Although it's spring, you don't have to limit your spring cleaning and TLC to just your house. In fact, now is the ideal time to ensure your car is in excellent condition. You could have a professional take a look at it if something is seriously wrong. However, there's probably no need to send it in if your car just needs some basic freshening up, like an oil change, a new filter, or some new wiper blades. Deciding how much to save for car maintenance can be a real headache, especially with inflation and the volatile market causing budgeting concerns.
So, consider that you might be able to keep the money and learn how to fix whatever needs fixing before you pay a mechanic to handle basic maintenance.
The time it takes to read a manual is typically shorter than the time it would take to drive to and from the gas station. You'll also gain some knowledge about your vehicle and experience the satisfaction that comes from completing tasks independently.
Changing Your Oil
The cornerstone of all auto maintenance is routine oil changes, and if you learn to perform them on your own, you'll quickly discover that it can be more convenient to do so than to have your vehicle serviced. It's also unquestionably cheaper. The average price of an oil change is $35 to $75, according to Kelley Blue Book (KBB). However, if your car uses synthetic fuel, it may reach triple digits.
Swap Out Corroded Spark Plugs
Depending on your engine, spark plugs can cost anywhere from $15 to $100. However, the cost of labor can easily exceed $100. With worn-out spark plugs, your engine will perform poorly, you'll get poor gas mileage, sluggish acceleration, and eventually the check engine light will come on.
Changing spark plugs is typically a simple task that takes an hour or less to complete. According to Family Handyman, when you do it yourself, you only have to pay for the cost of the spark plugs themselves, eliminating the cost of labor.
Maintaining Clean Battery Terminals
Your car battery's sulfuric acid releases hydrogen gas, which leads to corrosion around the battery terminals. The terminals enable the rest of the car to receive electricity from the battery.
If the corrosive buildup is too severe, your electrical system may begin acting unusually, or your car may simply not be able to start.
You can eliminate the calcification that is clogging your battery's terminals by using a thin metal wire brush and a solution of baking soda and water. This will allow you to restore power to your electrical system. According to RepairPal, the professionals will charge you anywhere from $26 to $33 for the same service.
RepairPal estimates you'll spend an average of $57–$73 to hire a professional to complete the task, including the cost of the filter and labor.
Change Your Air Filter
An air filter can be changed by anyone, unlike coolant and oil changes, which some people find intimidating or too complicated. In fact, it's a fantastic confidence booster for inexperienced auto DIYers who are just learning. There isn't much to it other than replacing the old one with a new one; it's right there under the hood within a plastic rectangular box.
DIY car maintenance may be daunting, but with the right instructions and tools, you’ll be able to undertake it and save substantial costs in the long run. A worthwhile investment is a car manual that is designed for your car model. Whether you own a Nissan, Ford, Jeep, or otherwise, Haynes has the comprehensive repair guide for you.
