Owning a car can be expensive. Between gas, insurance, and regular maintenance, there are always costs that come with being a car owner. But did you know that home car care saves you money? There are some maintenance tasks you can do yourself without having to bring your car into the shop.
Yep! It’s true. With just a few basic tools and some elbow grease, you can become your own DIY mechanic and save money while doing it. Let’s get started!
Check Your Fluids
Every car runs on a bunch of different fluids. These have to be topped off and checked on a regular basis. This includes oil, coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and windshield wiper fluid. Some of these require more frequent attention than others (oil should be checked every 3 months or 3,000 miles).
Check your owner’s manual for suggested replacement intervals for each type of fluid in your vehicle so you can schedule routine checks accordingly.
Change Your Air Filter
You should change your air filter every 12 months or 12,000 miles; whichever comes first. The air filter is responsible for keeping debris from entering the engine which helps maintain fuel economy and performance. You can buy an air filter at most auto parts stores for relatively cheap (usually around $20) and replacing it is super simple—just make sure you check the size of the filter before buying so you get one that fits your vehicle correctly!
Rotate Your Tires
Rotating your tires every 5-6 months or 5-6 thousand miles will help ensure even wear across all four tires. Uneven tire wear is often caused by inadequate inflation or misalignment problems which can cause accelerated tire wear as well as reduced fuel economy. Rotating your tires also helps extend their life by preventing premature balding in certain areas due to too much pressure being applied in one spot over time.
Clean Your Car Regularly
It may not seem like it, but keeping your car clean can actually help prolong its life. This is because dirt and grime can damage paint and lead to rusting over time. To avoid this, simply wash your car regularly with soap and water.
You should also wax your car every few months to protect the paint and keep it looking shiny and new. Taking good care of your car’s exterior will prevent costly repairs down the road.
Taking care of common car maintenance tasks doesn’t have to mean taking a trip to the shop every time something needs to be done. In fact, with just the right tools and a little know how, you can easily become a DIY mechanic who takes pride in their work—all while saving money along the way! So grab those tools and let’s get started on becoming a master mechanic; and remember that home car care saves you money.