An easy fix is changing the air filter. An improperly installed filter could allow dirt into the engine; some cars have fiddly latches that can break fingernails.
The first time you change your air filter, you will be amazed that repair shops and quick-lube joints charge $15 to $30 or more in labor to do it. For most cars, changing the filter is a simple matter of removing a few clips or screws, taking the old filter out, putting the new one in, then replacing the top of the filter box.
It is literally a five-minute job. That said, some cars are more complex, so check your repair manual before starting.
Note which way the old filter comes out so you don't install the new one upside-down. If the filter material is red or green, you may have a reusable filter that can be cleaned, so ask your parts dealer.
Anyone can also check the tire pressure of their vehicle without assistance from professionals. Tires are the most oft-overlooked parts of our cars.
They lose air over time and with colder temperatures. Low air pressure translates to increased fuel consumption.
Buying a digital tire gauge should only cost you $15 or less. You can get them at a tire dealer, an auto shop, or even supercenters.
Car owners should check their tires first thing in the morning before the car has been driven. Driving heats the air inside the tires and raises the pressure, giving you an inaccurate measurement.
You will find the proper inflation pressures in your owner's manual as well as on a sticker in the driver's doorjamb or behind the gas-filler flap. If one or more tires are low, refill at a gas station air pump, but don't rely on the air pump's pressure gauge; use your own.
If you overfill the tire, press the pin inside the valve to let air out. Another easy fix is changing burned-out bulbs in the head or tail lights.
Changing bulbs is a simple job, but not always a straightforward one. If you have never done this before, it's best not to proceed without instructions.
Access to the bulbs isn't always as easy as it seems, and doing it wrong could result in breaking a pricey trim piece or, worse yet, breaking the bulb and cutting yourself. Your repair manual or your owner's manual will tell you exactly what to pry, pull, push and twist.
Follow the instructions in the book and it will be a walk in the park and a huge cost savings. Changing your wiper blades is also an easy task that can be accomplished in less than five minutes.
Changing wiper blades is another one of those quick jobs that quick-lube places use to make a quick profit. Some cars use small fasteners or spring-loaded levers that can be tricky to manipulate, but on most cars it's as easy as pushing a lever and pulling off the blade, then sliding the new one into place.
If your repair manual doesn't have instructions, the packaging for the new blades probably will. Make sure the new blade is locked firmly in place.
If it falls off while the wipers are running, the wiper arm will scratch the windshield. You can also buy wiper blade refills, which are just the rubber part.
The blade is the rubber plus the metal or plastic that holds it against the glass and buying just the rubber is less expensive. Refills can be fiddly to change, however, and if the blades are old they may not hold the new refill firmly against the glass.
The oil change is the high end of do-it-yourself maintenance. It is a fairly straightforward procedure.
You raise the car off the ground, drain the oil, replace the oil filter, refill with the proper amount of oil and check for leaks. Your repair manual should be able to walk you through it.
But it is a dirty job, requires tools, and you have to take the old oil to a parts or repair shop for recycling. Most quick-lube places are cheap enough that it's not worth the effort, but some people just enjoy doing it themselves.
Author Resource:-
Jack R. Landry is a certified technician and has been repairing broken and cracked windshields since the 80s. He has written hundreds of articles about auto glass repair Utah.
Contact Info:
Jack R. Landry
JackRLandry@gmail.com
http://www.DiamondGlass.com
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