Are you taking care of your car well? The right maintenance can ensure that you have to worry less about breakdowns while driving the car for more years than you thought possible. It could be as simple as changing the tire or replacing the air filter regularly. In fact, many car owners who focus on the basics drive their vehicles for ten years or more.
You don’t need to be an automobile expert to maintain your car. Some routine jobs are so easy that hiring a mechanic is a sheer waste of money. With a few tips, you can take care of your vehicle and save trips to the local garage.
The 7 Tips to Help You With Your Car Maintenance Tasks
Here are the seven easiest DIY maintenance routines you can try.
1. Washing Your Car
We start with the simplest task of keeping your car sparkling. Washing at home not only saves you money but also helps conserve water. You can wash your car using a pipe or a bucket and do your bit to protect the environment.
- You just need your car shampoo and cleaning stuff, to start off.
- Grab a sponge or a small towel to apply soap.
- Use your garden hose or a bucket or mug to pour water.
2. Replace Air Filter
This is another easy task you can do at your home without any special tools. First, find out when you need to replace your filter. Generally, it will be the first 12,000 miles or a year, whichever is first. To replace the filter-
- Open your hood and locate the filter. You can refer to your manual.
- Open the clips on the side and observe how the old filter is fitted.
- Remove the old filter and put it in the new filer.
Close the clips.
3. Cleaning Battery Terminals
You need to keep your battery posts clean to make your car start at the first go. The job is pretty simple, and all you need are wrenches, wire brushes, and rust-cleaning liquid.
- Start by removing the battery terminals. You can use a screwdriver if they don’t come apart.
- Spray the anti-rust fluid on the posts. Use your wire brush to remove the rust.
- Let the posts dry or use a cloth to wipe them.
- Attach the battery terminals.
4. Oil Changes
You need to change your oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. Instead of paying a shop, you can do the job comfortably at your home.
- Lift your car with a jack and locate the oil drain plug underneath.
- Open the plug, put a pan beneath it, and let the oil drain. Put back the plug once done.
- Now pour the new oil through the opening on top of your engine. Use a funnel if required.
- You can recycle the old oil at any gas station.
5. Replacing Car Fuses
Your car has fuses just like your house to protect the electrical system. Naturally, you may end up with a few blown fuses from time to time. Luckily, it’s not very difficult to replace the fuses right at home.
- Use your car manual to locate the fuse box.
- You will have to check each fuse individually to find the blown ones. The job should be easy as the fuses come in transparent casings.
- Pull out the blown fuses once you locate them.
- Replace with new fuses.
6. New Wiper Blades
Your wiper blades aren’t going to last a lifetime. Depending on your use, you will have to change them once in a while. Fortunately, you don’t need a mechanic for the job.
- Lift the wipers.
- Take out the existing blades. Look for a tab below the wiper you can push.
- Do note how the blades are attached to the wiper.
- Replace with new blades matching the setting of the old one.
- Be a bit careful while handling the wipers to avoid damages.
7. Replacing Spark Plugs
Knowing how to replace spark plugs is a boon. You can easily locate them on your engine. Just get a fitting wrench for the job.
- Take the wire off from the first spark plug.
- Unscrew the spark plug using the wrench.
- Screw in the new spark plug using your hands. Use the wrench to make it tight.
- Repeat the step for each spark plug on your vehicle.
Final Thoughts
The seven DIY maintenance tips will keep your car going for a long time to come. You will also get better at the job and be able to handle more complex maintenance tasks. Not only will it save you money, but also give you more confidence knowing how an automobile works. That will be a great thing to boast about to your friends!