Auto Repair Basics: What You Should Know
Having car problems can be scary. After all, an unexpected automobile malfunction can throw a major wrench in your ability to keep up with all of your adult responsibilities, especially if you don’t have a transportation back-up plan. When something goes wrong with your car, you can either take it to an auto repair shop, or attempt to fix the problem yourself. While it’s likely that you won’t have the tools, equipment, knowledge, skill set, or patience to handle major car repairs without the help of a professional, there are a number of simple auto repairs that you should be able to tackle on your own. You just need to start with a basic understanding of how automobiles work, how they are put together, and what is most likely to go wrong, at what times. Here is what you should know, as far as auto repair basics are concerned:
Regular maintenance. You can prevent unnecessary automobile malfunctions just by taking proper care of your car. Check your owner’s manual to find out when you need to get oil changes, tune ups, timing belt replacements, and more. Be loyal to the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule, and your car will be loyal to you.
Know the systems of your automobile. Just as your body has systems that must work together for your overall functioning, your car has systems that work together in much the same way. While it is not necessary that you learn every part of every system (although that’s not a bad idea), you need to at least familiarize yourself with the systems so that you can identify from where your auto problem is originating. The systems of an automobile are: fuel system, ignition system, cooling system, intake system, drive train, engine, braking system, and electrical system, among others. To learn more about your car’s specifics, purchase (or rent) a Chilton or Hayne’s book for your make and model.
OBD diagnostics. Your vehicle’s on board diagnostics (OBD) feature is basically a computerized system, running throughout your car, that identifies where problems are. Any time you are experiencing auto troubles, or a mysterious warning light comes up on your dashboard, you can take your car in to a mechanic, have your car “plugged in” to a computer that communicates with its OBD, and get a reliable, accurate diagnosis of the problem, right from the horse’s mouth.
If you decide that your auto repairs are too much for you to handle, you will need to find the right auto repair shop for you. If you want quality service from a name you can trust, then you should put your auto repairs into the hands of experienced professionals like us, Paul’s Alignment Brake Repair. We can be reached by phone, at 812-283-7740, or email: .