Handling basic car repairs on your own can save time and money in repairs at the mechanic. Learn to change out batteries yourself, check and adjust tire pressure yourself, clean air filters to maximize fuel efficiency and performance, replace fuses as needed and more.
Fixing a leaking heater hose can be accomplished easily through DIY car repair, all you need is the right tools and some time.
Tire Repair
Tires can become punctured by nails, sharp objects and debris which causes air pressure loss and requires either a patch or plug for restoration of air pressure.
Repair options depend on where and the size of the hole; patches or plugs may be able to repair holes within tread areas, while sidewall and shoulder damage will require replacement.
Change out your car’s air filter yourself for a low cost and improved performance – an easy DIY car repair you can complete in minutes using simple tools and know-how. Furthermore, checking tire pressure regularly ensures proper handling and fuel economy and can be purchased cheaply at auto parts stores.
Battery Replacement
Car batteries are an integral component of your vehicle. They store electrical energy that the starter converts into mechanical power for engine starting, lights, music and other electronic components.
Make sure that when replacing a battery yourself, protective eye glasses, gloves and jewelry are worn and metal jewelry removed prior to beginning any work on it. Before disconnecting the negative cable (usually marked “-“) with black markings; disconnect and then reconnect as soon as you finish working.
Use a wire brush and battery cleaner to clean the terminals of your old battery, adding some anti-corrosion grease as protection when installing your new one. Reconnect the positive cable, connecting it first to red terminal before black one so as to prevent electricity running backward from black terminal to grounded areas of car.
Dent Repair
Car dents can be an inconvenient sight in parking lots and hailstorms alike; more importantly they may indicate potential structural damage that requires costly repairs later. Addressing small dents early could save money in repair bills in the long run.
Paintless dent repair (PDR) is an innovative technique in which tools are used to massage the underside of panels and restore them back to their original shapes without harming paintwork. While more expensive than conventional methods of fixing dent, PDR may also take less time and be quicker.
PDR technicians determine the most efficient means of accessing damaged areas by entering through window openings or by removing body panels or trim pieces. A light board is then used to illuminate dented spots and pinpoint those they must massage using tools.
Fuse Replacement
Fusing issues are among the primary sources of car troubles, ranging from lights not working, power windows not opening, and turn signals not blinking. Fuses play an important role in protecting circuits from becoming overloaded – excessive current may melt wires or cause fires if allowed to overload, potentially rendering your car immobile.
Replacement of blown fuses is simple and can be accomplished at home, just by consulting the owner’s manual for your vehicle and finding out which fuses control which components. Once you know which one has gone bad, remove and replace with an identical new fuse of the same amperage rating – your car should be back up and running in no time!