Crookston Times - Crookston, MN
  • Car Care: When It’s OK to Do It Yourself

  • 5 simple maintenance tasks you can tackle in your home garage
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  • For many people, car maintenance is an impossible chore. These people have no hesitation in paying a mechanic to do all the work on their vehicle. Mechanics are rarely cheap, however, and it may surprise you to discover how much money you could save with a bit of DIY car maintenance. Everybody has to start somewhere, so here are five simple maintenance tasks you can tackle at home.
    Check tire pressure. Your car runs most efficiently when the tires are inflated to the correct pressure. This ensures that the car handles effectively, which can impact your fuel efficiency. You will also save money by reducing wear on your tires, and your car will be safer to drive, too. With a basic tire pressure gauge and air pump, you can quickly and easily check and maintain the right pressure level.
    Change your own engine oil. An engine oil change may seem like a daunting prospect, but with a few simple instructions, you can easily carry out this chore yourself. Your service department or mechanic may charge you quite a lot of money for this simple task. You will find plenty of instruction guides and videos online, which will show you what to do step-by-step.
    Replace bulbs and fuses. To change a bulb or fuse in one of your headlights or taillights, you will really only need the replacement bulb or fuse and a screwdriver. Consult your owners manual for more detailed advice on what to do, but it should not be a very tricky task. This is the sort of thing that many drivers will put off, but good visibility at night is critical for you and other drivers, so keep on top of these things.
    Change the car battery. Some drivers balk at the suggestion of fixing anything under the hood, but a car battery really is quite simple to change. All you have to do is remove the negative terminal, and then the positive one. Undo any ties and then pull the battery out. Install the new battery with the reverse steps, and you are finished. Remember to dispose of the old battery responsibly, and you will have saved yourself a lot of cash.
    Fix a tire puncture. You should never assume that as soon as you have a tire puncture you must buy a new tire. As long as there is no damage to the tires sidewall, then you can quite easily fix the tire yourself. Look for a DIY puncture kit from your local auto parts store, and within no time, you should have plugged the hole. You will also have saved a lot of money.
    Car repairs can be complex and expensive, but you dont need to get your mechanic to do everything. Learning some simple tasks could save you a lot of money. Brought to you by: American Profile
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