Car Repair You Can do yourself to Save Money

Car fixtures can drain your pocketbook really fast. But then again, there are several car repair tips you can do yourself, regardless of your experience or technical skills.

Once you know how to use a wrench, you can easily fix anything from brake pads to alternators or changing car oil and filter.

Wondering how to start out? Keep reading for our step by step guidelines that’ll definitely help you in identifying and fixing the common issues with your car.

1 – Fixing the air pressure issue of your tires

We’ve all faced the situation when the moment we turn on our car, a small alarm rings to remind us that its tire pressure is on the lower side. If you’ve reached this stage and are completely clueless about what to do, fret not! We’ve got you covered!

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Use a tire pressure gauge to check the pressure of your tire.
2. Once you find the pressure low, remove the valve caps of your tires to fill them up with air.
3. Keep your car really close to the compressor so that you can easily reach out to the four tires.
4. Now, place the air hose’s nozzle on your tire’s valve and start pressing down air as you push the level of inflation.
5. Stop when you’ve reached the tire pressure recommended for your car.

2 – Replacing the brake pads of your car

Brakes are one of the most integral parts of your car. So you should definitely get it replaced when you find it wobbly or malfunctioning. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Begin by removing your wheels and its sider bolts. You can do this by jacking up your car.
2. Now, remove the bottom bolts to pivot your caliper. Once you do this, you will be able to check the friction material. If this material is less than one eighth of an inch, consider replacing the brake pads.
3. After pivoting the caliper, you will be easily able to replace the old brakes from their place.
4. Now slowly apply grease to slide your new brake pads.
5. After the brake pads take their position, push the pistons back on your caliper.
6. Slowly pivot the caliper in its original position after which you can remount the tire by replacing the bolts.
7. Now that you’ve fixed the new brake pads, test-drive your car to check if everything is fine.

This simple trick will help you to save money and also get your car working right away.

3 – Replacing the spark plugs of your car

Spark plugs are an essential part of your car, which can wear down over the time. But replacing spark plugs is incredibly simple and this is another easy car repair that you can do at home.

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Locate the spark plugs in your car. You will find them once you put your hood up. The plugs will be at the end of the wires which you’ll find after putting the hood up.
2. Grip your wire plug to the bottom to remove your first spark plug. Once you get a proper grip, pull it out from the engine. Now use the extension on the wrench and back it up with the ratchet to pull the spark plug from its original position.
3. Now check your car manual to understand the best distance between your gap checker and the spark plug gap. In case the gap distance is higher than recommended, it is time to get your plugs changed.
4. Use a wire brush to get the wire connections cleaned. Now, you will have a good and clean port for putting your plugs.
5. Take your ratchet and replace the old plugs with the new one. Tighten them properly.
6. Finally team the plug cables with your plugs and you’re finally done.
7. Replacing the hoses and other additional parts of your car

If you often notice a pool of greenish or yellowish liquid on the floor, right after you’ve parked, there is a high possibility that your car has a leak. This colored liquid on the floor is the antifreeze, and if the damage is relatively smaller it is comes from a crack on any of your exterior hose.

This issue is common and can be easily fixed at home. All you need to do is open your hood and look for the same liquid from either your hose or a plastic piece. Do not touch it, because it is going to be really hot. Now, once you identify the leak, it can be easily fixed.

Wondering how to start out?

Well, begin by unclamping your leaking hose after which you can put a new one in its place. Follow this by reinstalling the clamp. The entire process is as simple as attaching an added accessory to your vacuum.

In case you cannot find the leak, it might be near your radiator. For this, however, you might have to take the car to a car shop. Do not tamper with it unnecessarily as it might affect the overall performance of your car.

4 – Replacing the headlights of your car

If you use your car regularly, there is a high possibility that you’ve experienced issues with broken headlights once in a while. So how to get this sorted? Well, simply follow these steps to get this issue sorted.

1. Begin by choosing a good replacement bulb.
2. Now properly read the instructions of your car’s manual to remove the housing and the house screws.
3. Follow this by turning the socket quarter counterclockwise. This will automatically unlock the socket and help you to pull the bulb out. Clean the bulb and the socket properly.
4. Now replace the old bulb with the new one and gently screw it along the socket.
5. Follow this by replacing both the bulb and the socket in the housing.
6. Switch your headlights on. It will definitely work.

Conclusion

So now that you’re well aware of the car repair you can do, try them out for proper and well-functioning cars. These money management tips are also incredibly easy to follow. Try each of the guidelines properly to enjoy glitch free performance from your favorite vehicles.