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Common Car Problems You Should Fix Yourself

If you want to save money this year, then doing minor maintenance on your vehicle on your own will do the trick. As long as you carefully follow the simple instructions that are in your repair book or owner's manual, you don't need to be a car expert or even have any car fixing skills whatsoever in order to fix these minor car problems.

Dead Battery

There are a couple of reasons that a car battery will not perform. This includes corroded terminals, old age, a faulty charging system and bad driving conditions. If you replace your own battery you will save about $20 to $30 that you would otherwise have to spend on instillation costs. All you need to do is follow instructions and ensure that you have adequate eye protection. It is not a good idea to try to install a new battery if you are not sure about the process of disconnecting your old battery or connecting the new one. It is also beneficial to put jumper cables in your trunk for emergencies.

Oil Change

You should check your manual for how often your specific car needs an oil change as well as the quantity and type that is needed. It is recommended that you purchase premium oil as the extra cost is made up for by the increased protection that your engine receives. Whenever you change your own oil, remember to replace your car's filter as well. To do this you will need a few tools such as a filter wrench, an adjustable wrench and a container in order to put the used oil in. It is a good idea to check on your oil level often by using a dipstick. To save the most money on oil it is a good idea to buy it in bulk and store it.

Windshield Wipers

In order to keep a clear and safe view from your windshield it is recommended that you put new wipers on your car every year. For the majority of vehicles, you only have to replace the blade of the wipers and not the whole thing. The savings that you will receive depends greatly on your specific car, but getting your wipers replaced professionally usually costs around $50. On the other hand doing it yourself will usually not set you back more than $15.

Headlights

Putting in new headlight bulbs usually does not require any tools and will only take you a few minutes to do. However, the process is slightly more complicated if your car has sealed-beam headlights. Your manual will probably contain a diagram in order to help you see where the bulb holder is in your car. It's crucial that you do not use your fingers to touch the new bulb, as the oil on your skin can attract heat, which could make it burnout prematurely, and possibly break. Instead, use gloves to hold the plug side of the bulb. It is worth the effort it takes to do this, as you will only be spending about $10 instead of $80 for a professional fix.

Air Filter

Putting in an air filter in your car is one of the easiest things you can do. Clamps that can be easily unsnapped in a few seconds hold most cars' air filter together. It is recommended that air filters be replaced after about 15,000 miles. However doing so more frequently when you drive through dirt roads or dusty conditions is a good idea. By replacing your own air filter you will save as much as $50, making this easy fix well worth the few minutes it takes.