Car repair you can do yourself to save money

Do It Yourself Car Repair: Car Repairs You Can Do Yourself To Save Money

Owning a car is not just about having a vehicle to drive and use. As a car owner, you also need to know the financial responsibilities that you need to shoulder, such as costs of repairs. Car repairs these days cost a great deal of money; thus, do it yourself car repair will undoubtedly help in economizing your money.

To avoid costly repairs, it is advised that you learn how to maintain your car appropriately so it will remain in good working condition for a long time. A well-maintained vehicle will need minimal to zero repairs at all. 

We all know that it's always a good idea to fix things on your own; it's also the same with car repair and maintenance. The biggest problem with car repair is that it's costly; you cannot get it done at a budget-friendly price. The servicing stations usually charge $60 to $70 per hour for the work. So, it's not everyone who can afford the services offered by a repair station. Therefore, people prefer to take the DIY approach.

Of course, taking a DIY approach for car maintenance and servicing can save your hard-earned money. However, if you don't have any idea what exactly you are doing, or if you fail to take the right steps, it won't give you any benefits. Every vehicle is different and so the procedure of maintenance and servicing is also different for all the different makes and models of cars.

With the families facing financial difficulties, it absolutely makes sense to look for different ways to cut unnecessary expenses which helps to save money. Car maintenance and servicing is one such area where you have the option to save money by carrying out the maintenance and servicing task on your own. More and more car owners are now taking the DIY approach when it comes to car repair.

Remember, you should only take the DIY approach for vehicle repair when you are trained or perhaps have some experience with auto repairs and maintenance; this could create problems for you in future or can also put your life in risk. While it's always one of the best ways to save your hard-earned money, performing the routine and maintenance yourself and missing the vital steps for replacement of brakes, using the wrong parts or not following the manufacture's guidelines can actually cost you a lot of money in the long run.

Car Repair You Can Do

car repair
  • Replacing Drive Belt: The drive belt is made of rubber, and it connects/loops front pulleys on the engine. Accessories such as battery charging, cooling, power steering, and wipers are usually controlled by the belt. You will know that a drive belt replacement is needed if you can hear squealing sound whenever you start the engine or upon using car accessories. Visually inspect the belt to search for wear, looseness, and cracks. If it is cracked or worn, it needs to be replaced; if it is loose, you may simply tighten it. You would need tools like screwdriver, wrench, sockets and ratchet to perform this task
  • Replacing Battery/Alternator: Replacement is needed if you see some telltale signs that the battery/alternator is not functional; such as failure to turn over when you start it, failure to power on accessories. Use a multimeter to test the alternator and battery to find out if they are dead. If any of them does not measure adequate power, then a replacement is indeed required. If you just left the lights on overnight, it can discharge the battery and would need only a jump start.
  • Replacing Brake Pads: When you step on the brakes, and you hear squalling sounds, it might mean that the pads need replacement. If instead of a squeal, you hear it grinding, then it could be the rotor that should be substituted. Rotor replacement is something that should be done by an expert, but pad replacement can simply be performed on your own. You will need a torque wrench, jack, c-clamp, tire iron and ratchets to do this.
  • Fixing Coolant Leaks: When you park your car and notice that there is a liquid pool on the ground colored yellow, orange or green, then you possibly have a car leak. It could be antifreeze that comes from holes in the exterior hoses. Put up the hood and search for the same color of the liquid in a tube or any plastic part. Once you find it, unclamp the leaking hose and replace with a new one. If there is no visible leak, the problem could be in the radiator and is best resolved by taking your car to a professional mechanic.
  • Replace Windshield Wipers: Anytime you realize that the rubber wiper is worn out or make some noise after you turn them on then it is assigned that you need to replace them. Take the wiper assembly and pull it away from the windshield after doing this you will be able to see a hinge with a tab on it then pull it out towards the hood. Then remove the blade you wish to replace, take care that the metal arm doesn’t fall on the windshield. Take the new blade and attach it on the arm and attach the blade on the desired holes on the arm to make sure they are tight and firm you can now press the arm and the blade together till you are confident that everything is in order.
  • Checking Car Oil: Always check the oil fluid since it is essential as it controls the functioning of your car's engine. Check it monthly to make sure that there’s enough oil and that it isn’t contaminated. If you find it dirty and smell gasoline it mains that you need to change your car oil. To check the oil you need to pull out the dip stick and wipe it of. Then insert it into the pipe and pull it again to see oil level and condition on the end of the dip stick.
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    Clean Your Car and Polish it: cleaning a car is one of most important thing to do. It's easy and cost efficient. Cars that kept clean for most of it life will last longer than dirty car. Also, Mythbuster discovered that the average gas mileage for the dirty car was 24 miles per gallon while the clean car performed better at 26 miles per gallon 

Conclusion

From the above DIY car repair tips now you realize the importance of car care. Even if you are not a certified car mechanic, you can still take care of the little things in your car which will surely help in keeping your car in good condition for a long time. With proper maintenance, your vehicle can give you super performance. True, car problems might persist, but if put in some effort behind taking care of your car, you will have fewer things to worry about smooth functioning of your vehicle.

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