3 Basic Car Fixes You Can Do Yourself

Image by Ryan Doka from Pixabay

Almost everyone drives a car nowadays. For some of us, it’s almost impossible to live without it. However, due to the fact that a car is, in fact, a rather complicated machine that consists of many components, it can sometimes break down. A visit to a mechanic is not only a waste of time but also money. Sometimes minor faults can result in a high repair bill. You don’t have to be a mechanic to deal with these five maintenance jobs. 

Change battery

Incredible, many drivers go to a mechanic to replace the battery. Meanwhile, it is a simple operation that takes a few minutes, if we only have the right tools. We should bear in mind that sometimes in new cars equipped with many electronic devices, a visit to a mechanic will be unforgettable. However, in most cases, we can replace the battery ourselves. An average battery will last about 5 years. So let’s do the exchange earlier. You will need a basic set of wrenches. First, remove any covers from the battery. Disconnect the negative cable and move the clamp away. Do the same with positive cable. Now, replace the old battery with the new one and reconnect the cable clamps.

Replace fuses

Many faults that seem serious at first glance are caused by a blown fuse. The fuses in the car have a protective function. They protect the electrical installation against damage. They are responsible for the lights, the fuel pump, the cooling system etc. A blown fuse can effectively disable our car. When a circuit does not work, the first thing we should check is the condition of the fuse responsible for it. Usually we can find the fuse box in the engine compartment and in the passenger’s compartment. It all depends on the make and model of the car. Imgvehicle.com is here to help – we can find fuse locations and diagrams of almost all car brands and models there. Once the fuse responsible for a particular system is located, remove it and check that it has not blown. If there is – replace it, making sure to use it with the correct amperage. If the fault is gone – voila! You just saved a lot of money!

Replace air filter

The air filter is responsible for cleaning the air from dust and other contaminants that go to the engine. Car manufacturers recommend replacing the air filter approximately every 15,000 to 30,000 km. Replacing the air filter is one of the simplest maintenance activities. First, locate the filter housing, which is usually on the side of the engine in the engine compartment. When removing the housing, be careful not to break the locks or screws. The filter is often made of light-colored material, which allows you to judge how dirty it is. If the filter is not too dirty, you can use a vacuum cleaner to clean it, or shake it gently. After removing the old filter, carefully clean the housing with a damp cloth. After cleaning, put on a new filter and close the housing.

Conclusion

There are many more maintenance activities we can do ourselves. On the Internet, we can find countless guides on how to maintain your car by yourself. Sometimes it’s worth taking the time and saving some money by doing it yourself. It’s obvious – complicated repairs cannot be done without a visit to a mechanic, but simple repairs can be carried out by (almost) everyone!