If you own a car, there are a number of simple, do-it-yourself maintenance and repair jobs that you can handle yourself—you’ll not only save money, you’ll also save time taking your vehicle into the shop.
Even people who aren’t mechanically inclined can tackle these simple repairs. When done regularly, many of these maintenance jobs can actually prevent more serious breakdowns.
Replace the Air Filter
You should get a new air filter approximately every 12,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first. But instead of paying a mechanic to do a job that costs about $10 and takes about 10 minutes, you can change your air filter at home without any tools. All you have to do is open the hood of your car and find the air filter. It will be located in a black box, typically with metal clips. If you don’t spot it right away, check your owner’s manual. Open the box using the clips, and take note of how the air filter is positioned inside, including which way it faces. Next, remove the air filter and insert the new one. Finally, replace the metal clips around the air filter casing.
Replace the Wiper Blades
Replacing you windshield wiper blades is another quick and easy project you can tackle at home. Keep in mind that wiper blades will need to be replaced after six months to a year of use. Though wiper blades can differ from one vehicle to another, the process of changing them is fairly simple. All you have to do is lift and remove the old blades, paying attention to how they connect to the metal arms. Next, connect the new wipers, making sure they are well-aligned, secure, and tight.
Replace the Oil Filters
The oil in your car needs to be changed fairly frequently, between 3,000 and 5,000 miles. Luckily, changing the oil requires little in the way of tools, costs around $20 if you do it yourself, and only takes between 30 and 45 minutes. Start by finding the oil pan beneath the car. Then unscrew the drain plug. From there, drain the remaining oil into the pan, replacing the drain plug after. Now, look at your engine. Take out the old oil filter using an oil filter wrench. Use motor oil to lube the rubber gasket for the new oil filter, and fill the filter approximately two-thirds full with oil. Now, screw in the new filter, using only your hand to tighten it. Use a funnel to fill the engine with some brand new oil, then test the level with a dip-stick. You’re ready to dispose of the old oil filter.
Check the Spark Plugs
Your spark plugs should be replaced after approximately 30,000 miles, but this can vary from car to car. Changing spark plugs generally takes about 20 to 30 minutes and costs between $10 and $15. Start by locating your spark plugs. They’re usually attached to relatively thick, rubber wires. Your car will have between four and eight plugs according to the number of cylinders it has. Never remove all of the spark plug wires at once. Start by removing the first spark plug wire, and then use a socket and ratchet extension to remove the plug. Next, install the new plug, first screwing it in with your hand and then using a wrench. Do not make it too tight. Finally, re-attach the wire and repeat the process for each spark plug. Make sure to do them one at a time.
Check the Battery
Checking your battery is another easy maintenance project that can help you avoid a dead battery. Open up your hood and locate your battery. A visual check can help you to identify any specks of a white, hard residue that can stop your car from starting. If you don’t see anything, your battery is fine. But if you do, you will need to use corrosion-removal fluid to clean the battery posts.