Watching the dashboard warning lights turn on can be a sure way of ruining your day, especially when it hasn’t been too long since your last trip to the mechanic. As many of us are aware, car malfunctions are bound to happen sooner or later, and the older your car is, the bigger the chances of running into an error.
Keeping up with your car’s maintenance schedule can drastically decrease the chances of facing a mechanical issue first thing in the morning. In some cases, however, proper maintenance and care are just not enough to keep your car from any drawbacks later on.
Therefore, learning how to do basic DIY car repairs is a vital skill that can save you from a heap of trouble should you run into some problems with your vehicle. It never hurts to stay on the safe side when it comes to car trouble!
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1. Oil Change
An oil change is one of the simplest yet crucial skills you can learn to do on your own. Learning to do so can help you save on both cash and time in the long run!
Different cars have different needs. Therefore, consult your owner’s manual or look it up to know the exact volume of oil you need and what kind of oil filter to use beforehand. Wearing gloves also helps keep your hands clean in the process.
It’s a simple process that can be done quickly, just lift the car high enough, drain the oil into a container, remove the old filter and install the new one, replace the drain plug and tighten it, fill the engine with the right amount of oil, and finally, check the oil level and for any leaks just in case.
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2. Tire Change
A flat tire is something you never know when you might come across, as it can happen anywhere at any time, regardless of how well-maintained your tires are. It’s a good idea to know how to do the switch yourself should you encounter this situation.
You should note that before changing a tire, you should find a safe place to park and put on your hazard lights. Then, you should gather the necessary equipment, including a wrench, jack, wheel chock, wheel nut key, car handbook, reflective jacket, warning triangle, and tire pressure gauge.
Afterward, you should do the following steps: prepare the car, position the wheel chocks, loosen the wheel nuts, jack the car up, remove the flat tire, mount the spare wheel, tighten the bolts, lower the car, check the spare tire pressure, and take your punctured tire for repair whenever you can.
3. Brake Pad Replacement
If you’re hearing some weird noises from your car’s brakes, it might be time for a brake pad replacement. Brake pads that are too thin require replacement as soon as possible to avoid any disaster. Additionally, the front brake pads usually wear out faster than the rear ones, so they need to be replaced more often.
First. you’ll need a few tools for that, such as a lug wrench, a C-clamp or a piece of wood, and a wrench. You’ll also need new brake pads and some brake fluid.
The brake pad replacement requires removing the wheel, taking out the slider bolt, pivoting the caliper up, sliding out the old brake pads, replacing the retaining clips, sliding in the new brake pads, retracting the pistons, monitoring the brake fluid level, repositioning the caliper, reinstalling the slider bolt, and repeating the process on the other side.
Just remember to take it one side at a time and know your caliper assembly. Using graphite-based grease helps keep the new brake pads from squeaking. Once you’re done, go ahead and test drive your car under safe conditions. It’s that easy!