repairs and maintenance
DIY

Repairs and Maintenance Every Car Owner Should Know

When it comes to owning a vehicle, there’s more to it than just knowing how to drive. You need to know how to maintain it and keep it repaired – at least to a certain degree. While your mechanic will take care of most issues of car maintenance, there are a few areas that you should be able to handle on your own. Keep reading to learn the repairs and maintenance skills every car owner should know. 

Check tire pressure

One of the easiest and most important aspects of car maintenance is taking care of your tires. If they are underinflated, it can lead to a blowout or flat tire. You can check tire pressure at home, which can help you save time and money on costly repairs.

Buy a tire gauge and test the pressure on all four tires. Put air in if the pressure is lower than what is listed on the side of the tire. If you continue to need to refill the same tire, you should take it to your mechanic to have the tire checked for leaks.

Replace the air filter

In older vehicles and some newer models, the air filter sits right on top under the hood. You can remove the cover and notice if it is dirty. Sometimes, you can clean it, but in other instances, it may need to be replaced. All you need to do is provide the information about your vehicle to the auto parts store, and they will help you find the right air filter for your model.

When the air filter is dirty, it reduces the amount of airflow that can get in. The engine must work harder to power the vehicle.

Check fluid levels

Check your oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, and windshield washer fluid on a regular basis. When the oil gets low, it can cause damage to your engine. With older models, you may need to add a quart occasionally to keep it full. If you need to add oil often or you notice the oil is low on a newer model, you need to schedule service and have the vehicle checked for leaks.

Many newer models have closed systems, which means you won’t be able to check those fluids. However, you should still look at the other fluids that you can access to ensure everything is at the correct level. This is one of the easiest car repairs and maintenance tasks to cover on your own. 

Replace windshield wipers

If you notice the wipers starting to drag across the windshield or you hear a squeaking sound, it may mean the wiper blades need to be replaced. This is generally a simple procedure where you take the wiper out of the track and slip the new blade into the track.

You can get guidance from a car repair manual for the make and model you own or look it up online. If your wipers are more complex, schedule service and have the service technicians replace them.

Change a flat tire

One of the most important tasks you can learn for your vehicle is how to change a tire. A flat tire seldom happens when it’s convenient. Instead, you’ll leave work late one night to find a tire flat in the parking lot. Or you’ll carry bags of groceries out from the store only to discover you won’t be going anywhere for a while.

Even though you may belong to an auto club that will change flat tires, you could end up sitting and waiting for an hour or longer for help to arrive. If you’re able to change your own tire, you can be on your way in 15 or 20 minutes.

Change a car battery

Your battery is only going to last for 3 to 5 years before it stops powering your vehicle. You can save a lot of time and money if you know how to change the battery on your own.

All you need to do is remove the cover and disconnect the negative cables from the battery. Remove the clamp from the battery post, disconnect the positive cable and remove that clamp. Replace the old battery with the new one and reconnect in the opposite order.

While it’s best to leave most of the car repairs and maintenance to the experts, it’s helpful to know the basics. Besides helping you avoid being stranded, understanding how your car works can allow you to be better informed when you take it to the pros for repair. 

 

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Joyce Morse Farinella
Hello! My name’s Joyce Morse Farinella and I’m a full-time writer who loves to research interesting and strange topics and explain them to others. I also enjoy hanging out with my daughter and being a foster parent. I love to travel and hang out at home, getting writing inspiration from both."

    2 Comments

    1. I do all of this, At Least I know I am doing something right with my car. 🙂

    2. This was a good article to read as it was helpful to find out what should be checked on my vehicle. I’m not the greatest at keeping up with the maintenance of my vehicle, but after reading this article I will try to be better. I would hate to get a flat tire while driving and be stuck on the side of the road.

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