You don’t need to be a mechanic to perform a few of these DIY car repairs and save yourself some time and money. Most of these DIYs take very little know-how and take very little time. Not to mention, you’ll save hundreds of dollars while keeping your car in a healthier state.
Changing Your Brake Pads
Brake pads are inexpensive—replacing them yourself can save you hundreds of dollars. New brake pads usually cost about $30. Before you buy, look up what kind you need for your car’s make and model. If you take your car into the shop to get your brake pads changed, you’ll likely pay closer to $250 per axle. You will have to remove your wheel and some other hardware to reach the brake pads. To learn the specifics of your car, you can probably find a tutorial specific to your make and model on YouTube. Brake pads should be replaced about every 30,000-50,000 miles.
Routine Oil Changes
Oil changes should be done on your car regularly. Learning to do them yourself will save you both time and money. All you need is an oil filter, oil, a drain pan, an oil filter wrench, and a jack. Investing in these tools will help you save money in the long run. Your car will likely say in the owner’s manual how often it needs oil changes.
Replacing an Air Filter
In most cases, an air filter replacement is very simple. An air filter typically costs between $15-$20. But if you go to a repair shop, you’ll likely pay closer to $150 for an air filter replacement. Prices tend to get marked up with labor costs and parts. Replacing your filter will differ based on your car, but in most cases, you open the hood of the car, unscrew the air filter housing, and swap out the old for the new. Simple as that. You can save big with this one!
Fixing a Chipped Windshield
Getting a windshield repair kit on Amazon makes this one easy. These kits go for about $10-$15. Fixing the chip includes digging out any loose glass, cleaning the area, and sticking a small device to the windshield that will seal the area around the rock chip. This process is simple, easy, and quick. No need to invest in a new windshield or let the chip create a crack.
Replacing Your Windshield Wipers
A new set of windshield wipers is about $30 on average. This replacement is extremely easy. You can get wiper blades online, on Amazon, at an auto shop, or at a local Target or Walmart. The old wipers slide right out, and the new ones slide in. It’s that easy. This DIY will save you loads of time and money.
Replace a Headlight or Taillight
Often times, replacing headlights and taillights is just a matter of changing a light bulb. When you go to the store to get your replacement bulbs, bring the old bulb with you to ensure that you get the right one. Be sure that you don’t touch the bulb with your bare hands, it can damage the bulb.