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. You can peform these tasks efficiently with just standard tools found in your toolbox. Cutting down the cost of insurance can greatly reduce your monthly maintenance fees for your personal vehicle.
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 Refer to your owner’s manual for the safest and quickest way to get to a dead headlight bulb. Put on a pair of gloves to insert the new bulb once the lens is off and the old bulb is in the garbage can. Make sure you don’t touch the bulb with your fingers because skin oil can damage it. Some types of cars require that you disconnect the battery before changing the headlight bulb to reduce the risk of electric shock.
Begin saving funds in your financial institution intended for rainy days up ahead. You can easily find cheap insurance if you do an online comparison of quotes from multiple insurance companies.