Few things are worse than your vehicle suddenly stalling and sputtering out on you as you are traveling down the road. It puts you in immediate danger and adds a lot of hassle to your life. How do you go about finding a good mechanic? The article below can help.

Check out your mechanic to see if he is A.S.E. certified before allowing him to do any work on your vehicle. An ASE certification means your mechanic has a minimum of two years' experience in auto repairs. This certification also requires that he or she passes a written test. That way, you can have the best mechanics working on your car.

Check out reviews about body shops online. This will tell you everything you need to know about the shop. This information can be used to locate an auto repair shop that you feel is well suited to your needs.

Make sure that you have car records on file. Put these records in the glove compartment in your car for easy access. The auto mechanic can look at the records. This will help to diagnose any problems.

Always keep a record of any maintenance done to your car. When another issue crops up, this record will allow you to provide the history to the mechanic. Without records, you might have to pay higher costs due to taking longer to find the problem.

You should have basic tools in your car at all times. Basic tools that should be included are tire changing tools. If you don't have a jack and lug wrench, get one. Then have a screwdriver kit, socket wrench kit, ratchet set, torque wrench and adjustable wrench, too. Never skimp when buying tools. Invest in high-quality tools that you will own forever.

Make sure to study your owners manual. During auto repair visits, your mechanic will probably need to gather some information from you, about your vehicle. Also, reading the manual may help you realize that the repair you need, can be done easily by you.

Before seeking out a mechanic, learn about car parts' standard classifications. Know the difference between