Save Money By Learning How to Do These 10 Auto Repairs Yourself
The average American household spends about $817 a year on car repairs, according to Liberty Mutual. More complicated repair needs like buying a new timing belt or starter replacement can cost you even more. Every car owner knows that buying and maintaining a car isn’t a one-time cost, even if you don’t plan on costly procedures like shipping your car internationally.
Repairs are needed to keep your vehicle running smoothly, and you can’t avoid the on-going cost. Here are some auto repairs you can learn to do yourself to reduce your expenses:
Change Your Air Filter
Your car needs a new air filter every 12,000 miles or every 12 months, whichever comes first. This is one of the easiest maintenance tasks you can do yourself. Look for a large plastic housing under the hood, usually along one side. If you can’t see it, check your car owner’s manual.
Open the air filter casing and take note of which way the filter faces, then pull it out and insert the new filter for your car make and model. Remember to close the clips of the housing once you’re done.
Regular Oil Change / Oil Filter Replacement
Many parts of your car engine rely on clean oil to function efficiently. Invest in an oil change every 3000-5000 miles, and top it up regularly to keep your car running smoothly and prevent damage. Before you change your oil, let the car engine cool down.
Follow your car owner’s manual to learn how to change the oil and replace the filter. Start by jacking up your car, then locate the oil pan, unscrew the drain plug, and drain the old oil into your oil pan. Replace the drain plug. After that, remove the old oil filter, lubricate the rubber gasket on your new oil filter, and fill it with new oil.
Screw in your new oil filter, then fill the engine with new oil. Use a dipstick to double-check your levels. Changing your car’s engine oil may be a bit more complicated and dirty than other repairs, but it saves you a lot of money down the line. Remember that your day-to-day usage will determine how often to change the oil.
Windshield Wipers
While most auto parts stores offer free windshield wiper installations, they probably offer you their most expensive blades. You can easily save money by changing your wipers yourself once a year. The process of setting up new wipers differs from car to car, so make sure to refer to your owner’s manual. The packaging for new blades often provides a set of instructions.
Radiator Flush
Your vehicle’s radiator and cooling system should be well maintained to ensure they work efficiently. With time, the radiator builds up deposits that could easily disrupt the cooling system. Doing a radiator flush is a quick and affordable step you can take to keep your cooling system running smoothly. Again, this should only be done when your car is completely cool, and ensure that each step is done as per the owner’s manual.
Battery Maintenance and Replacement
Maintaining a good battery connection is vital to keeping your car running smoothly. Just a few specks of residue on the battery terminals could cause starting problems. Do a regular visual check on the battery so you know when it needs to be cleaned. You’ll need to remove the terminals, starting with the negative cable first, then clean the posts. Dry the posts and replace the terminals. If your battery has lasted a few years and is causing frequent problems, replace it.
Fuel Filter Replacement
Fuel filters start getting old at 10,000 miles. Check regularly to ensure that they’re still working well. Dirty filters are a common problem and often reduce performance. To repair your fuel filters, disconnect the battery and fuel line pressure from the filter, remove the filter, replace the washers and install the new filter as per the instructions provided in your owner’s manual.
Spark Plugs
Spark plugs will have to be changed when the metal on the electrodes gets damaged by oxidation. To fix your spark plugs, remove the ignition wires from your old plugs by using a socket wrench, then install your new spark plugs. Use an appropriate grease to coat the inside of the ignition wires so you can protect your plugs from electrical problems.
Following a strict car maintenance routine is important to avoid any unexpected breakdown. Your brake pads should be replaced at least every 20,000 miles. For drivers who do a lot of stop-and-go city driving, regular replacement is especially necessary. Safety is the most important factor here, and correct installation is key. If you feel unsure or are new to DIY repairs, let a mechanic do it.
Replace Your Headlight Bulbs
Check for burnt out headlights that need to be replaced. Changing them is easy for cars without sealed beam headlights. What matters most is getting the right bulb for your car – check your owner’s manual for specifics. After that, you’ll need a Phillips screwdriver and some alcohol wipes. Locate the headlight holder under the hood, remove the power wires, remove the old bulb, and then clean and install the new bulb.
Plug Your Tires
You can even plug your own tires inexpensively. With as little as $5, you can buy tire plugs to repair a flat tire or other small tire damages. Before plugging a leak, locate its source. If it’s in the sidewall, don’t plug it, as it could result in a blowout. Once you locate the puncture, mark it, remove the nail or screw, ream out the hole, thread out the plug tool, and plug the hole. There are many tire plug kits available to help you do this repair.
Conclusion
This list of DIY repairs to save you money doesn’t end here. You can easily slash these ten auto expenses, potentially saving yourself thousands of dollars over your car’s lifetime. You can learn a new skill every day, like learning how to replace your gas struts or keeping your headers and exhaust pipes cool with exhaust wrap. Just make sure you know when not to do a repair yourself and when to seek professional expertise.
Author Bio:
Jordan McDowell is a self-taught DIY auto enthusiast and a regular blog contributor for Lift Supports Depot, a retail auto parts business. When he’s not fixing his cars and sharing tips with readers, he spends his time exploring the great outdoors of California.
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