Car maintenance can drill a hole in your wallet and no wrench or retaining clips will be able to fix it. But, before it’s too late you can take matters into your own hands and save yourself a trip to the garage. There are several kinds of repairs which can be made on your own regardless of your car knowledge. Below are some simple car fixes which can help you save money and time. Keep in mind cautionary measures need to be taken when using tools and flammable liquids.
Flat tire
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Tools Needed: Jack, built-in lever, lug nut ratchet, spare tire
Symptoms: Your car is wobbly
Approx. time: 20 minutes
Simply find a stable part in the car frame, place the jack under it and lift the car up using the built-in lever. Unscrew the nuts using lug nut ratchet. Remove the tire from the disk and replace it with the spare one.
Head or tail lights
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Tools Needed: New bulbs and screw driver (in some cases)
Symptoms: Dim light or no illumination
Approx. time: 15 minutes
Pop the hood and try to look for a housing which will be exactly behind the main lights. Unscrew the cap, unfasten the clip that holds the bulb in place and remove the plug from the old bulb. Replace it with a new bulb and run back the procedure.
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Dead battery
Photo credit: Joe Belanger / Shutterstock.com
Tools Needed: Wrenches, socket set, screwdriver, wire brush or corrosion-removal fluid.
Symptoms: Car won’t start and gadgets won’t function.
Approx. time: 15 minutes
Before reaching the conclusion that the battery is dead, it’s always beneficial to have a visual check up. Remove the terminals using a wrench one after another. If you see a corrosion on the terminals, simply clean using wired brush or corrosion-removal fluid and attach them back. If it still doesn’t work then install a new battery and connect the terminals.
Spark plugs
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Tools Needed: socket wrench, socket extension, spark plug socket
Symptoms: Trouble starting your car or engine misfires
Approx. time: 30 mins
As complicated as you may think changing a spark plug is, in reality, it’s quite simple. Once you open your hood look for a group of wires leading to the engine compartment. End of those wires connected to the engine is where you will find the spark plugs in their casing. Number of spark plugs depends on the number of cylinders in your car. Remove one wire at a time using the socket wrench and remove the spark plug from the casing. Replace it with a newer spark plug and tighten it with a wrench. Do the same with remaining spark plugs.
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Oil and filter change
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Tools Needed: Oil pan, ratchet, funnel, wrench and jack
Symptoms: Generally needs to be changed every 5000 kms
Approx. time: 45 mins
It’s time to get your hands dirty. Lift your car using a jack and then get under it. Find the oil plug, unscrew it using a ratchet and drain all of it in an oil pan. Next step is to remove old oil filter from the engine using a wrench, then lubricate the new filter with engine oil and tighten it back. Now fill up the engine with new oil using a funnel. You will be able to measure how much oil is filled into the engine using a dip stick. Oil level marking on the end of the stick will give you an indication of current level.
Note: Make sure your engine has cooled down before starting the process
Disk brakes
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Tools Needed: Jack, lug wrench, c clamp, hammer, new brake pads,
Symptoms: Squeaky sound when braking
Approx. time: 1 hour
Lift your car first using a jack and make sure it’s securely rested on it and remove the wheel using lug wrench. Next step is to remove the brake caliper by unscrewing the bolts placed on the back side of the caliper. Detach the caliper gently without disturbing the brake lines. Once the caliper has been removed, the brake pads should easily slide out. Change it with the new brake pads and secure it with retaining clips. Now place the caliper back on brake disk and firmly tighten it with C-clamp and reverse the procedure mentioned above.
Air filters
Photo credit: Lisa F. Young / Shutterstock.com
Tools Needed: None
Symptoms: Blockage in air flow to the carburetor
Approx. time: 10 mins
Once you open your car’s hood, look for a black box (not the battery) with clips on each side. Open the casing and make a note on filter placement in the box. Remove the old one and replace it with new and place it in the exact same way and you’re good to go.
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Windshield wipers
Photo credit: Indy Edge / Shutterstock.com
Tools Needed: None
Symptoms: Old wipers leaving marks on windshield
Approx. time: 10 mins
Simply lift the wiper blades from the windshield by hand and remove it from the main metal arm. Removing the wipers can be a bit tricky as it varies from car to car. Therefore, you need to pay attention on how the wipers are connected and change them without any damage.
