Don't assume the multi-point inspection of your car helps you in a real way that isn't for the dealer.Sometimes they're just looking for easy ways to sell you more services you can do at home for much less.You pay a bit more upfront for the equipment, but you don't need to be a professional to take care of your vehicle.
You can do plenty at home for cheap.You don't need a mechanic to swap your air filters Changing your cabin and engine filters takes five minutes Close When you get an oil change, the mechanic tends to try to show you a dirty cabin air filter as if it is the end of the world.There are two things to this: depending on your filter, a gray color is normal, and I even buy charcoal-infused filters because they're better.
However, even if you do need to change a filter, you don't need a mechanic to do it.Tip: For anything you buy, Amazon lets you enter your vehicle information and tells you whether a part fits, so it's easier than you think.You can get an engine air filter for about $20 and a cabin air filter for about $10.
Your cabin air filter is built into the HVAC blower motor housing and is usually tucked behind the glove box on the passenger side.Gemini could explain it, but there are plenty of videos on how to remove it easily.The engine filter sits in a plastic housing under your hood.
Find the big plastic airbox near the front, and unclip the metal clips or unscrew the fasteners holding the lid on.Lift the top just enough to remove the filter, then replace it; it is that simple.Stop paying the shop to change your wiper blades Putting on fresh wiper blades is a quick job Do not make the mistake of letting a dealership or mechanic replace your wiper blades unless it is completely free.
You can get a really good pair for $40 on Amazon, which is likely less than what you'd be charged for the mechanic's time to install them.All you have to do is lift the metal wiper arm away from the glass, turn the blade sideways to form a T-shape, release the locking tab, or push the old blade down toward the arm to slide it off the J-hook.Then, slide the new blade onto the hook until it clicks.
It takes about five minutes the first time because you should go slow to get used to it, but the next time will take less than two minutes.Watch them too, because they can leave worse streaks.This isn't universal; make sure you get the one that fits your car.
You could do damage if you try to force this, but many retailers will ask about the car before they sell you the part.Keeping your car fluids full is easy to do yourself Checking and topping off fluids takes almost no effort I normally get this done for free at Jiffy Lube, but plenty of places will charge you for it.Topping off your fluids is so very simple that anyone can do it.
It may be expensive at first because the fluids come in big containers, but you save a lot of money over time.Tip: Always clean around your cap to keep dirt out.Windshield washer fluid is probably the easiest fluid to monitor and refill yourself.
The reservoir is a translucent plastic tank under the hood, usually marked with a washer symbol and sealed with a simple plastic snap cap.Pour winter- or summer-rated washer solvent straight into the neck until it reaches the lower fill line.Engine coolant is a bit more complicated, but remember: never open the radiator cap or the pressurized expansion tank while the engine is hot.
Doing that releases the built-up pressure all at once, and that will likely burn you.Once the system is cold, check the translucent side of the plastic expansion tank or recovery bottle and fill it to the lines.Remember, engine coolant isn't universal; find the one made for your make, model, and year.
Doing your own oil changes saves money after the first time Changing your oil and filter isn't as hard as it looks Everyone tells you to change your own oil, but they neglect to mention that the first time you do it, it's a little expensive if you don't already have the tools.I'd say always go for synthetic oil because it lasts longer between changes, and make sure to have at least two heavy-duty jack stands.I've read articles that mention using only one, or scissor jacks, and you can, but that is so dangerous.
It's better to use as many as you can to keep the car up.Also, run the engine for about two minutes first to warm it up before starting this.It's much harder with thicker, colder oil, and you won't clean as well as you could with a warmer engine.
Don't go any further than two minutes.Before you start, remove the oil filler cap on top to help it drain faster before you take out the drain plug.Make sure your pan is over where you think it should go.
If it's your first time, keep your hand on the pan.You're likely going to be wrong, and you want to move it quickly because oil is a pain to clean.Once the old oil has fully drained, remove the old oil filter with the rubber gasket.
Lubricate the new filter's rubber seal with clean oil, tighten it by hand, then give it one final turn.Next, clean the plug, put a new washer on it, and thread it back in by hand to avoid cross-threading.Rotating your tires just takes a couple of basic tools Moving your tires around keeps them wearing evenly I think tire rotations are the easiest thing on this list because they just need a few tools.
This is like the first thing I was taught in Auto Tech in school.You just want to switch the front tires with the back ones; that's all.Park on a flat surface and use the parking brake.
Loosen the lug nuts slightly on all the wheels before you put them on heavy-duty jack stands.For front-wheel drive, move the front tires straight back, and move the rear tires diagonally to the front.For rear-wheel drive, move the rear tires straight forward and move the front tires diagonally to the back.
For all-wheel drive, cross all four tires diagonally in an X-pattern.You don't need to be a mechanic for this I took Auto Tech in high school, and I do a lot of work on my car myself.But knowing a thing or two about cars tells me how easy this is.
I've walked my wife through some of these because they're so simple.Some of this takes a little nerve the first time, especially getting under a car or cracking open something under the hood.So you should go slow and watch a video specific to your make and model.
The second time around, all of it feels obvious.
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