Essential Car Maintenance Tasks You Can Do Yourself

Keeping your car running smoothly requires regular maintenance. While you should always have major repairs and services done by a professional mechanic, there are several simple DIY maintenance tasks you can do yourself to keep your vehicle in good condition.

Performing basic upkeep not only helps prevent larger issues down the road, but it can also save you money. Here are some essential car maintenance jobs that most owners can manage on their own:

Check Tyre Pressure Regularly

Properly inflated tyres are crucial for safety, better handling, improved fuel efficiency, and increased tyre life. Check your tyre pressures at least once a month when the tyres are cold. The recommended pressure levels can usually be found on a sticker inside the driver’s door jamb or in your owner’s manual. Don’t forget to also check the pressure in the spare tyre.

Replace Wiper Blades

Worn or cracked wiper blades can significantly reduce visibility in rain or snow. Replacing them annually or when they start streaking is an easy job anyone can do. Simply lift the wiper arm off the windscreen, slide the old blade off, and push the new one into place until it clicks. Don’t forget to top up your windscreen washer fluid, too.

Check Engine Oil Level and Change It

Low engine oil can lead to inefficient operation and increased engine wear over time. Check your oil level monthly by pulling out the dipstick, wiping it clean, reinserting it, and then checking if the level is between the minimum and maximum marks. Top up with the recommended type of oil if needed.

While you’ll need to take your car to a garage for major oil changes, you can change the oil yourself in between by purchasing an affordable oil change kit. Follow the instructions carefully, warm up the engine first, drain the old oil, replace the filter, and refill with new oil.

Replace Air Filter

A clogged air filter can reduce acceleration and cause your engine to work harder, guzzling more fuel. Replacing the air filter is generally inexpensive and can be done in just a few minutes following your owner’s manual. Simply unlock the airtight casing, remove the old filter, and insert the new one properly aligned.

Rotate Tyres

Tyre rotation helps achieve more uniform wear and longer tread life. Most recommendations suggest rotating your tyres every 5,000-8,000 miles or twice a year. You’ll need a jack and lug wrench to swap the front and rear tyres in a crisscross pattern. Make sure to re-torque the lug nuts after lowering the vehicle. If you’re not comfortable doing this safely, have a tyre shop perform the rotation.

Test Battery

A dead battery is one of the most common causes of car troubles. Periodically inspect your battery and clean off any corrosion build-up on the terminals using a stiff brush dipped in baking soda and water. Use a voltmeter to check the charge, or schedule a professional load test if possible. Replace the battery if it’s more than 3-5 years old.

Replace Bulbs

It’s easy to replace burned out bulbs for your headlights, taillights, turn signals, brake lights, and interior dome lights yourself. Just be sure to use the proper type and wattage specified in your owner’s manual and avoid touching glass bulbs with your bare hands. Bulbs for headlights and taillights can often be accessed easily from the rear engine or trunk area.

Check Fluid Levels

In addition to engine oil, also check your coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and transmission fluid levels monthly and top up if needed. Allowing any of these fluids to run too low can lead to leaks, damage, and loss of braking power or steering control.

Clean Interior and Exterior

While likely obvious, simply keeping your car clean inside and out can make a big difference in its overall lifespan and value. Wash the exterior frequently using the proper soap and technique to preserve the paint finish and prevent build-ups that can promote rust. Vacuum and clean the interior regularly, and consider applying leather conditioners or vinyl protectants as needed.

With just a few tools, some basic supplies, and a little time, you can master these simple car maintenance tasks to keep your vehicle operating safely and efficiently for years to come – just be sure to refer to your owner’s manual for any specifics. Of course, use caution and your best judgement, and leave major repairs and services to the professionals.