5 Things to Know Before You Call Your Car Mechanic

Unless you are a car buff or work on your own car dealing with a mechanic can be intimidating. Mechanics can be thought of in the same light as a lawyer. We have all heard stories of someone being ripped off by one.

Here are a few suggestions on what you should know before you call a mechanic or take your car in to have it looked at.

1. Usually the first question you are asked is what kind of car is it. You should know the Year, Make, Model and Engine size of your car. Some of this information can be found on the title of your car. The engine size can usually be found right on the engine. There is also a sticker inside the hood. Knowing this basic information can give you a small measure of respect from your mechanic.

2. Do you know your tire size. This information can be found on the side of your tire. There are three sets of numbers, an example is, 205/75/15. Also found on the side of your tire is how much air pressure your tire requires, an example is, 32 psi. If you know the air pressure of your tires you appear to have some knowledge of the maintenance of your car.

3. If you have something leaking, knowing what kind of fluid it is to help them diagnose the problem. A brownish fluid leaking out would likely be an oil leak. Green or orange fluid would show a coolant leak. Reddish colored fluid would be a transmission leak. You can look under the hood of your car to see where your fluids go.

4. Odors coming from your car tell a lot about what is going on with it. The smell of burning rubber can show a problem with your brakes or possibly an electrical problem. A sweet smell and steam coming from under the hood shows you probably have a coolant leak. A smell of sulfur or rotten eggs is likely to be an exhaust problem.

5. As you drive it each day get to know the sounds of your car. If you hear a rattle, a whine, or a knocking noise? Where is the noise coming from? The front, back, underneath, on the left, right? Does it happen when you turn a corner, when braking, at a certain speed? This information can be a great help in diagnosing your vehicles problem.

By knowing more about your car before you talk to a mechanic can help you in getting treated properly as well as help them make the correct diagnoses the first time. These 5 suggestions will help you do that.