For someone who isn’t a car mechanic, doing anything yourself sounds like a stupid and dangerous job. And in some areas it is; you should never attempt to replace your own engine, or to clean your own pistons – tasks like those should be strictly performed by a trained professional. However, there are many areas of maintaining your car that you can do for yourself and will be much better off because of it.
Oil
Checking your oil levels should be a weekly task – wait until your car is cool, locate the dipstick and check that the oil level is above the minimum line. You will probably need to top it up once a month. It’s such an easy task, but one that so many people forget to do. Make sure that you buy the right oil for your car, and only fill it to the max line – it’s there for a reason. Never pour water or any other liquid in there, it’s dangerous and just common sense to not do that.
Tires
Your tires take a beating every time you go for a drive. Which is why checking them over should also be a weekly task. It’s so easy to get a puncture and not realise it until a few days later. But if you check your tires regularly then you will notice the damage sooner rather than later. A visual look and a good squeeze with either your hand or your foot is sufficient to see any noticeable changes, it also gives you the chance to check your tire treads. Stick a coin in the gaps, and when the tread is below the writing on the face of the coin – you need to have them replaced. Your tires lose air naturally, it’s normal wear and tear, so invest in a air pressure tool which allows you to check the pressure within your tire, so you know when and how much you need to top up.
Parts
You can easily go to a garage and have them source parts for you – and hat is perfectly fine. They will have a great supplier and will be able to get a great deal. However, that doesn’t always mean that you will get a great deal too. When sourcing your own parts, you need to know exactly what you need and that what you’re buying is the right thing. There is no point turning up to a garage with a jeep front bumper for your Nissan Micra – it just doesn’t work. Make sure that where you are buying from has a good reputation and always check out their policy on returns and warranties. The likelihood is, if they provide a lengthy warranty and have a good reputation, the gear you’re purchasing is going to be of a good quality.
Wipers
It goes without saying that you should be able to change your own wipers – it’s an easy clip out and clip in situation. But you do need to make sure that you are changing them before it becomes difficult to drive in the rain. Depending on the season, your wipers could last longer or get worn out quicker. But add the check to your weekly list – a simple once over should be enough for your to know whether or not you need new wipers.
