Learning how to take care of your car by yourself is incredibly important, especially if you’re not prepared to spend thousands of dollars on regular car maintenance. You don’t have to be a mechanic to know how to fix small issues your car might have.
Here we’ll tell you all about the best money-saving methods you can use to lower the costs of maintaining and repairing your own vehicle.
So, without any further ado, let’s get right to the bottom of it!
1. Oil changes
Oil changes can cost you an additional $500 per year if you’re not doing them by yourself. It’s something anyone can do with little guidance. We recommend you ask a mechanic friend of yours to show you the procedure before you attempt to do it yourself. Safety should be your primary concern (as sliding your body under the car can be quite dangerous if done incorrectly), so make sure you’ve done everything to keep yourself safe.
2. Check the fluid levels in your car
This one is a basic maintenance task that could save you hundreds of dollars in repairs later on. You only need your fingers to do it, but it can tell you a lot about your car’s health. Make sure you learn the „right“ ways to do it – some fluids should be checked while the car is heated up, unlike others that require a warm engine.
3. Change your own brake pads
Now, this one is a bit more complex, but it’s still something that you’ll be able to do by yourself. If you’d let a mechanic do it for you, you won’t only pay for labor, but you also won’t have any say when it comes to the choice of car parts. You can save tons of money by purchasing your own parts, especially if you’re going for used ones. As long as you find a good supplier, such as those found at usedpart.us, you’ll be able to save thousands of dollars on car repairs on a yearly basis.
4. Google and YouTube have everything you need to start repairing your own car
Besides the basic car maintenance tasks we’ve mentioned in this article, there are numerous other things you can do by yourself quite easily. Now, the most important thing is to learn how to identify the problems your car might have – and the Internet can help you do just that! All you need is to do some research, and there’s rarely anything you won’t be able to fix by yourself.
Some things are still better left in the hands of professionals
When it comes to complex car damages and issues (especially revolving around the engine), you might want to consider calling a mechanic. Learning how to fix your car takes time and effort, and sometimes you’ll run into a problem that you’re simply unable to solve. In those cases, hiring a professional is the best (and your only) option.
The bottom line
Learning how to do basic car maintenance and repairs can save you thousands of dollars in the long run. It’s something anyone can learn to do with enough research, and it’s certainly worth your time and effort.