It’s expensive to run a car. From insurance and gas to essential repairs, it’s easy to forget just how much our vehicles really cost us. When money is tight, those essential repairs can often be put off until the problem gets worse, and then the costs start to become prohibitive. Cars need to be maintained regularly, but that doesn’t have to mean driving it to the mechanic once a month. With a little planning and the right equipment, doing your own car maintenance doesn’t have to be as challenging as you think. If money is tight and you need to fix up your car, here are some car repairs that you can easily do yourself.
Changing Brake Pads
It can be intimidating to tinker with your brakes. After all, if you get it wrong then your car’s braking time might be drastically and dangerously reduced. However, changing brake pads is very simple, no matter what your mechanic says. You’ll need:
- A wheel lug wrench
- Basic wrenches
- Pliers
- A Jack (and stands)
- Replacement pads
Simply remove a wheel, take off the hardware, remove the worn pads, and then reinstall everything back to how it was. That’s all it takes! There are plenty of youtube tutorials to walk you through the process if you get stuck.
Repairing Car Door Stripping
Over the colder months the seal on your car doors can tear off, and that means your doors won’t shut perfectly. This is a very simple repair job, and all you need is some weatherstrip adhesive, some brake cleaner, and some spray silicone. Remove the strip and clean it using the brake cleaner. When it’s dried, use the adhesive to reattach the strip to the door and wait for it to dry. If your door stripping is too damaged to repair, then buy silicone rubber for moulding and make your own. Don’t forget to spray some silicone over the replaced strip because this will stop it freezing up over the winter.
Changing the Battery
One of the simplest car repairs to do yourself, all you need to do is follow the right steps. Using wrenches, remove the black cable, install the new battery, and then replace the negative cable. It really is that simple, and when mechanics can charge in the hundreds to do this ten-minute job you could be saving yourself a lot of money. Make sure that you have a clear idea of the right steps and follow them precisely.
Chipped Windows
This can happen at any time and on any road, and it’s always greeted with a groan of frustration. Getting a windshield crack repaired can be very expensive, but you can get specialist windshield repair kits very cheaply online. All you have to do is clean the crack of any loose glass, attach the sealed pad, and apply the vacuum that comes with the kit. This can be done incredibly easily, and it should only take an hour to finish. The crack will then be much safer and won’t spread.
It might be a little daunting to make car repairs when you have never done it before, but with the vast array of car repair tutorials available, it always makes sense to check online before rolling into the garage. When car maintenance can be so expensive, taking the time to learn the basics could save you a lot more money than you think, and those skills will last you a lifetime.
