frustration throughout the car repair process. Once you have found a good mechanic, hang onto him, because they are getting harder and harder to come by.