Save Money on Minor Car Repairs





  I have spent approximately eight years of my life working as a General Motors Automotive Technician. I thank God for allowing me to gain that experience. Throughout my life, I have owned many vehicles but have never taken my car in for repairs. Although I do not work in the automotive industry today, the experience gained has paid for itself many times. I have probably saved thousands of dollars on vehicle repairs throughout the years. It most cases it is best to have your vehicle repaired by a certified technician. However, the best advice for a  "do it yourself " person is to read first and repair second. 

 Chilton DIY 

    Their are many automotive repair sources available. The Chilton repair manuals are manuals that many technicians have trusted for years. Chilton like most organizations has clanged to the World Wide Web and have provided an online resource for a do it yourself individual http://www.chiltondiy.com/. In addition to books and resources online, there are online automotive forums. The forums in most cases offer free registration and provide a platform for automotive questions. Their are some repairs that will require a visit to your automotive repair shop. However preventive maintenance can most likely be performed without you having to take your car in for repairs. Before performing any type of maintenance always consult your owner’s manuals and take all the necessary and required safety measures. Preventive maintenance checks should be conducted in three phases. The three phases are Before Starting, During Operation and After Operation.

 The before operation check should be done before starting and while the engine is cold.
The before operation check will generally consist of the following:
-Fluid Level checks (oil, transmission fluid, coolant reservoir (without opening the cap), power steering fluid, washer fluid, brake fluid and differential fluid).
-Belt(s) check. most vehicles today have a serpentine belt.
-Check for fluid drippings
-Check all tires for proper inflation (approx 35 PSI)
-Check all lights
After completion of the before checks, start the vehicle and listen for any unusual noise and smoke.
The during checks consist of the following:
-Listen for unusual noise
-Look for unusual smoke emitting from exhaust or underneath the hood.
-Verify all gauges are within normal range (generator, oil and temperature) some vehicles may have lights  
   instead of gauges.
-After allowing the vehicle to warm up drive the vehicle and observe the proper transmission shifting.
-While the vehicle is operating observe for unusual noise.
The following should be performed in the After Phase.
-Check underneath the vehicle for any leaks.
-Check the gauges for normal values.
-Check for unusual light indicators
The preventive maintenance checks is very important could be the difference between paying just a few dollars verses thousands.