Did you know you don’t need to take your car to the mechanic shop for every little problem? You can fix your car yourself! Let’s review the car maintenance you can handle on your own.
That’s right, fixing your car’s problem is easier than you think. Most people think only professional mechanics can get things done, but so can you from the comfort of your own garage. If you don’t mind getting a little grease on your hands, then you’ll want to know which jobs you can do yourself. Fixing your car yourself, instead of taking it into the shop, can save you money and time, two things you might not get back if you take your car into an auto shop. Jobs like changing your oil and replacing your air filter are surprisingly easy and doable from home.
Interested in knowing which jobs you can do from home? Even beginners can do these jobs! Keep reading to find out which ones you can do today.
Save Money and Time
There are many benefits when it comes to fixing your car yourself. This can save you money and time. Sending your car to the mechanic can be expensive, and sitting in your car at JiffyLube for hours just to get an oil change can be a tedious experience. Skip the irritating process and figure out how to do these things by yourself on your time.
Oil Change and Checking Oil
The most common maintenance issue is oil changes. While doing an oil change on your own might not save you a ton of money, it will save you a trip to the mechanics. You will want to change your oil every 3,000-5,000 miles. In short, to change your oil, you’ll want to drain your car of all the old oil, catch it in a pan to discard later, and then you’ll want to pour in your own new oil. There are more steps than this, so make sure to follow them closely.
Headlight and Taillight Bulbs
Every so often, a bulb will go out and you’ll need to replace it. Don’t go to a mechanic just to replace a bulb, they will charge you an arm and a leg for the labor. Instead, visit your closest auto supply store and buy the correct bulb. Replacing one won’t take you more than 15 minutes.
Air Filter Change
This one is super easy and will take less than 20 minutes. Having a clean air filter is important for having clean air in your car and in your engine. Old, dirty air filters can damage a car’s spark plugs, so you’ll want to replace these every 25,000 miles.
Topping Off Your Fluids: All of Them!
Like engine oil, your car has a number of fluids that need changing and topping off. This is pretty simple and easy to do. The fluids you’ll want to keep an eye on are coolant, wiper fluid, brake fluid, engine oil, and transmission fluid. Keep these fresh and your car will operate a lot smoother.
Brake Pads
Changing your own brake pads might take some time, but it will save you over $100 easily. This will take some extra tools as well as some grit, so don’t go into this one thinking it will be as easy as the other ones.
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