Isn’t everything expensive?
Prices only seem to be going in one direction, and it feels like everyone’s wage packet is having to stretch further and further. That’s why it’s a good idea to try and trim down your expenses as much as possible – and car repairs is one way in which you can save a huge amount by doing any job yourself.
So, what repairs can you do yourself? Most of them, truth be told – which is why we at Haynes manuals have come up with a list of reasons why a DIY car repair is much cheaper than a mechanic.
So, why should you fix your car yourself? Read on.
1. It’ll save you money
Workshops charge you for their time. It’s called a labour rate and they can vary from around $40 an hour at an independent garage to well in excess of $150 an hour if you go to a main dealer. Indeed, we’ve listed various simple jobs you can carry out at home with only a few simple tools, and shown how much you can save:
| DIY | Workshop | |
| Oil/filter change | $60 | $200 |
| Front brake pad change | $40 | $250 |
| Auxiliary drivebelt change | $20 | $100 |
| Air filter change | $15 | $50 |
| Alternator change | $150 | $350 |
| Spark plugs change | $60 | $150 |
| Tie rod end change | $40 | $150 |
2. It’s good to learn
Knowledge, as they say, is power. So, the more you know about your car’s inner workings, the better off you’ll be in the long run. Think about it, if there’s a job that needs doing around the house, you’ll learn how to do it. So why should your car be any different? Plus, there are plenty of Haynes Manuals to help you along the way.
3. It’s not scary
Following on from number two, we really have to drive home the fact that cars aren’t something to be feared. If they were, we wouldn’t make so many helpful guides.
If you let the fear of working on your car get in the way, you’re going to lose out because you won’t be saving money. Leading us onto...
4. It’s only nuts and bolts
People get a bit scared when it comes to working on cars, but that’s the wrong approach. It’s only nuts and bolts, and as such, it can only really come apart one way and go back together the same.
Get involved with the wrenches and screwdrivers, see what connects to what, and if you’re getting in a bit over your head, just stop and screw/bolt it all back up. It’s that simple.
5. It’s really satisfying
Ah yes, the satisfaction of a job well done. This is why we do anything, because we want to enjoy the fruits of our labour. Master your socket set, change that broken part, feel like a pro.
That’s what being a home mechanic is all about. Plus, when you put up some shelves you can’t drive the finished article around town. You can with a car though, so show off your handywork!
6. It’ll build your confidence
The more you do, the more you learn and the greater your confidence will become. This has many benefits. Not only will it mean you’re more likely to do future jobs yourself, it also means that you won’t be easily hoodwinked should you have to go to a garage for a bigger, more complicated job. You’ll have a bit of ‘the knowledge’ which will put you in good stead.
7. There’s a world of information out there
So you don’t know where to start? No worries, Haynes has your back. We have guides for almost every car you can think of and the ‘how to’ information you need to guide you through any repair.
Every Haynes Manual is written as we take every car down to its component parts and then put it all back together again. Let us impart that knowledge upon you – it’s what we do!
8. You’ll bond with your car
The more you work on your car, the more you’ll come to know all its little idiosyncrasies. There won’t be a squeak, rattle or clonk the origin of which you can’t pinpoint. You will be at one with your automobile.
That’s a great position to be in, because it means you’ll have confidence in your car, and you’ll feel safer on the road as a result. This working on your own car malarkey has many benefits you know.
9. It’s an excuse to buy tools
Who doesn’t like tools? Buying new tools is much like buying new toys when you were a kid. All that gear, all that polished chrome. And as you buy more tools, all that potential to carry out any job that should be required increases exponentially.
Yep, there’s nothing finer in life than a well-stocked toolbox. This is your chance to live that dream!
10. You'll impress your friends
Become the master of your own automobile and you’ll be the envy of all your friends. They’ll be mystified by your mastery of mechanics, astounded by your astute appreciation of the automobile and impressed by your integration into all that is internally combusted. You get the idea.
You’ll become the ‘go to’ guy for car advice and repairs, a font of all automotive knowledge, or they’ll just ask you what to do when fitting new wiper blades.
