Cars fall apart. We all know that, but most of us don’t think about it until something breaks. And then we’re stuck paying an arm and a leg for repairs. But it certainly does not have to be that way – if you have the right parts on hand (which you can buy online), some basic knowledge, and a few tools in your garage, you can do most car repairs yourself. All it takes is a little time and effort, but the benefits are long-term. Here’s a look at three auto repairs you can do on your own.
Changing Brake Pads
You probably don’t know it, but brake pads are easy to change. The auto industry wants you to think changing your own brake pads is complicated, so you take your car in for expensive service, but it’s usually not. To change the brake pads, all you need are some pliers, basic wrenches, a set of jack stands, and a jack. You can buy a new set of brake pads for between $20 and $40, based on the pad material and brand and model of the car you use. To complete the procedure, simply take off the wheel, pull out all the hardware, push the caliper piston in, and install the new pads. Once this is done, you can go ahead and reinstall the hardware. You should be able to do this for all four wheels in about an hour.
Changing the Battery
The battery is the most important thing in your vehicle. It provides power to your starter, ignition, and electrical accessories that start the car running. The lack of a functioning battery will leave you stranded on a roadside, but don’t worry; learning how to change a car battery the right way is easy. All you need is a few wrenches and around 30 minutes of time. But keep in mind that the order in which you remove the cables is extremely important. First, you’ll need to remove the negative (black) cable. Then, install the new battery and replace the negative (black) cable last. If you do it in a different order, you may end up short-circuiting the positive terminal.
Changing the Oil
A lube change could cost you up to $70, if not more. But you can do it pretty quickly on your own. All you need to do is purchase the best oil you can afford, an oil filter wrench, and a drain pain. Then, look up oil change videos online and simply follow the procedure.
