Anyone who owns a car knows how much of a pain auto repair can be. You either have to spend an arm and a leg on a mechanic, or take time out of your busy schedule to do the repairs yourself. Self repair and mechanic repairs can be a pain, but the experience can be improved with this article.

Do not be afraid to ask lots of questions whenever you take your vehicle to the auto shop. You should ask things specific to the problem that has arisen and how you can take preventive action going forward. Preventing automotive issues is a valuable skill to save money during the year.

If you hear a squealing sound when you step on your brakes, it is likely that you need new brake pads or rotors. Do not wait to have a mechanic check your brakes. There will be more damage to pay for and it is also dangerous to drive your car if your brakes are not functioning properly.

Do not assume you have been ripped-off by your mechanic because of the high price of your bill. Some parts are very expensive to replace, including engines, transmission systems or dashboard computers. You should ask your mechanic about the cost of the parts he had to put in your car.

It is a good idea to add an injector cleaner to the fuel you put into your gas tank regularly. You will get better gas mileage if the fuel injectors in your cars engine are kept clean. Adding enough cleaner to treat a full tank once a month is usually enough to improve your mileage a little.

Check and make sure that your mechanic is familiar with working on your type of car. There can be a lot of differences between vehicles, even though the base components are similar. If you don't think the shop you are going to really knows what they are doing, take your car to the dealer instead.

Pay attention to any fluids that pool under you car when parked. Small spots may not mean very much, but take note of what the fluid is. Plain water is usually just condensation that builds up on a car naturally. But bright green or orange fluid is the cooling system. Oily fluids are those like engine oil, or transmission fluid. These are warning signs.

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.

You should always pay attention to the way your car smells. An unpleasant smell is usually caused by a leak or an electrical short. It is best not to drive your car and find a mechanic who can come inspect it to determine what is causing the strong smell.

While repairing your automobile can be stressful, you can do things to make the process go much more smoothly. These tips can really help when you need a better auto repair experience. You will not be disappointed.