Do you want to do DIY work on your car? Here’s what you need to do so you can do repairs on your car correctly and actually save money.
If you want a skill that is rewarding and can save you a bit of cash, you might want to get started working on your car. It has an easy learning curve depending on your skill, and there are plenty of resources out there to get started. It gives you more familiarity with your car and it can get you out of emergency situations. Also, doing car wash on your own also upgrades your profile and overall well being.
It is a bragging right itself. Doing car repair is valuable yourself and others. Aside from saving you money, doing car maintenance yourself makes you smarter so you can prevent getting overcharged by sleazy mechanics or dealerships. This article applies to new and used car owners.
But how do you get started? This article is especially useful to those who have zero experience of working on cars. It is not right to say that you will not see a mechanic anymore, but you will learn how to do easy jobs yourself.
Research and Read Your Car’s Manual
Most car owners don’t realise that their car manuals can reveal a lot of things about their rides. Read it from time to time as it contains complete information about your car, including important maintenance schedules, and all the accessories and gizmos. You ever wondered what those buttons in your dashboard are for? Check the car’s manual to easily find out.
It is a wealth of info specific to your car. It has important information such as dashboard lights (such lights are not the same on all cars, take note), warranty information, and lifespan of replaceable parts. Some car manuals even have instructions on specific tasks such as oil changes, coolant checks, and other basic stuff. You might even be surprised to find a hidden feature that you don’t know of. If you car happen to don’t have an instructional manual, find it online.
Another thing to look out for are technical service bulletins (TSBs) specific to your car. TSBs are instructions issued by automakers to mechanics for unanticipated problems. Almost all cars get issued or are covered with TSBs at some point, including older models. Be on top by putting your car make and name on Google and search for TSBs.
Learn to wash and detail your car
Washing grime off the car is hard work and may not look glamorous, but doing it on your own is an easy way to get started on car repair. You will become more familiar with your car with all its curves and components. Also, it is easier to work on a clean car. You can easily find a lot of information on YouTube, and you don’t need to have a lot of equipment to get started.
Also, washing your car is a great way to exercise. We encourage physical activity at Silver Athletes, and speaking, we have a nice article that might interest you.
Skills to get started
Now let’s dive to the higher skills you should learn. Learn to check the engine oil levels, coolant, brake and clutch fluid levels; in most makes, these fluids are accessible and easy to check. Also, it is very easy to check the thickness of your brake pads as well as locate and change engine air filter and the cabin air filters. Professional mechanics charges hundreds of dollars to do these jobs, yet they are incredibly easy for a car owner to do.
The more important parts to work on include checking and replacing the serpentine belt or drive belts, hoses, brake lines, tires, and car batteries. Repairs can be costly if any of these components become broken as they have a limited lifespan. These are replaceable and easy to work on, so do it to increase your home mechanic skills.
If you already knew the mentioned skills, it is good to take your knowledge to another level. That includes inspecting and cleaning the throttle body, changing headlights, changing fluids including the engine oil, coolant, brake fluids, and the automatic transmission fluid. In emergencies, changing a tire, jump start, and towing a car properly is very useful.
If you own your car for some time, you are probably familiar with its usual noises and the its behaviour when it moves, stops, or turns. Tune your ear and listen to new car noises or changes in your car’s performance, which could indicate that something is not working right in your car.
Have Your Own Box of Tools
Any handyman, or an aspiring one, should own his own set of tools. Get a decent set of spanners, screwdrivers, and sockets. An important, must-have tool is an OBD scanner, which checks your car for problem codes. Do have a complete set of tools needed to wash your car at home so your car will look great to match your awesome wardrobe. Do you really want your fresh vibe be spoiled by driving a dingy, dirty car?
For a mechanically-inclined person, working on your car is the perfect way to get started. Learning to work on your own car is the next step towards owning it. Tinkering on your car is a great way to spend the weekend. Being a DIY mechanic is a skill that saves you money and gives an opportunity to learn a valuable and a probable lifesaving skill that you will find useful on the trickiest of situations. Learn it and you will have a well-maintained car that is reliable, efficient, and low on running costs.