Few of us can imagine living without a car. Unfortunately, like many things, vehicles do fail us from time to time. Some of the most typical causes for breakdowns have easy fixes that you can perform yourself.
Keep an eye and ear out for signs of damage and wear. Using the database on www.epcatalogs.com, you can find full catalogs of spare parts and diagnostic software for your vehicle. Here are five basic repairs every car owner can do to prevent major issues.
Table of Contents
1. Changing Oil
Regular checks and changes are crucial to support the smooth running of your car and prolong the life of its engine. Remove the oil drain plug, unscrew the filter, empty it, and put the filter and plug back. Then, take out the oil filler hole cap to pour in fresh oil. Unfortunately, on some vehicles, the filter and plug are not easy to reach.
2. Changing a Flat Tire
As long as you make sure your spare is inflated, this task is no big deal. Knowing how to change a tire may even be a life-saving skill. Use a wrench to loosen the lug nuts. Lift the vehicle off the ground using a jack stand. Remove the nuts and the tire, place your spare on, wrench the nuts, lower the car, and check that the nuts are tight. Voila!
3. Changing Spark Plugs
These small parts inside the cylinder are responsible for igniting the gasoline to power your vehicle. Did you know they wear out every 10,000 miles on average? Replacing them is a no-brainer: locate the spark plugs, take away the wire, replace a faulty plug with a new one, and put the wire back in place. There are plenty of YouTube tutorials to help you.
4. Removing Scratches
Even subtle scratches can ruin the look of your vehicle. Moreover, you may have to pay thousands of dollars to have them removed professionally. Save money by doing it yourself! Here is how:
- assess the depth of the scratch,
- sand it gently,
- clean the area,
- polish it with a rubbing compound,
- wash the area, and
- wax it.
5. Changing the Battery
The battery can let you down at the most inconvenient moment — for example, when you are in the middle of nowhere. To prevent this from happening, check it for signs of wear and damage regularly. Replacing it is not difficult:
- Remove the covers and disconnect the negative cables.
- Move the clamp and positive cable clamp away from the battery post.
- Remove all of the screws.
- Take out the old battery and put in the replacement.
- Reconnect the clamps.
Final Words
These are the most basic fixes every driver should learn. You can also replace your headlight or taillight, change wipers, replace air filters, change brake pads, and more. As you dive deeper into the subject of DIY repair, you will be amazed at the sheer number of tasks you can complete without professional assistance.
