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Car Maintenance is unavoidable and necessary to stay safe on the road. Save some money and time by trying to complete some basic repairs yourself! Some of the things you might think need a professional can easily be done by you, so here are some resources for you to fix your car on your own.
If you ever feel unsafe performing these tasks, go to a professional. Your safety is the most important thing. Also, there are many different makes and models of cars, so if you feel you need more visual learning or your car is unique, go to YouTube and search for what you need!
Lastly, it is very important to follow the maintenance schedule for your car!
Windshield Wipers
Windshield Wipers
When to change the windshield wipers:
You should change your windshield wipers once a year
When there is streaking across your windshield
When the wipers do not lay flat against the windshield
Fluids you can change on your own:
oil, anti-freeze/ cooler, and windshield wiper fluid
If you need to change other fluids, we would recommend seeing a professional
How do I know what windshield wipers I need?
There are different types and sizes of windshield wipers, so make sure that you buy the ones specific to your car. Either go to a car shop that has charts with the size you need or search for windshield wipers for your make and model online.
How do I change my windshield wipers?
How do I change my windshield wiper fluid?
Buy the windshield wiper fluid of your choosing
New tire on the left and bald and old tire on the right.
Tires
Tires
What does rotating your tires mean?
Rotating tires means moving them from one wheel to another and from left to right, back to front, or even diagonally.
Why rotate tires?
Tires tend to wear unevenly. The front tires tend to wear on the outside edges because the tire leans over when you turn a corner.
When should the tires be rotated?
Tires should be rotated approximately every 5,000 – 8,000 miles or sooner if signs of irregular or uneven tire wear appear.
When should I check my air pressure?
Monthly.
How long do tires last on average?
On average, tires last about six years or between 36,000-75,000 miles. However, the actual lifespan of tires varies with factors like climate, maintenance, and driving habits. No matter how they look, tires should never be used for longer than 10 years.
Changing a tire:
Jump Start a Dead Battery
Jump Start a Dead Battery
Car batteries generally need to be replaced every five years. Your battery is dead if your car is not turning on when you turn your key or press the engine button. Check out the video at the bottom!
What you need: another car to jump your battery and the cables needed to connect them. (keep a pair of cables in your vehicle)
Bring the Engines Close
Ideally, the two engines should be within two feet of one another.
Shut off Power In Both Cars
Connect Positive to Positive:
Start by connecting the positive (often red) clamps of the jumper cables to the positive terminals of your battery. These are often marked, but they can be hard to see. Be sure to look closely.
Connect Negative to Negative:
Connect the negative (often black) clamps of the jumper cable to the negative terminal of the live battery. In your car, stick the negative terminal to an unpainted metal surface.
Safety First!
Remember, when connecting the positive cables to the batteries, you should always start by connecting the dead battery first. If you feed energy into the cables before they are connected to your battery, you can cause a safety hazard. If you feel unsure or unsafe at any point, it is important to call for professional help instead of risking your safety.
Start the Working Car:
You can give the engine some gas and then leave it running for a couple of minutes while it charges up your battery.
Start your Car:
Start your vehicle while it is still connected. If it doesn’t start --> give it another minute and then try again.
Disconnect the Cables:
Carefully disconnect the cables in the order reverse from their placement in the vehicles. Disconnect the negative cable from your car, then the negative cable from the other car, then the positive cable from your car, and, finally, the positive cable from the other car.
Remember, your battery charges while you drive. After getting your car started, consider taking the scenic route to your destination to give your battery the time it needs to recharge. Even if your battery jumps and recharges, this initial dead battery is a sign that you are due for a replacement.
Bring your vehicle to a local mechanic at your earliest convenience.
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