Nowadays, it is not unusual for car owners to do their own maintenance. Daunting as it may seem, the benefits outweigh the risks for it helps you save time and money. Moreover, it does not require textbook knowledge to perfect it. Here are easy DIY car maintenance tips you can handle:
Car Fuses
You may wonder why your headlights and stereo suddenly got busted. It is because your fuse needs a replacement.
The main function of fuses is they protect your car from damage through modulating the current flow. When an overload is detected by the fuse, it immediately breaks the circuit to cut the power supply to any fuse-connected electrical component.
Here are the steps on how to replace your car fuse.
1. Take a run through your owner’s manual and find the location of the fuse box. Commonly, this can be found either below the steering wheel or in the glove department.
2. Remove the blown fuse and swap in the new one.
You can buy fuses at any auto part stores and do the replacement yourself. It’s easy and will only take a few minutes. But if your car frequently blows fuses, you might want to consult an auto-mechanic.
Car Washing
Car wash cost may seem cheap and affordable. However, in the end, it can aggregate into a large amount, which might be more useful for some other financial obligations.
If you have a hose, bucket, soap, washing mitts, microfiber towel, and wax, you can do the washing on your own. Spending money on supplies is a sort of investment for you will be able to recoup the costs after some cleanings.
Windshield Wiper Blades
Windshield wiper blades will wear out due to long-term use. The absence of these wiper blades will make transportation difficult, especially during the rainy season. Luckily, these accessories can be replaced in just a few minutes.
Auto mechanics suggest changing wiper blades twice a year. This is because the constant change in weather conditions can eventually wear them out.
Changing the Oil
Changing the car’s engine oil can be a difficult task. You can save money by doing it yourself. But beforehand, you will need the correct parts and materials. These will include the oil and oil filter, floor jack, socket and oil filter wrench, and a drain pan. If you don’t have a floor jack, you can purchase one at the floor jack center.
It must be noted that failing to change the engine oil may pose problems later on. However, this may depend on the automobile’s manufacturer because some vehicles may not require an oil change for every 3,000 miles.
While this may entail spending less money and time with a mechanic, it does not mean that this part of the maintenance can be skipped. If the engine oil gets too old, it will lead to breaking down which can cause sludge deposits on your engine and damaged parts.
Therefore, it is highly recommended to change oil regularly so as to maximize your engine’s lifespan.
Air Filter
To prevent abrasive particulate from going into your engine’s cylinder, you will need an air filter. Follow the steps below to prevent mechanical wear and oil contamination in your engine.
1. Open your hood and locate your car’s air filter. It is typically housed in a black case with two metal clips on each side.
2. Open the case and look at the condition of the current filter. This will give you an easier time putting in the new filter.
3. Remove the current or old filter. Make sure that nothing falls into the bottom of the filter.
4. Install the new filter. Afterward, close the case and secure it through the metal clips.
Battery Connection
To ensure safety and foster productivity, you must regularly check your battery connection. This will only take about 20 minutes through these four easy steps:
1. Remove the battery cables first. Take note that you must start with the negative cable.
2. Clean the posts by using a corrosion removal fluid, which is an ordinary mixture of baking soda and water, and a wire brush.
3. Use the wire brush to clean the battery terminals.
4. Rinse the removal fluid with water and wipe the posts dry with a rag.
5. Finally, reinstall your battery terminals by starting with the positive one.
Conclusion
As mentioned above, you should not fret whenever you are confronted with car problems since there are easy DIY car maintenance tips you can handle. Changing oil and wiper blades, checking your battery connection, and replacing your car fuses are some of the things that you can do on your own.
Do not hesitate to open your owner’s manual and browse through it or consult your mechanic for further guidance. Remember, resourcefulness is the key to successful do-it-yourself maintenance. Through it, you can learn new things, save money, time and energy, and most of all, bolster your vehicle’s longevity and preserve its efficiency.