Keeping your car up-to-date is important for both the future value and performance of your car while saving you time and money in repair costs. Even though there are some car repairs you should be entrusting to a professional mechanic, you can learn some quick fixes at home that could potentially save time and money on your car’s repairs.
Check all fluids regularly (oil, coolant, power steering and brake fluids). Make sure that this inspection takes place with the engine turned off.
Oil Change
Routine maintenance should include replacing engine oil and its filter on an ongoing basis. Clean engine oil lubricates parts to help them operate more smoothly while old, dirty oil can put extra strain on your engine that could result in costly repairs down the line.
Although this job might seem complex and daunting to you, it’s actually very straightforward and can easily be completed at home with some basic tools. A socket wrench, oil drain pan to collect any oil that drains away, funnel to pour in new engine oil and high-quality oil filter are necessary tools.
Check and tightening nuts on newly installed tires is another simple DIY car maintenance task to ensure they won’t come loose while driving, posing serious safety risks on the road.
Tire Pressure
Your vehicle’s owner’s manual or door jamb sticker should specify its recommended tire pressure; this pressure will ensure optimal tire handling, braking and operation.
Under-inflated tires cause uneven wear, reduce gas mileage, and may lead to dangerous blowouts. Regularly check and add air when necessary until reaching manufacturer-recommended pressures.
Before the temperature increases, it’s ideal to inspect tire pressure with cold tires. Remember that PSI listed on tire sidewalls represents maximum safe inflation pressure rather than what is recommended for your specific vehicle.
Wiper Blade Replacement
Wiper blades help clear away debris and moisture from your windshield to restore visibility, but over time cracked rubber and UV radiation degrade these vital blades and will require replacement.
Removing a windshield wiper arm hook and release tab (typically a lever or small latch). Pull the blade perpendicular to its arm before disconnecting it.
When purchasing replacement blades for your car, choose ones that match its make and model, ideally those from a name brand such as ANCO, Trico or Bosch that offer greater UV protection. Economy blades may suffice; however, for optimal UV protection opt for higher-quality sets from these manufacturers which tend to cost a bit more but provide longer UV protection ANCO, Trico and Bosch are popular choices that offer long lasting UV protection at an economical cost.
Oil Filter Change
Oil filters play an indispensable role in protecting engines from impurities and contaminants circulating throughout. If they go unchanged for too long, however, they can become clogged up and cause serious engine damage.
While changing oil and filter may seem like a complicated job for car owners to handle themselves, it’s actually one of the simplest DIY tasks they can complete themselves. Simply start your vehicle, let it run for several minutes to warm up its oil before jacking up the car, placing a drain pan underneath and unscrewing its plug to let the old oil drain off.
Take care to remove and install a new oil filter before lowering your car and adding fresh oil with a funnel. Be sure to use oil to lubricate the new filter gasket and tighten according to manufacturer spec for tightening purposes.
Brake Inspection
Your vehicle’s brake system is essential to stopping safely, which makes regular inspection of its components all the more essential.
At a brake inspection, professionals will carefully examine both pads and rotors to ensure there is sufficient material remaining for them to continue fulfilling their safety roles. Inspecting them for excessive wear as well as physical damage is also part of this inspection process.
Staff will inspect the caliper for signs of mechanical issues, like rusted caliper slides. After flushing out old, dark brown fluid from its reservoir using a baster, fresh brake fluid will be added back in to fill it back up again.
Technicians will open up the hood and conduct a visual inspection of the engine area, including master cylinder, power boosters, brake lines, vacuum hose and combination valve. They will look out for any leaks or damage within these components and check for leaks or cracks in them as well.
