9 Easy Vehicle Maintenance And Repairs You Can Do Yourself
Maintaining a car takes a lot of effort, time, and money. But you can save your money by doing your car repairs yourself. Though car maintenance and some repairs seem challenging at first, if you start with basic repairs and small workups, you can be a mechanic of your car. Doing DIY car repairs can be a huge help for your pocket and all you need is to learn some things about your car, have some tools at hand, and do some search. Here are 9 tips you can use for car owner manuals at home. Let’s have a look.
Replacing wiper blades
Wiper blades are essential parts as they help you drive safely in bad weather. If they are broken or not working properly, it could put you in a dangerous situation. It is easy to tell when your car’s windshield wipers need to be changed. Replacing them is not a difficult task. All you need to do is to unfasten the old blades, have a strong grip on the wiper arm, and then secure the new blade in place without using any specific tool.
Changing air filters
Engine air filters keep debris out of your engine, while cabin air filters prevent your air conditioning system from accumulating filth. If you don’t change your engine’s air filter, it will become clogged, causing your engine to get hot and run inefficiently. And if the situation gets worse, the motor of your car could get burnt. After every 30,000 miles of running, you must replace the air filter. It is simple to change the air filter. It entails unscrewing the filter box, taking out the old filter, and putting in the new one. Changing the cabin filter of your car also undergoes a similar procedure.
Touching up the paint
For minor scratches and chipping in automotive paint, there is a simple DIY cure. The few small areas of chipped paint produced by road rocks can be touched up. If there is no major damage, you can fix the coat of paint at home without paying the cost to a professional. Do-it-yourself kits for fixing car paints are available at any automotive supply store. It’s simple to fix cracked car paint. All you need to have is touch-up paint, a fine tip paint applicator, and a wax and grease eraser. Leave the chip to dry after cleaning it with the wax and grease solution. Then apply the paint with the applicator onto the chip. And don’t apply again and again.
Fixing dents
There are several ways to remove a minor dent or knock from a vehicle at home without damaging the paint or spending a high price on a professional. All you have to do first is to sand the dent until the metal shows through. Then use wax and grease remover to clean the dents. Then, to cover in the sandpaper scrapes, prepare the body filler and apply a very thin coat. Let the filling set before adding additional layers of no more than 1/4-inch thickness per layer. let it sit and dry completely before applying paint onto it.
Fixing torn leather
Although leather vehicle seat repair may appear to be a job best left to the professionals, don’t overlook the DIY choices available to you. If you tear a hole in your car’s leather seat, don’t be startled. With a leather repair kit, you can fix it yourself at home. The repair takes approximately an hour. All you have to do is match the color of your car leather seat to the proper color mix. Begin by attaching the leather fabric to the ripped leather. Then, to match your fabric color, mix the filler and paste it to the tear. Next, apply a textured sheet on top of the wet filler that resembles the texture of leather. Press it with a cloth iron and leave it to set and dry.
Cleaning your car
Cleaning your car is the best solution to prevent damage. If you don’t want to spend extra on regular car service, you can leave it for DIY cleaning at home. Wash your car once every month, and use a toothbrush for cleaning the holes for cleaning the narrow opening inside your car, other cleaning tasks you can do is to:
- Vacuum the inside of your car properly
- Clean the carpets inside your car
- Clean the seats properly and condition them using a condition solution
- Wash the windows
Take care of each part of your car while cleaning.
Changing engine coolant
Engine coolant keeps your engine from burning. Approximately every 20,000 miles, you should replace your coolant. You’ll only need an air compressor and hose, a 4-in-1 screwdriver, and a spanner to complete this task. Check the temperature levels before refilling your coolant. Make sure the engine is cool before proceeding, check the coolant levels, and make sure the coolant liquid is clean. If you notice rust floating in the liquid, or if the liquid appears to be extremely dark, it’s time to call a professional for fixing it.
Battery replacement
The procedure for replacing the battery is straightforward. If you don’t replace your battery after a certain amount of time, it may cease working, leaving you stranded on the road or forcing you to drag your car home. Simply remove the cables, connect the replacement battery, then reconnect the connections correctly to replace the battery.
Tire puncture repair
Tire maintenance is an important aspect of keeping your car free from defects and improper functioning. Maintained tires ensure your vehicle’s safety, fuel efficiency, and overall functioning of your car. It is critical to check the tire pressure after every 2 to 3 days. Checking your car’s tire pressure does not demand any professional skills. All you need to have is a gauge. If you see any fluctuation in the pressure, it means your tire may be punctured. You can fix that puncture with the help of a small puncture kit. With these easy car repairs at home, you can save your money and long and time-consuming trips to the mechanic.