Keeping a car on the road can be very expensive, especially if you’re driving an older vehicle. If you’re looking to save a few dollars, rather than take your car to your local Lakemba mechanic for regular servicing, there are a few maintenance jobs that are easy to tackle yourself with a little bit of knowledge.
Let’s take a look at 4 DIY car maintenance tasks that will save you money and keep your vehicle running smoothly.
1. Changing the Oil
Changing the oil is a relatively easy task as long as you have the correct tools and equipment. To carry out the oil change, you’ll need a jack and jack stand, a socket wrench, a drain pan, funnel and oil filter wrench.
You can find out what type of oil you need from your owner’s manual or by checking online, where you’ll also find step-by-step instructions on how to change the oil. If it’s your first time, you may want to have someone with you who’s experienced in carrying out oil changes.
2. Changing A Tyre
Many people don’t know how to change a tyre but rely on roadside assistance to help out. Depending on where you are when you get a flat tyre, this can prove to be a very costly experience. If your car has a spare tyre, learning how to change it could save you hundreds of dollars!
You’ll need a properly inflated spare, a jack and jack stand and a lug wrench and for safety, it helps to have a reflective vest, gloves and a flashlight just in case it’s dark. With practice, changing a tyre should take thirty minutes or less.
3. Jump Starting Your Car
If you’ve ever experienced a flat battery, you’ll know how frustrating it can be. However, jump starting your car is a relatively simple task.
All you need is a set of jump leads and another car of course. However, you do need to know what you’re doing with the leads as the process can cause hydrogen to be released from the battery, which may explode should it come into contact with a spark from the engine.
If in doubt, ask your Kingsgrove mechanic to show you how to jump-start your car the next time you take it in for a service.
4. Replacing Brake Pads
Changing brake pads is a more difficult and complex task, and it may be that it’s one job that you prefer to leave to your Earlwood mechanic. However, learning how to do it could save you hundreds of dollars and, with practice, will only take about an hour to complete.
You’ll know when your brake pads need replacing as they will start to squeal.
If in doubt, visit your local service centre
While ‘doing-it-yourself’ can save you a considerable amount of money, if you have any concerns about your ability to carry the job out safely and correctly, you should always take your vehicle to a professional.
Let’s take a look at 4 DIY car maintenance tasks that will save you money and keep your vehicle running smoothly.
1. Changing the Oil
Changing the oil is a relatively easy task as long as you have the correct tools and equipment. To carry out the oil change, you’ll need a jack and jack stand, a socket wrench, a drain pan, funnel and oil filter wrench.
You can find out what type of oil you need from your owner’s manual or by checking online, where you’ll also find step-by-step instructions on how to change the oil. If it’s your first time, you may want to have someone with you who’s experienced in carrying out oil changes.
2. Changing A Tyre
Many people don’t know how to change a tyre but rely on roadside assistance to help out. Depending on where you are when you get a flat tyre, this can prove to be a very costly experience. If your car has a spare tyre, learning how to change it could save you hundreds of dollars!
You’ll need a properly inflated spare, a jack and jack stand and a lug wrench and for safety, it helps to have a reflective vest, gloves and a flashlight just in case it’s dark. With practice, changing a tyre should take thirty minutes or less.
3. Jump Starting Your Car
If you’ve ever experienced a flat battery, you’ll know how frustrating it can be. However, jump starting your car is a relatively simple task.
All you need is a set of jump leads and another car of course. However, you do need to know what you’re doing with the leads as the process can cause hydrogen to be released from the battery, which may explode should it come into contact with a spark from the engine.
If in doubt, ask your Kingsgrove mechanic to show you how to jump-start your car the next time you take it in for a service.
4. Replacing Brake Pads
Changing brake pads is a more difficult and complex task, and it may be that it’s one job that you prefer to leave to your Earlwood mechanic. However, learning how to do it could save you hundreds of dollars and, with practice, will only take about an hour to complete.
You’ll know when your brake pads need replacing as they will start to squeal.
If in doubt, visit your local service centre
While ‘doing-it-yourself’ can save you a considerable amount of money, if you have any concerns about your ability to carry the job out safely and correctly, you should always take your vehicle to a professional.
