Are you someone who likes to work on cars? Do you like a good challenge when you need something fixed? Maybe you like to help people and you’re the kind of person who enjoys making DIY YouTube videos or reading car manuals to help others? This article will give you some ideas on how to do repairs yourself and when to hire a professional.
DIY car repairs
YouTube is the best place to find how-to or DIY videos. From DIY projects to baking, there’s something for everyone! Sometimes you’d rather fix something yourself, or at least try to before calling in a professional. Sometimes doing it yourself is worth the cost of the parts. Let’s take a look at some DIY car repair options.
Changing your own brake pads
This is easier than you might think. All you need is a wheel lug wrench, some basic wrenches, pliers and, of course, a car jack and a set of jack stands (never get under a car unless it is on jack stands; you cannot rely on the jack as it may fail). Doing it yourself can save you money. A set of new brake pads will set you back as little as $20-$40, depending on the car and pad material. Compare that to the industry average of $250 per axle.
The process is simple. Remove the wheel, remove the hardware, pull out the worn pads, push in the caliper piston, install the new pads and reinstall the hardware. You should be able to do all four wheels in under an hour, even if this is your first time. The new pads will last between 30,000 and 50,000 miles and you should check them every 10,000 miles. If the pad thickness drops below 2mm-3mm, it’s time for another set.
Changing the battery
A car battery lasts about 3 to 5 years, so you don’t want to wait until you’re having trouble starting your car to change it. Nobody wants to be stranded on the side of the road with a dead battery. The average price of a new battery if you do it yourself is around $80. However, it could be more or less depending on the make and model of your car. A dealer will charge you up to $200 to change the battery, so it’s worth it for some people.
All you need to do the job is a basic set of wrenches. The biggest caveat here is the order in which you remove and replace the wires. Remove the NEGATIVE (black) cable FIRST, and when you have installed the new battery, replace the NEGATIVE cable LAST. If you don’t do this, you could short-circuit the positive (red) terminal to a grounded part of the car.
Doing your own oil change
Doing your own oil change is another car repair you can do yourself. A typical garage will charge between $30 and $70, and some will charge as much as $90 to $100 if you have an expensive import. Check your car manual to find out when you need to change your oil.
To change the oil, buy a good quality oil filter and the best oil you can afford from your local supplier (this can be a garage or a retail outlet). As well as jack stands and a car jack, you’ll need an oil filter, a spanner and a drain pan. These only need to be bought once and will last for decades. You can find videos online that show you how to change the oil in a variety of vehicles.
Replacing a headlight or rear light
Eventually, your headlight or taillight will burn out and you’ll need to replace it. It’s important to remember to replace headlights or taillights when they’re out for your safety and the safety of other drivers.
If one (or more) isn’t working, it’s time to buy a replacement and do it yourself. With the average hourly repair rate at a garage being $100, you could easily spend $25-$50 per bulb, especially if the garage has a minimum charge.
One of the most important things to do is to bring the old bulb with you to the shop. You want to make sure you are getting like for like. And when it comes to replacing the bulb, never touch the bulb glass with your bare hands. The grease from your fingers can cause the bulb to burn out prematurely.
Replace your windscreen wipers
Windscreen wipers are another repair you can easily do yourself. You need to be able to see clearly out of the windows of your car during a rain or snow storm. A set of wipers will cost you between $20 and $40 on average, but a garage will charge you around $100. Replacing your car’s wipers yourself takes just a few minutes and all the instructions are included with the replacement wipers you buy.
Car repairs you should not try yourself
Some car repairs are fairly easy to do yourself, but there are some repairs that should be left to the professionals.
Repairing the AC system
Replacing the AC system is more complicated because it has many parts. It can be physically difficult and the chemicals involved can be harmful. That’s why it’s best to leave it to the professionals. The last thing you want is for your car to be too hot or too cold!
Repairing the ignition system
Like the AC system, the ignition is connected to your car’s electrical system. This means you could short-circuit the system or shock yourself with 50,000 volts of electricity. This is another repair best left to the professionals.
Repairing the electrical system
Car electrical systems are complex with many wires involved. It can be difficult to find out what’s causing the problem and then work out how to fix it. The repair itself will be complicated with many steps that can go wrong.
Repairing the engine
Car engines are much more complicated these days and just looking under the bonnet isn’t the best option. So it’s going to be difficult for you to really identify what’s going on in your engine. If you make the wrong repair, you’ll have to pay for another repair to fix it.
Some car repairs are easier than others and can be done by yourself. Other repairs are more complicated and should be left to the professionals. For the do-it-yourself repairs, think about the different resources available to you, such as YouTube or a credible website with instructions. You want your car to be as safe as possible for you, your passengers and others on the road.
