Thursday, May 30, 2013

Auto Repair Tips For Those Not Mechanically Inclined!


Every driver should have some basic understanding of auto repair. But, most people do not know anything about this subject. Luckily, the piece below includes excellent information to help keep your car in great repair.

Use an accordion file folder to contain all auto service receipts and keep this folder in your car. You can divide them by type of repair and maintenance or use a simple reverse chronology system in which you place the most recent repair receipt on top. It doesn't matter how you set up your file system since you have an accurate record of all repairs and maintenance work done on your car. This record should provide help to your auto technician when additional repairs are needed, plus it will help you if you're repairs are under warranty or if you're dissatisfied with any repair. This will be very valuable to keep in mind.

Should your repair quote run more than a couple of hundred dollars, get an estimate in writing. Written proof is helpful if you must file any complaints against your mechanic. You will also avoid extra charges when you have a written quote.

In order for you to properly learn how to recognize problems with your car, you need to have some knowledge on all of its components. If you do not know much about cars, consider taking an auto repair class. While this does require a bit of an investment, you should save money later on because you will have some idea of what is going on with your car. It will also help you diagnose issues and teach you how to perform preventative maintenance on your vehicle.


Set a specified amount for the mechanic that he can work with without your approval. Never let the repairs go ahead without your approval. Set a specific amount that they can't go over without contacting you by phone first.

Your modern vehicle is designed to warn you when an issue arises. However, you do not want to rely on them alone. You never know when the little light itself is going to have issues, so manually checking your car is always the best way to ensure everything is okay.

Car ownership means great responsibility. However, not everyone understands how to secure skilled auto repair service or to perform necessary repairs themselves. Refer back to this article so that you can keep your car running properly at all times.

Wheel Alignment in Rancho Mirage, CA

Ramona Tire & Automotive Service Centers
71491 Hwy 111 Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
(760) 773-3935
ramonatire.com

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Do You Feel Confused About Auto Repair? Read On


Nothing is worse than the feeling you get if your car breaks down on the highway. In addition to the immediate hazards, you have the hassle of finding a mechanic to fix your car. How do you select the right mechanic for your needs? Read this article for tips on finding a reliable service.

Before paying your mechanic for any work done, make sure to take it for a short test drive first, to make sure everything is working as it should. Many people fail to do this and they end up having the same problem that they had before taking the car in to get it repaired.


It is important to be aware of mechanics who make repairs that are not necessary. Your mechanic should contact you if they come across additional issues while fixing your car and get your approval before they go ahead and replace more parts. Don't return to mechanics that do unnecessary repairs.

Pay attention to any unusual sounds coming from your vehicle. The type of noise can be an indicator of what is wrong with your car. Describing the sound can help your mechanic.

If the mechanic does not want to provide you with a written cost breakdown, find someone else to do the job. If the work is done poorly, you won't be able to recover costs because there is no written proof of the contracted work.

Always ask plenty of questions when dealing with a mechanic. Go beyond price to truly understanding the work he plans to do. How long will the repair take? What exactly will he be doing to your car? How much are the parts? Ask whatever else pops into your head. This shows you know a little and would like to know more, and it helps you deal with future issues.

Use rubber mats in the winter to safeguard your carpet. This will keep the heavy salts, mud and ice from ruining the car's carpet. These are necessary during winter and rainy seasons.

Wash off your floor mats when you wash your car. Bits of dirt get ground into the rubber and can cause a tear over time. Holes are certainly unattractive, but can also lead to damage to the underlying carpet as well.

Finding a reliable auto repair company is not easy. When you have the right information, auto repair isn't all that hard after all. Asking the right questions and understanding red flags is key. Keep this information in mind, and use it whenever you experience car trouble.

Auto Service Center in Moreno Valley, CA

Ramona Tire & Automotive Service Centers
12275 Heacock Street Moreno Valley, CA 92557
(951) 924-9797
ramonatire.com

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Auto Repair Is Simple With These Great Tips


Have you ever wanted to do your own auto repair? While the thought may be daunting, the sense of accomplishment is rewarding. You keep your car going, and you save money as well. Read on to learn how to do basic car repairs in your own driveway.


Decide whether you'd like to have your car serviced by an independent garage or your dealership. While a dealer may charge more, their technicians specialize in the make and model of your particular vehicle. Independent garages are cheaper, but you could hire a company that's dishonest.

If you're experiencing a major problem with your brand new car, call the manufacturer immediately. There may be others having the same issues and it may require a recall from the manufacturer. Generally, a manufacturer will bear the cost of your repair.

When it comes to the shop you patronize, be consistent. Choose a trustworthy shop and stick with them. Shops do not all give you the same diagnosis of your vehicle's problems. They may also charge you different amount, resulting in you paying more for your repairs.



Look for the AAA logo if you need a reliable mechanic. Joining them can help you when you need a deal at a body shop or a tow truck. Also, they often have discounts that can save you money.

There's no reason why simple maintenance, such as topping off engine oil or adding windshield wiper fluid, can't be done on your own. Do not assume you need to hire a mechanic to do this because you have no experience with maintaining your vehicle. Figure out what you should be doing at first, but allow yourself to get things done on your own.

Request OEM parts. These are original components from the manufacturer. While generic could be a cheaper option, you don't know how they will perform in the future. What could be a good deal in the present won't always be the best thing to for you later, so try using OEM parts when you're able to.

If you plan to take your car to the shop, do not leave anything inside the car. They will likely be taken out and may be lost. Empty both the trunk and glove compartment.

Don't be scared of repairing your vehicle yourself. It is just confusing because you do not understand how the car exactly works. Keep the above information handy and revisit it as necessary. Many auto repairs can be made by taking advantage of these tips.

Oil Change in Indio, CA


Ramona Tire & Automotive Service Centers
42150 Jackson Street Indio, CA 92203
(760) 347-8045
ramonatire.com

Saturday, May 18, 2013

Auto Repair Tips - Getting Your Automobile Back On The Road


Every car owner understands the stress involved with auto repair. 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. Both of these are a pain in the neck, but this article can ease the pain a bit.

Think about snapping some photos of your entire car prior to bringing it in for repairs somewhere. While most shops would never strip your vehicle, some do this to increase their income. Therefore, documenting your vehicle can help you identify stolen items in case this were to happen to you.

There are some sketchy mechanics that will take your tires and put old ones on your car. They profit from your oblivion. Before going in, chalk tires in order to mark them. If the chalk isn't there, you've been taken advantage of.

Some vocational schools offer cheap repairs to those on a budget. You don't have to pay quite as much if you just let some students do some work on your vehicle while a mechanic looks on.

Don't let a mechanic talk you into getting your car's engine flushed when it doesn't need it. This is a pricy process that isn't necessary unless you've done things to harm your engine like not changing the oil regularly.

Do not believe claims that any auto part will last for a lifetime. Most of the time this is just a way for them to get their hands on more of your money. For instance, some cars have "lifetime" transmission fluid. It does not last a lifetime and has to be changed every 80k miles.

Not many people look at their car's manual. But, reading it can give you a lot of helpful information. This little book holds a lot of information about your vehicle.



Many times people take their vehicle in to be repaired, and when they return to pick it up they are told about additional issues. Some shops use this tactic to try and get you to spend more money. Let them know you will be in touch, and look around for a better deal.

If your brakes are having issues and you try to correct the problem, always bleed them before you start the car back up again. After this, pump the fluid in the brakes. Check for leaks. You should then be ready for test driving on a road that lacks tons of traffic. Go slowly at first until you're certain your repair has been made properly.

Your vehicle can be repaired more easily with the right amount of knowledge. These tips can really help when you need a better auto repair experience. Everyone can benefit from a positive experience.

Auto Service Center in San Jacinto, CA


Ramona Tire & Automotive Service Centers
2247 S. San Jacinto Ave. San Jacinto, CA 92581
(951) 925-5117
ramonatire.com

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Learn Everything You Need To Know About Car Repairs


When a car breaks down, the owner sometimes is petrified of having to repair it. Knowledge is the key to getting quality work done on your car. Read on to learn valuable tips on how to secure quality repairs so your car is running again as good as new.

You don't always have to call a mechanic when your car is giving your problems. Some repairs are easy to make. If you feel confident, you can get on the Internet and research to discover the problem. It's not too hard to do, and you'll be able to get money saved back to start repairing things.



Ask the tech if they've done work on your model and make of car before. If they have experience with your type of car, they are more likely able to correctly diagnose and fix the problems your vehicle is having.

Keeping your car washed will help prevent rust. Cars are all destined to rust, but the process can be slowed by keeping salt and chemicals away from the paint whenever you can. Use a decent wax for protecting paint jobs as much as you can.

It is a good idea to use referrals to find a decent mechanic. Get recommendations from family and friends. These people will be able to provide you with the price, quality, and overall satisfaction of the mechanic. People will let you know if their experiences were good or bad and how honest the auto repair shop was with them.

Thoroughly review your car manual. You need to know the basics about your car prior to visiting with a mechanic. You may even discover how to solve your car problems yourself.

Make sure that you have car records on file. It's a good idea to place them in the vehicle you drive just in case you're in need of repairs while you're out and about. The people repairing your automobile are going to need to look over these records. They can help them diagnose the issue a lot quicker.


Whenever you have your vehicle repaired, ensure you maintain an adequate record, regardless of the reason why you are having repairs. When another issue crops up, this record will allow you to provide the history to the mechanic. These records will make identifying issues much easier to diagnose and will save you time and money.

Car trouble is something that every owner gets frustrated about. However, knowing crucial information on how to obtain qualified repairs can alleviate most of your worries. Keep the above information close at hand, and you will have what it takes to tackle any issue that may arise.

Oil Change in Riverside, CA


Ramona Tire & Automotive Service Centers
3255 Van Buren Blvd. Riverside, CA 92503
(951) 785-8590
ramonatire.com

Monday, May 6, 2013

Automobile Repair Tips And Advice You Can Use Now


If you own a car, you know how annoying car troubles are. You'll waste precious time or money on mechanic repairs or self repairs. There are downsides to each method, but auto repair will be a better experience after reading this article.

Before allowing an auto shop to do repairs to your vehicle, ensure you are aware of the total cost. When you're not sure, ask until you feel clear. Being hit with additional fees is something that you don't want to be surprised with.


Look for online reviews of different local auto shops. This can give you a good idea about how the public feels and what experience you might have yourself. This information can then be used to get with a shop that makes you comfortable.

Before you pay for repairs, take the car out for a spin to make sure things are working as they should. If you don't, you may find that you paid for nothing.

Pay attention to any unusual sounds coming from your vehicle. Noise is something that can indicate a problem if you know what to listen for. If you are able to tell the mechanic about the sounds, you may save lots of money through rapid diagnosis of the issue.

Never allow your car to be worked on without a written estimate. If mistakes are made, you may not be able to recover the damages since you do not have a contract on the work he did.

Ask your mechanic a lot of questions. Don't limit your questions to the price of repairs, ask about the details of what the work involves. How long are the repairs going to take? What kind of work is being done? Find out how much the new parts cost. Make any other inquiries you can think of. That proves to them that you know what you're talking about.

Use rubber mats in your car during the winter so your carpet is better protected. This is the best way to protect your interior from slush, salt and mud. These mats are necessary if you live in an area where winters are very cold.

Auto repair may not always be a picnic, but there are things you can do to make your auto repair go a lot smoother. The information provided here will help make your auto repair experience better. You and your vehicle will benefit from it.

Wheel Alignment in Hemet, CA


Ramona Tire & Automotive Service Centers
2350 W. Menlo Ave. Hemet, CA 92545
(951) 925-6650
ramonatire.com

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Car Repair Advice: What To Do With A Broke Down Car


Have you thought about what you can do to deal with things when they start to happen to your vehicle? Have you thought about doing labor and repairs yourself? It is also important to learn more about auto repairs so you can find a reliable mechanic. Continue reading to understand your options.

Look for signs that should serve as a warning that your repair man is no good. If they beat around the bush and act shifty, they may not be the one you want to work with. Having a mechanic you can trust is extremely important; don't waste your time with one who can't make you confident in his skills.

Try to learn the problem before you take your vehicle to a mechanic. You can save a ton of cash via diagnosing the issue yourself, and you could prevent fraud. As you've probably heard, there are some mechanics that like to lie about issues to make some more money.

Find a mechanic who has experience with the make and model you drive. While most vehicles are made in similar ways, a lot of the time things are fairly different under the hood. If you don't know, pay extra to get the dealer to repair it.

Keep a spare tire and jack handy at all times. New cars often come with a kit you can use to change a tire. You will have to spend a lot to get your car towed if you cannot change the tire right away. You can save a lot of money by performing tasks yourself.


Keep a repair kit in the car at all times. You should have basic tools such as equipment to change a tire, fix a flat, add oil and a gallon of water. A lug wrench and a jack are essential. You should have a Phillips and flat head screwdriver and several types of wrenches. Cheap tools are not worth your money. Instead, buy better quality, sturdy tools that will not break when you need them to repair something.

If the repairs your car needs are major, get several quotes before hiring a mechanic. Even though mechanics are trustworthy in general, you could still wind up paying for more than you should. Try and locate a shop that specializes in servicing your particular type of car. These repair shops are better equipped to understand and repair any problem your car has.

Don't lose hope about repairing your car. Take the time to educate yourself about the basic of car ownership so that you will have the knowledge when the time comes to need it. Now, you should see how you're able to do these things quickly so you're not without a vehicle for too long.

Wheel Alignment in Ontario, CA


Ramona Tire & Automotive Service Centers
2451 S. Euclid Ave. Ontario, CA 91761
(909) 986-5262
ramonatire.com