When you do not know how to properly care for your car, you could end up spending a lot of time and money on it. Knowing about your particular model can help you learn all kinds of tricks too. Keep reading to find out how you can save time and money down the road.

Familiarize yourself with the dashboard of your car. Your dashboard should display five different kinds of warning, including the check engine light, oil pressure warning, an alternator warning, a temperature warning and a brake warning. Learn to recognize these different lights so you can easily identify what needs your attention.

Buy a good battery charger to keep in the car. This will be very useful in case your battery dies or if you run into someone who needs help with their battery. Take a few minutes to learn how to use it properly before you get in a situation where you need to use it.

If you hear a squealing sound when you step on your brakes, it is likely that you need new brake pads or rotors. Do not wait to have a mechanic check your brakes. There will be more damage to pay for and it is also dangerous to drive your car if your brakes are not functioning properly.

If your car door and hatch locks tend to become stiff, avoid breaking your key off in the lock by lubricating them periodically with a penetrating oil spray. You can use the plastic extender that comes with the spray can to deliver oil to the interior of the locking mechanism. If you have misplaced this extender, just spray your key liberally and turn it in the stiff lock several times.

Be sure headlights are clean if they’re not shining as bright as they once did. Debris from streets can get into your lights, decreasing the light they give. Wash them with glass cleaner and you should be able to see better.

Your car owners manual is actually a valuable guide to the workings of your car. That means that you should not trash it as soon as you leave the dealer. It can tell you everything from what that light on your dash means, to how to perform basic maintenance on your particular model.

Pay attention to the condition of your car’s wiper blades. You may need new blades if they are streaking or making noises. Blades ought to be replaced annually or even more often than that in rainy regions.

Avoid attaching your car keys to a heavy key chain or detach your keys every time you drive. Your car’s ignition is simply not designed to hold all that weight, even if it may not seem that heavy to you. If you have a key that’s sticking, then you are going to have to replace your tumblers and then get rid of your fun keychains.

As you can now see, knowing auto repair basics will prove to be very beneficial. You can teach other people how to do repairs and rely on your own expertise. Use these tips and fix problems yourself only if you are comfortable enough.