What Are The Basic DIY Car Repairs You Should Know,

What Are The Basic DIY Car Repairs You Should Know

What Are The Basic DIY Car Repairs You Should Know

Despite cars being around for many years, the basic mechanics haven’t changed a whole lot, yet most people’s understanding of cars does not stretch beyond where to put the fuel. But there are plenty of basic DIY repairs that anybody can master. We can’t always guarantee help will be at hand if we get into trouble when driving, so it makes sense to get to know your car a little better. Not only will it make you more confident when it comes to problem-solving car issues, but it’ll save you money too.

Changing a Flat Tyre

Tyres are one of the most important parts of your vehicle and no matter how expensive your car is, if your tyre’s flat, you aren’t going anywhere. But changing a flat tire isn’t as hard as you might think and it’s a skill that may well come in handy one day. Cars with a spare wheel will have all the tools you require on board and ready for use. Follow the instructions in the manual and make sure the wheel is fitted correctly before setting off. It’s a good idea to practice at home rather than experience it first time on the side of a road with busy traffic speeding by. And be sure to get the tyre checked by a professional afterwards to ensure it’s fitted correctly. Choosing high-quality tyres from brands such as Dick-Cepek or General is guaranteed to ensure you’re having to do this repair less often.

Changing the Oil

It’s important to regularly check your oil level, and if necessary, change the oil to ensure the car runs efficiently and to protect the engine. The basic task is simple enough but will vary in difficulty depending on the car you have. Check the owner’s manual to learn more and to find out where the oil filter and drain plug for your car are. If you get stuck, then there are plenty of tutorials and video walk-throughs online.

Changing Spark Plugs

Spark plugs reside inside the engine cylinder and are responsible for creating the sparks that ignite the fuel and start the engine. As with all things, spark plugs have a lifespan and will need replacing at some point so it’s a good idea to know how to do it. The cost of a professional doing the work can be expensive, but the parts themselves are relatively cheap. Consult your user manual if you’re unsure or check out tutorials online for more information.

Windscreen Wiper Blades

Wiper blades need replacing regularly and it’s important that they are, or you will struggle with visibility when driving. Luckily, it’s an incredibly easy and cheap fix and requires no tools. Blades can be bought cheaply online and come with instructions that explain exactly how to fit them. Make sure they are fitted correctly before use, or they may scratch the windscreen.

Replacing a Car Battery

It’s not often that the car battery needs changing but when it does, you can be sure it will be when you need your car the most. There is any number of reasons for batteries to fail, from the unit’s age to accidentally leaving the headlights on. Replacing your battery at home will save you a lot of money and it’s easier than you might think. Find the right battery for your car online or at your local garage and follow the instructions in your car manual or a tutorial online. Remove the covers around the battery, disconnect the cables, remove the screws and lift the battery out. Then replace it with the new one but make sure the negative cable is the last one to be connected or you may short circuit the positive terminal.

Ask a Professional

While it’s great to know the basics when it comes to DIY car maintenance, it’s also important to know when to ask a professional to do the job. Mechanics will work quicker and more efficiently, plus they have all the tools and diagnostic equipment to hand. If you do not know what you are doing when it comes to repairs, you could potentially damage the car or cause an accident through incorrect maintenance. Certain repairs that are not carried out by qualified mechanics, may also void the warranty and cost more to repair in the long run.

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Useful Tricks That Every Car Owner Must Know About,

Useful Tricks That Every Car Owner Must Know About

Useful Tricks That Every Car Owner Must Know About

Here’s an article about how car owners can save time and money by mastering a few handy tricks. One of the best things you can do is to learn how to fill up your own tires, or at least know what to do if they go flat on you! That way, you’ll never have to pay for expensive repairs again. There are also some other things that all car owners should know about things like how to change power steering fluids, change a tire, or jump-start your battery. With all these tips, you’ll be well prepared for any emergency.

1) Know How To Remove Frost From Your Windshield

Did you know that scraping ice, snow, and frost from your windshield can actually cause small cracks in the glass? Then, over time, the cracks will only get worse. A better thing to do is use a spray bottle filled with warm water and a little soap. Just apply it carefully onto the windscreen, wait a few minutes for it to melt away all of the frost or ice, and then scrape it clean. If there’s still some leftover dirt on your car after you’ve done this-just wipe it off with a paper towel!

2) How To Tell If You Have Road Flares In The Car

If you ever find yourself stranded on the side of the road because of a flat tire or an accident, then you might need road flares. Of course, it’s important that you have these things in your car at all times just to be safe and ready for any emergency! However, not everyone knows how to tell if they’re there or not. That’s one useful trick that every car owner must know about: just look under the driver’s side seat next to where you would put a spare tire. If there are some of those orange cones marked with reflective stripes, then you’ve got what you need! But if there aren’t any-it’s probably time to pick up some of your own so that your family stays safe on the road.

3) What To Do If The Car Overheats

Sometimes cars can overheat during the summer because of all the heat that’s trapped inside. This is especially true if you’re stuck in traffic with no air conditioning! If your car starts to overheat, then just pull over somewhere safe and stop driving immediately. Find a spot where it’s cool outside, open up the hood, and let it sit there for about thirty minutes so that it can cool down on its own. Meanwhile, search around the engine for any leaks or tell-tale signs of leaking fluids. If you find some oil or water-you’ll want to have them checked out by a mechanic as soon as possible!

4) How To Jumpstart A Battery

You may know how important having jumper cables is when it comes to jumping another car, but what about your own battery? Of course, you’ll want to make sure that it’s always in good condition-otherwise you’ll be stranded on the side of the road with no one to help! But there are two common problems that can cause a battery to die: leaving lights on overnight and overcharging. In order to jumpstart your car, you need to follow a few simple steps. First, attach the positive cables to your battery terminals and then do the same with the negative ones. Then you need to connect one of your jumper cables’ clamps to the positive terminal on the dead battery, and then use that same clamp on another car’s positive terminal. 

Lastly, you’ll want to attach one final clamp onto an unpainted metal surface inside your engine bay-like the strut tower or something similar! You don’t want it touching anything that conducts electricity-like bare wires or anything else that looks dangerous. And now just start up your car like normal; it’ll charge itself back up!

5) How To Change Power Steering  Fluid

Power steering fluid is important for keeping all the moving parts in the steering system lubricated and working properly. Additionally, comparing power steering fluids will help you decide which is best for your car. So if it starts to run low, then you’ll be at risk for your power steering being out during times of increased strain-like when you have to park on a hill! 

The first thing that you need to do is check what kind of power steering fluid your car needs, which should be listed in your owner’s manual. Then open up the hood of your car, find where the reservoir tank is, remove it with a wrench or pliers, clean it out with water and soap, dry it thoroughly, refill with new fluid using a funnel or turkey baster, replace the cap securely back into place-and voila! You saved yourself some money by doing it yourself. You’ll also want to make sure that you keep up with changing your power steering fluid at least once every two years. Otherwise, you could be at risk for severe damage in the long run especially if it’s never been changed before… 

6) How To Change Your Own Tires

It doesn’t matter how new or expensive your car is-if one of its tires has a puncture, then you’re going to need to get it fixed right away! Tire blowouts can cause all sorts of accidents and injuries that cost lives. That’s why every driver should know how to change their own tires, just in case they ever get caught out on the road when something goes wrong… First off, you’ll need to carefully remove the tire’s hubcap. You can do this by prying it off with a flathead screwdriver or removing some screws if there are any. Next, you want to track down the car’s lug nuts-usually four of them, but sometimes more depending on how many wheels your car has.

You’ll also want to find some wood blocks that are somehow secured into place on either side of the tires so that they don’t roll away when you’re jacking up the vehicle. Now just use whatever tools you have available to loosen up each lug nut, raise your car using a jack if there isn’t already one in place under it, take off the bad tire and put on its replacement, lower the car back down again, and finally tighten the lug nuts by hand on each wheel. Then you’re all set!

Changing a tire can seem daunting, but it’s actually not too difficult if you know what to do. All drivers should be familiar with how to change their own tires, just in case they ever get caught out on the road with a flat. With these simple tips, you’ll be able to replace your own tire, fluids, and more in no time and you’ll save yourself some money by doing so!

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