One great way to save money in these perpetually troubled times is to learn how to perform some basic car repairs by yourself. After you finish reading this article, you will know how to perform a few safe and easy ways to perform basic car repairs and regular or annual maintenance. These repairs require nothing more than the tools that can be found in a standard toolbox. You should also strongly consider slicing the cost of insurance to reduce the amount you spend on maintaining your automobile.
Change of Oil Your owner’s manual will tell you how often this needs to be done as well as what kind of oil to use and how much. Remember, each time you change your oil it’s important to change the oil filter as well. Make sure to get the right filter for your make and model or your car could be seriously damaged. Besides your basic toolbox, you will need an oil-tight container to catch the oil as it flows out of your car.
Air Filter Change Replacing your air filter is quite easy and can be accomplished quickly. The air filter can be spotted immediately when you open the hood of your car as it is usually either directly on top of the motor or a little to one side. It is shaped like a metal and paper ring and looks like a giant donut. It is secured in place by a series of clamps that are very easy to unsnap.
Your air filter should usually be changed every fifteen to twenty thousand miles – less if your area is particularly dusty. Before snapping in the new filter, make sure to clean around the inside of the holding case.
Battery Replacement Slightly more challenging, replacing a dead battery can be done by the average car owner but eye protection should be worn in case of sparks and the instructions in your car’s manual should be explicitly followed. It is generally a pretty straightforward operation – replacing a dead battery usually involves unscrewing the connections from the old battery, taking it out, placing in the new battery, then screwing the connections back in. In certain car models the battery can be a little bit difficult to get to but it can usually be accessed by any determined person with an adjustable wrench.
Windshield Wiper Replacement This is a particularly important operation in rain-ravaged areas. Windshield wipers should be replaced about once every year to ensure a clear, safe view in harsh weather conditions. You will probably only need to throw out the old rubber wiper blade, attaching a new one onto the wiper assembly. Make sure you purchase wiper blades that are the correct size and make for your type of vehicle.
Headlight Bulb Replacement A headlight bulb can easily be replaced if you just refer to the owner’s manual. Make sure that the lens is off and throwing the old bulb in the garbage before throwing on a pair of gloves to insert the new bulb. Bulbs can be damaged by skin oils, so make sure your fingers are not touching it. To avoid the risk of getting shocked by electricity when replacing the headlight bulb, it is recommended for some types of vehicles that the battery be disconnected in the first place.
Insurance rates for your vehicle may vary among different insurance providers. You can easily acquire cheap insurance if you shop online and compare rates from a comparison service website.