Owning a car can be a lot of work. However, if you are up to the challenge, this work can be valuable and quite worthwhile. After all, effective maintenance of your vehicle can greatly extend its value.
Of course, auto maintenance is an incredibly specific field of knowledge, typically requiring highly specialized skills and experience. And that is usually the reason most people entrust a mechanic to repair or maintain their vehicle. From oil changes to alignment issues to engine troubles, professional automechanics are often the answer to common automobile problems.
But did you know that you can probably perform many simple maintenance tasks with minimal mechanical knowledge? Thanks to the internet, you could perform many of these repairs yourself. Some are easy to do at home and some may require a little time to learn.
Auto Care You Should Do Yourself
For example, it is recommended that you change your oil every 3,000 miles or every 3 months, whichever happens first. Of course, this is a flexible guideline but if you want to maximize your engine’s lifespan it is best to stick as close to this as possible. Changing your own oil is actually not that difficult, you can probably do it yourself.
Similarly, you should change your radiator fluid (antifreeze/coolant) roughly every 24,000 to 36,000 miles. This translates, approximately, to once every 24 to 36 months. Obviously, some manufacturers may recommend shorter or longer intervals. This is also something that you can do at home with minimal knowledge and tools.
Other things you can do yourself include changing the air and fuel filters as well as replacing minor electrical components like headlights and the dome light.
Of course, there are several maintenance tasks your car may require that you could do yourself, but only if you are up to the challenge. Replacing your brake pads, for example, can be a little more complicated than changing your oil. This is actually not that difficult but might require a few more specialized tools and a little more of a time commitment. If you can get your hands on CrossDrilledRotors.ca brake kits, though, it might improve your efficiency just a bit.
Other things you could attempt—with little risk of damage—include rotating your tires and inspecting and changing your engine’s timing and serpentine belts.
