6 Car Maintenance Tasks You Can Handle On Your Own

This article was not written by Frank Viola. It’s a guest post.

If you are trying to live a more frugal life, you are probably wondering where you can cut down on expenses and which types of projects you can handle on your own without the need of a professional. You can start by handling improvement projects around the house, cooking a home meal instead of ordering or eating out, as well as taking care of some auto repairs by yourself.

Because you are probably not an expert in auto repairs, nearly every task will seem complicated at first, but in reality, things are much easier than they seem. We are no mechanics either, yet we managed to find a few car maintenance jobs that we can do all by ourselves, and they involve minimal expenses.

So, without further ado, here’s a list of car maintenance tasks you can handle without the help of a car expert.

Changing the air filter

Air filters need to be changed once a year or every 12,000 miles, depending on which situation happens first. This is an easy task for a mechanic, but you will usually have to leave your car there for at least one day. At home, you can replace the air filters in about 15 minutes and at a fraction of the price. Repair shops usually get their pieces from wholesale retailers such as Parts Geek, so it may be worth contacting these suppliers and see if they also sell individual parts, as the prices are much more affordable.

What you need to do is locate the filers, which are usually under the hood, but check the manual for the exact location. Open the container, check the filter and eventually take a photo, to know exactly how it is placed. Remove the used filter and replace it with another one, then close the metal clips and you should be all done.

Replace your windshield wipers

Many auto parts stores offer so-called discounts on wiper blades, providing free installation if you purchase the part from them. While this may sound like a good deal, this offer usually applies to overpriced wiper blades, so you don’t end up saving any money in fact.

Wiper blades are very easy to change at home and you will only pay $10 to $20 for the entire operation. What you need to pay attention to is the size of the blades, to make sure they fit on your car. Once you got the new blades, all you need to do is lift the wipers, remove the old blades and pay attention to how they fit on the wipers, then attach the new blades and make sure they fit tightly.

Get a new pair of spark plugs

Spark plugs need to be replaced once every 30,000 miles or so, but make sure you check with the owner’s manual and follow the instructions there. This is quite an easy process, but you do need to follow some guidelines to make sure you are doing a good job.

Start by locating the spark plugs, which are usually attached to some thick wires. You will find between four and eight plugs, depending on your car and how many cylinders it has. Keep in mind that your sparks are installed in a specific order and you need to follow that, so only remove the wires to the first spark plug at first. Install the new plug, tightening it with a wrench, but make sure you don’t overdo it. Reattach the wire and repeat the steps for every spark plug individually.

Oil and oil filters

While some experts recommend changing the oil every 3,000 miles, newer car models are much more efficient and you can do just fine by changing the oil every 5,000 miles. No matter when you decide to do it, oil and oil filter replacement is an easy task that you can handle by yourself.

What you need to keep in mind is to always allow the engine to completely cool down before proceeding, to avoid issues. Locate the oil pan, which should be under your car, unscrew the plug and let the oil drain into a container. Put the drain plug back, then locate the oil filter, which should be near your engine. Lubricate the gasket with some fresh oil, fill the new filter about two-thirds, then screw the new filter in. Fill the engine with new oil as well, check the oil level to ensure you have added enough, and you are done.

Battery maintenance

If you want your car running smoothly, you need to ensure the battery is in good condition. Inspect your battery and, if you start observing white residue on it, then it is time for a change. The process is very easy, so you really don’t need to pay a mechanic for this.

Open the hood and remove the terminals from the battery. Start with the negative cable, and if the cables are stuck, you can use a screwdriver to wiggle it a bit. Clean the posts with a professional product, which you can find at auto shops, and a wire brush. Rinse everything with a bit of water, dry the posts well, then replace the battery and you should be good to go.

Radiator and cooling system cleaning

Another aspect you need to consider if you want your car running properly is cleaning the cooling system and radiator. Dirt that builds up in the radiator can affect the cooling system and cost you great money, so a proper flush from time ensures problems are kept at bay.

Make sure the car is cool before starting, then find the radiator’s drain plug. Unscrew the drain plug and drain the old coolant into a container. Put the drain plug back, then remove the radiator cap and add cleaning solution. Fill the rest with water, put the cap back, and that’s all. You now have a clean cooling system that lasts.

This article was not written by Frank Viola. It’s a guest post.