10 Tips To DIY Your Car Maintenance

Introduction

Car ownership doesn’t just stop after you purchase your car, it also includes many of the more pesky details such as having to maintain it, send it for servicing, and even pay for gas refills and oil changes. Don’t worry if what you are concerned about is the costs relating to maintenance of your car, for example, you can get affordable car mats at simplycarmats.co.uk we have also curated some tips for you to help lower your maintenance costs.

1. Make sure to top up your windshield washer fluid

A key aspect that makes sure you are a safe driver is having unobstructed visibility. To make sure that your windshield can be kept clean, washer fluid is key as it can clean off precipitation, dirt, and grime. Sounds difficult? Well, it couldn’t be simpler! All you have to do is to buy some washer fluid from your local automotive shop, open your bonnet and look for the relevant compartment to refill. In certain car models, the compartment will be labeled with a windshield icon that is colored, making it easier to spot.

2. Change your windshield wipers

Other than just the windshield fluid, it is also important to occasionally change your windshield wipers. Swapping out the old wipers is easy as they clip into place. To release the clasp, there’s usually a button at the side that can be pushed. Other models of wipers may have a hook that can slide onto the casing. Either way, the windshield wipers are relatively easy to change, so change them when they don’t seem to be effective at wiping anymore.

3. Check your motor oil level

Another component critical to the performance of your car is the engine oil. Unless you drive an electric car or a modern BMW, there should be no excuse for you not to check it given how easy the check is to be done.

Ensure that your car is on a flat and level surface, waiting a few minutes after you’ve parked to allow the oil to drain back into the pan lest you get a false reading. Once a few minutes have passed, remove the dipstick and wipe it clean with a rag or tissue before sticking it back into the tube where you removed it from. Remove it once again and if the oil level is between the minimum and maximum markers, then all is well.

It is not the case here that having more oil is better, as there may be problems that arise such as aeration of oil. Neither is too little oil acceptable since that means your vehicle parts will not be lubricated. Instead, ensure that your oil level falls within the minimum and maximum range.

4. Top up your oil level where needed

If your motor oil level is low, then you must fill it up at the earliest possible. Earlier, it was mentioned that too much or too little oil means trouble for your car. To prevent overfilling, add in the oil a little at a time. A general rule of thumb is around four to five quarts, though this varies with the make and model of your car. To be sure, refer to the owner’s manual for accuracy.

5. Do regular checks on your tire pressure

Tires are what make your car run, and they mustn’t be over or underinflated. When doing the check, make sure that your gauge seats well with no air leaking out the sides— often a reason leading to inaccurate readings. Barring unique circumstances, the pressure should be maintained at what is recommended by your dealer. Again, you may refer to the owner’s manual for the exact pressure needed for your tires.

6. Learn how to change out flat tires

As a driver, it is good to know how to change out flat tires in case it happens while you are in a difficult-to-reach area or are far away from your local automotive shop. Many older cars have temporary spares found in the car boot, though this is becoming less commonplace with newer cars where they have been replaced by space-saving emergency inflation kits.

Another point to note would be that learning how to change out flat tires also means that you know how to rotate your tires. This should be done whenever you can, as the wear and tear on the front and rear tires are unequal. By rotating the tires, you help to prolong the lifespan of tires.

7. Learn how to jump-start your vehicle

In case your battery goes flat, it is good to know how to jump-start your vehicle rather than just wait around for a tow truck. This may be slightly harder than the previous list items, given that you need to have a set of cables, a fully-charged vehicle nearby (or a portable battery source), and some knowledge on how to start the process.

When jumpstarting any vehicle, the most critical thing is NOT to mix up the leads. A positive lead should connect to another positive one, and the same goes for negative leads. It would be disastrous if they were wrongly connected. To prevent this from happening, it might be helpful to remember that red is positive and black is negative.

8. Replace your air filters

Fresh air is as necessary to your life as it is to your vehicle’s engine and overall lifespan. Without it, internal combustion cannot occur properly, which will affect your vehicle’s performance. It is hence important to check your air filter regularly to ensure that it isn’t clogged with dirt and debris, which build up over time.

Though it varies from one car model to another, the air filter can usually be found under a large rectangular housing. To access the filter, simply pop off any screws or clips holding the housing in place. When doing the replacement, be sure to orient the new filter the same way as the old one to ensure that it works at maximum efficiency.

Conclusion

Having read this concise list, you’re now all ready to save some money and DIY your car maintenance!

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Published: 30-May-2022

Author: Jake Hughes

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