8 DIY CAR MAINTENANCE TIPS YOU CAN HANDLE
8 DIY CAR MAINTENANCE TIPS YOU CAN HANDLE
Maintaining your car properly and regularly will allow it to perform at an optimal level for a longer period. If you don’t show it some love and care, it will start deteriorating sooner. Several people are not interested in spending on regular maintenance or checkups. But if you don’t do that, prepare yourself for bigger expenses.
Whether you are looking to sell your car or want to keep using it for long, proper maintenance and regular checks add a lot of value to your 4-wheels. There are several tips you can learn and follow to keep your vehicle in top conditions.
We have listed down the top 8 DIY maintenance tips. All of them are useful to increase the performance of your vehicle.
First, go through your vehicle manual
Most of the people completely forget about the owner’s manual that comes with the purchase of your vehicle. Whether it is a new or a used car, you need to get this manual. It will provide you clear insight into your vehicle and makes it simpler to maintain.
The manual has several how-to guides designed specifically for your vehicle. The manual will tell you about the maintenance schedule of your vehicle. It will explain when you need to change your engine oil, how to check fluid colors, and the right level for the best performance of your vehicle. It will also guide you about the type of fuel your vehicle needs.
You can also keep a schedule of your checkups as well as the ones for which you have to visit the workshop.
Changing windshield wipers
Any tools required: No
Completion time: 15 minutes
Most auto parts stores have a sale on their wiper blades and offer free-of-cost installation. But the free installation service is only available if you buy the most expensive wiper blade they have on offer. Therefore, it is better to start changing the blades on your own. After approximately 6 to 12 months you will need a new pair of wiper blades.
The setup varies a lot from one vehicle to another. So you might have to consult your manual first. But the steps involved are not too difficult even for a first-timer.
Lift your wiper blades just like you do when you wash your windshield.
Remove those old blades by emphasizing how they connect with the metal arms.
In most cases, there will be a tab on your wiper’s underside. And you have to push that tab to get it off from the arm.
Now attach the new blade and make sure you don’t bend the arms.
Line everything and ensure the safety and durability of the new blades.
Changing air filter
Any tools required: No
Completion time: 10 minutes
Your car needs a new air filter every 12000 miles or 12 months. The entire process of changing your air filter will only take about ten minutes.
Open your hood and find the air filter. It will be present in a black box with clips on each side. You can always take assistance from your owner’s manual.
Now open the casing and examine how the filter fits inside the box. Also, note which way the face of the filter goes.
Now remove the old filter and insert the new one and close the metal clips.
Changing oil and oil filter
Any tools required: Funnel, oil pan, oil filter wrench, ratchet
Completion time: 30 to 40 minutes
According to the experts, you need to change your oil every 4000 to 5000 miles. This is especially the case when you have better products and new cars. But before you begin, keep in mind not to change the oil when your engine is hot.
Allow it to cool down first and then begin with your process. Also, you will have to jack up your car safely so make sure you can handle a jack comfortably.
Locate the oil pan by getting under it.
Unscrew the plug and drain all the oil into the oil pan.
Put the drain plug back into its place.
Now go remove the old oil filter from the engine using your wrench. Be careful because the filter also has some of the old oil in it.
Now lubricate the gasket on the new piece with the help of motor oil.
Fill the new filter ⅔ with new motor oil.
Now screw in the oil filter and hand tighten it.
Fill your engine with new motor oil with the help of a funnel.
Check your oil level using a dip-stick to make sure you have put enough motor oil.
You can discard the old filter and recycle the old oil.
Maintaining battery
Any tools required: Rags, wire brush, rust-removal fluid, wrenches
Completion time: 20 minutes
A good battery connection is critical if you want your car to keep running efficiently. You just need to run a simple visual check to see when your battery needs your help.
Remove the negative battery terminal first and then the positive one. If they don’t come off, use a flathead screwdriver for prying them loose.
Clean the post using a professional cleaner. You can also use baking soda and water to clean it off.
Dry the post using a rag and replace the battery terminal.
Radiator flush
Any tools required: Funnel, coolant, rags, Philips wrench/screwdriver, coolant receptacle, radiator flush solution
Completion time: 30 minutes
As you use your vehicle, the radiator starts building up deposits that can disrupt your vehicle’s cooling system. Your manual will tell you when you need to flush it, which is usually 1 to 2 years.
Ensure your vehicle’s engine is cool.
Consult the manual and find the radiator’s plug for draining.
Unscrew the plug and drain the old coolant.
Place the plug back and remove the cap of the radiator.
Add the coolant using a funnel and fill the rest with water and put the cap back on it.
Now, turn the engine on and allow your car to get to its normal working temperature.
Turn the heater on at full and allow your vehicle to run for about 10 minutes.
Switch the car off and allow the engine to cool and drain all the radiator contents.
Refill the radiate with the fresh fluid.
Take the old coolant to your gas station for recycling.
Changing brake pads
Any tools required: Hammer, adjustable wrench, C-clamp, lug wrench.
Completion time: 30 to 60 minutes.
You must change your brake pads approximately every 20000 miles. And consult your manual to see the entire process before you begin.
Jack your car up and break the lugs on the tires to remove the wheels.
Remove the caliper and the pads will slide out. Make sure to keep the brake caliper 12-o-clock position and right above the bolts. And don't allow the caliper to hang on the front brake line. Just find a spot to secure it.
Replace the old pads with the new ones and secure them back onto their clips.
Compress your brake piston and while using the C-clamp put the end and screw it on the piston on the other end.
Tighten the clamp until you can place the caliper back over the new pads.
Now put the caliper back and put the wheel back on as well.
Changing spark plugs
Any tools required: Spark plug socket, 12-inch socket extension, socket wrench, or ratchet.
Completion time: 20 to 30 minutes.
Spark plugs need to be changed every 30,000 miles. Changing them is a simple process but you can consult your manual if you have any ambiguity.
Locate your spark plugs attached to thick rubbery wires.
The number of spark plugs depends upon the cylinders of your car engine.
Only remove the first wire using a ratchet and don’t break the order in which the plugs are installed.
Install the new one and tighten it first by hand and then by a wrench
Reconnect the rubber wire.
Changing the fuel filter
Any tools required: Eye protection, rags, wrenches (open-end), new fuel filter, fuel line washer.
Completion time: 30 minutes.
It is better to change your fuel filter every year and also consult your manual to ensure you carry out all the steps in the correct manner.
Begin by relieving the pressure on your fuel system. Find the relay or fuse of your pump by starting the engine and pull it out, your engine will die.
Now disconnect the fuel line from the filter and find the correct wrenches for the filter fittings.
When the wrenches are in place, put a rag on the fitting to make sure you cover any remaining fuel pressure from the lines.
Hold the wrench on the filter and turn the other wrench anti-clockwise and get the bolt out.
Do the same process on the other side and remove the old filter.
Change the washers which are present on the bolts and install the new filter in the same way you removed the old filter but the opposite.
Put the relay or fuse back before you start the engine.
Final thoughts
All these DIY maintenance tips are pretty simple to execute. And they will improve the performance of your vehicle tenfold. Just make sure you go through the instructions manual before you begin with the process for better guidance. Performing this maintenance work on your vehicle will allow you to save a lot against your vehicle’s expenses both in the short and long run.
Here are some more car maintenance tips you can go through to groom your cup right in the comfort of your home.