Save Money With These Do-It-Yourself Car Maintenance Tips 

Taking your vehicle to a mechanic for routine maintenance can get expensive. But with a little time and effort, you can take care of many basic car maintenance tasks yourself. Learning DIY auto care allows you to save money, become more self-reliant, and get to know your car better. Read on for some simple do-it-yourself maintenance tips to keep your ride running smoothly while avoiding hefty repair bills.  

Check and Change Your Oil Regularly:

One of the most important maintenance tasks is regular oil changes. Old, dirty oil can cause significant engine damage if left unchanged. Consult your owner's manual to see the recommended oil change interval, usually every 5,000-7,500 miles. You'll need oil containers, a filter wrench, drip pan and funnel. Locate the oil drain plug underneath the car, place the pan beneath, and remove the plug to drain old oil completely. Remove the old filter and replace it with a new one, lubricating its gasket slightly with fresh oil. Refill the engine with new oil based on your car's capacity. Dispose of old oil at an approved recycling center. Doing it yourself can save up to $40 or more per oil change compared to a shop.

Learn to Change and Rotate Tires:  

Changing a flat tire and rotating tires every 5,000-8,000 miles are straightforward DIY tasks. Start by reviewing your owner's manual for tips specific to your vehicle. You'll need a jack, tire iron, torque wrench, chalk, and spare tire. Park on level ground when changing a tire. Loosen the lug nuts first before jacking up the car. Remove lug nuts and flat tire, then install the spare and hand tighten lug nuts. Slowly lower the jack and finish tightening the lug nuts in a star pattern with the torque wrench. For rotations, mark your tires' current position with chalk, then move the front tires straight back and back tires to front. Doing rotations yourself saves $20-30 per service. YouTube has many step-by-step tutorials.

Learn to Change Air Filters:

Replacing air filters for your engine and cabin regularly keeps your car running cleanly and efficiently. Engine air filters should be changed every 10,000-15,000 miles. Look for instructions specific to your make and model for steps to remove the old filter and insert a new one. Cabin air filters improve climate control and interior air quality, and should be replaced about every 15,000 miles. The cabin filter is typically accessed through the glove box. Changing them on your own takes minutes and costs a fraction of paying a mechanic.

Learning basic DIY auto maintenance like oil changes, tire rotations, and air filter replacement can save you significant money compared to paying repair shops for routine servicing. Get to know your vehicle better in the process as well. Invest in quality tools, follow step-by-step guides, and dispose of materials properly. For more complex repairs or diagnostics, it still makes sense to visit a professional technician. But equipping yourself with a few fundamental maintenance skills allows you to take care of your car efficiently. Contact our knowledgeable mechanics at Highland Tire if you ever need advice or help on auto DIY projects to keep your vehicle running strong.