All posts tagged DYI auto repairs

Saving money on auto repairs by doing them yourself is not terribly difficult. Parts are the least expensive portion of any auto repair equation. More than half the price you pay at a repair shop is in labor. Furthermore, there is a wealth of information and tutorials on the web to help you do just about anything on your car. All it takes is some tools and the willingness to get your hands dirty. The following are some easy repairs that often cost a small fortune at a shop.

1.Air Filters

These are the items that lube shops often try to sell with an oil change and the reason is that they are cheap and easy to replace, even for a lube tech. In most cars, the air filter is in a conspicuously large box in the engine compartment. It is usually held down with a combination of latches and bolts. Simply remove these, remove the filter and put in a new one.

2.Spark Plugs

Spark plugs are right on the front of the engine, one for each cylinder. On a 4-cylinder car, they will be right in a row, on 6 and 8 cylinder cars, they will be divided evenly. One important extra tool you will need for this job is a gap gauge to measure the gap and create a gap if you buy adjustable plugs.

3.Brakes

Brake pads are relatively easy to replace and often cost quite a lot at a repair shop. Rotors are more difficult and may be the culprit if you hear a grinding sound with your brakes. However, the standard squeaking just means the pads are worn.

4.Transmission Fluid Replacement

This is an important job for cars with automatic transmissions. It is also potentially safer to do this yourself as shops often do transmission flushes, which can actually damage the system, especially if they have never previously been done on the car. This job is similar to an oil change in that you drain the old fluid, replace the filter and then replace the fluid. Auto parts stores carry replacement pieces for leaking transmission systems, and can help you find a solution.

5.Belts and Hoses

These are fairly easy to identify for replacement. Hoses appear worn or cracked and belts may squeak or also appear worn. Simply remove the parts and replace them with new ones. Items you are likely to need to replace include drive belts, radiator hoses and serpentine belts.

Diagnosing car problems is generally more difficult than fixing them. If you have a new car, you may want to invest in a code reader. There are many easy car repairs you can do yourself instead of talking to mechanic that will save you both time and money.

Anita is a freelance writer from Denver and often writes about home, auto, family and business. She enjoys traveling with her family when she isn’t writing. Informational credit to Highway Auto Parts.