What Can You Do For Your Car At Home?

Did the pandemic change the way you spend your time at home? Odds are there are number of habits or lifestyle changes you might have picked up during the early days of quarantine. As social calendars were put on hold, life narrowed inward. Our homes became the oasis and the entertainer all in one, giving us a new outlook on living, at least for the time being.

Fortunately, for many auto enthusiasts, this was not a problem.

While there are several pastimes and pursuits that require leaving the house, (i.e. rock climbing, dance class, and golfing) auto enthusiasts found themselves in a different position. Between washing the car at home and tackling DIY maintenance from the garage, there was plenty to do, right from the safety and comforts of home.

And sure, it’s been some time since we’ve heard the words “quarantine” and “work-from-home orders”. There is no mandate on space anymore or the need to stay away from social gatherings. However, auto enthusiasts are still showing us how the DIY from home lifestyle is done. Many are detailing the things you can do for your car through trending TikTok’s and DIY videos.

What can you do for your car at home?

Data from the United States Census confirms the number of people primarily working from home has tripled since the start of the pandemic. As a result, some drivers have found less of a use for their cars on a day-to-day basis. While this may be true, and possibly your car did need some rest, it’s still important to take proper care of your vehicle. From maintenance tasks to basic detailing, here’s our list of the top things you can do for your ride right from your driveway or garage:

1. Check the engine oil

This might seem like a no-brainer for some auto enthusiasts, but it’s fair to say this to-do item is one of the simplest and most important maintenance tasks you can perform each year. And luckily, it is one of the easiest DIY items a car owner can do from home. Checking the quality of the motor oil as well as changing out the oil when its past its prime is the best way to keep your car functioning for years to come.

2. Clean your headlights

From a safety aspect, quality headlights are imperative year-round. Because it’s highly dangerous to drive at night with dull or inefficient illumination, drivers must keep an eye on the efficacy of their bulbs, no matter how old or new a vehicle may be. A tell-tale sign that something is wrong is when a yellowish or foggy tint appears. That’s when you know you’re in need of a headlight repair kit. Or, simply try the DIY toothpaste approach.  (You can learn more about that here.)

3. Car detailing

The cost of living in 2023 is high. Why not make your life a little less expensive and try DIY car detailing? Instead of dishing out hundreds of dollars on less than satisfying car washes and detailing attempts, take the extra time to order quality products off Amazon. In most cases, when you do the job yourself, the final result is even better. Household items, like old dish rags, vacuums, and basic cleaners can also be used to keep your vehicle in tip-top shape.

Overview:

Now that we’ve covered the main three things you can do for your car at home, let’s take a look at the complete list of tasks that can be managed at any time, any where. For those who love to get their hands dirty with automotive care, consider the following DIY checklist items for a potential repair:

• Inspect belts and hoses
• Replace windshield wiper blades
• Jumpstart a dead battery
• Top up all your fluids
• Check the tire pressure
• Swap your air filter

Thanks for reading our latest DIY guide on things you can do for your car at home! If you want to learn more about maintenance and repairs, visit our DIY Archives for greatest tips and tricks for doing the job yourself.