Most of us have been driving since we were twenty. For many people, it is almost impossible to imagine that they do not have a car. In a sense, they are part of our lives. But, like many things, cars can sometimes let us down. You know frustration when your car breaks down just when you need it most. Okay, if I tell you that some of most common causes of car problems can be fixed easily, what can you learn to do on your own? Here are 10 basic car repairs you should know.
1. Changing Oil To keep your car running smoothly and prolonging life of your engine, you need to check and change oil in your car regularly. Changing oil in your car is one of most basic DIY skills you need to have when servicing or repairing a car. Of course, if your car's oil filter and drain plug are difficult to access, that's a different story. The basic steps include draining oil by removing drain plug, unscrewing oil filter and draining it, replacing oil filter and drain plug, removing filler cap, and adding fresh engine oil. You won't learn anything from a bunch of online tutorials!
2. Change tires A wheel is car slang for a reason. This is because tires are one of most important parts of your vehicle. From time to time they may approach you. But changing a flat tire shouldn't be a big deal and can actually be a life skill. The basic steps include loosening lug nuts (using a wrench), lifting car off ground with a jack, removing lug nuts (and then tires), fitting spare wheel, screwing nuts back on. , lower vehicle and finally check that lug nuts are tight. Simple.
3. Replacing Spark Plugs Most of us know what spark plugs are and what they do. These are tiny devices inside cylinders that create a spark to ignite gasoline that ultimately powers your car. But they wear out every 10,000 miles or so. The fix is actually quite simple. These steps include: finding spark plug, removing spark plug wire, removing bad spark plug, putting a new spark plug in its place, and putting wire back. You made! Be sure to watch tutorial before you do it yourself.
4. Remove scratches from paint Scratches are worst. Even small scratches are visible from afar and can ruin overall look of a metal monster. Unfortunately, having them removed at a repair shop can cost you thousands of dollars. However, you can save money and frustration by doing simple DIY work. These steps include: determining depth of scratch, lightly sanding scratch, cleaning area, applying an abrasive, polishing area with an abrasive, rinsing area, and finally applying wax to area to seal restoration. That's all. You save yourself a lot of money.
5. Replacing car batteries Car batteries often kill us at most inopportune moment. If you are overloaded, your best bet is to get roadside assistance and/or call a tow truck. However, if you are at home and battery is showing signs that it may need to be replaced, DIY replacement method is quite simple. These steps include: remove any cover from battery, disconnect negative cable, remove clip from battery post, do same with positive cable clip, unscrew all screws, replace old battery with a new one Replace and finally reattach cable clip . Make sure you label cables before removing them.
6. Replacing headlights or taillights Damaged headlights or taillights are not only inconvenient, but actually illegal. Therefore, you need to change them as soon as they start to disappear. But why spend money on a mechanic when replacing it with your own hands is so easy? The process includes: unscrewing screws holding headlight frame to bracket, disconnecting electrical connector, removing defective bulb and replacing it with a new one, reconnecting connector, and finally replacing frame. Sometimes only frame can break, which is no less dangerous. You can follow the same steps to make changes.
7. Replacing Wipers Windshield wipers are one of least used parts of a car's security system. Imagine what would happen if they broke during heavy rain or snow, which could damage your new car. Defective wiper blades need to be replaced and you need to make sure your wipers are always in perfect condition. This piece is easy to fix. These steps include: removing wiper arm from windshield, depressing small tab that allows wiper blade to be pulled out, aligning new wiper blade with arm and pressing it firmly. finished! Be sure to follow instructions.
8. Replacing air filter The air filter is one of most neglected parts of a car. They protect engine from dust and other contaminants. They are inexpensive and easy to replace, so keeping your car's engine clean is another easy DIY task. These steps include: opening cover, accessing air filter unit, removing air filter cover, removing air filter and cleaning air filter housing, installing a new filter, and finally replacing cover. You made! Make sure you change filter every 30,000 miles or about once a year. 9. Replace brake pads Brakes are one of most important elements to keep your vehicle safe while driving. Brake failure is cause of many accidents, so your car's brakes should always be in perfect condition. Luckily, changing brake pads is as easy as changing tires. The basic steps include: loosen wheel nuts, jack up car, remove wheel, unscrew deadbolt, remove old brake pads and replace them with new ones, then put deadbolt back on and put wheel back on. in place. If you are using replica wheels, you must be especially careful. Here's another easy DIY that will save you money! 10. Start your car quickly This is not a fix, but a basic skill. Everyone should know how to start a car. You don't need roadside assistance every time your car won't start, it's actually easiest thing to do. Simply unplug jumper cable, put both cars in neutral and turn off ignition. Now attach one of red clips to positive battery terminal and other to positive battery of other car (the one about to start). Attach black clip to negative battery terminal of another vehicle. Attach other end to an unpainted metal surface. Now try to start your car. You made!