Car maintenance is important for keeping your car running smoothly. Even if you’re not a mechanic, there are some basic repairs that everyone should know when you find your vehicle on Autozin and then vehicle breaks down to prevent costly damage and inconvenience. This article will teach you ten of them.
- Changing a Flat Tire
If you find yourself with a flat tire, don’t panic. Changing a tire is not difficult, as long as you have the right tools. You’ll need a jack and a lug wrench, but simply follow the instructions in your owner’s manual once you have them.
To start:
- Loosen the lug nuts on the flat tire with the lug wrench (but don’t remove them).
- Use the jack to lift the car off the ground so that you can remove the flat tire and replace it with the spare.
- Once the new tire is in place, tighten the lug nuts back up (following the instructions in your owner’s manual).
- Lower the car back down to the ground, and you’re good to go!
Of course, it’s always best to avoid getting a flat tire in the first place. Be sure to check your tires regularly for any signs of wear and tear, and keep them inflated to the proper pressure. If you take these precautions, you’ll be much less likely to find yourself stranded on the side of the road.
- Refilling Windshield Wiper Fluid
If your windshield wipers are leaving streaks on the glass, it’s time to refill the windshield wiper fluid. This is a simple repair that anyone can do.
Locate the windshield wiper fluid reservoir under the hood of your car and unscrew the cap. Pour in the new fluid until the reservoir is full, then screw the cap back on. That’s all there is to it!
- Checking and Replacing Fuses
Fuses are designed to blow if your car has an electrical problem. If one of your car’s accessories – like the headlights or radio – suddenly stops working, it may be because a fuse has blown.
To check if this is the problem, open up your car’s fuse box (usually located under the dash) and take a look at the diagram. This will tell you which fuse corresponds to which accessory. Find the blown a fuse and replace it with a new one of the same amperage.
- Replacing a Headlight Bulb
If one of your headlights has burned out, you’ll need to replace the headlight bulb. Fortunately, this is not a difficult repair. Simply find the old bulb in your headlight assembly and unscrew it. Then, screw in the new bulb, and you’re all done!
- Jump-Starting a Dead Battery
If your car doesn’t start, it may be because the battery is dead. If this is the case, you may be able to jump-start it using another car’s battery.
First, ensure both cars have their engines off and the keys out of the ignition. Then, connect one battery’s positive (red) terminal to the positive terminal of the other. Next, do the same for the negative (black) terminals. Finally, start the working car’s engine and let it run for a few minutes. Then, try starting your car. If it starts, you can disconnect the jumper cables and be on your way!
Of course, if your battery is truly dead, jumping it may not work. In that case, you’ll need to replace it.
- Adding Engine Oil
If your car is low on oil, adding more as soon as possible is important. Low oil levels can cause serious engine damage, so keeping the oil at the proper level is best.
Locate the dipstick under the hood to check your car’s oil level and pull it out. Wipe it off with a rag, and then insert it back into the tube. Pull it out again and check the level. You’ll need to add more oil if it’s below the “full” line.
To do this, simply remove the oil fill cap (usually located near the dipstick) and pour in new oil until the level is back up to where it should be. Then, screw the cap back on, and you’re all set!
- Checking Tire Pressure
It’s important to keep your tires inflated to the proper pressure. Not only does this improve gas mileage, but it also helps to prevent flat tires. Fortunately, checking tire pressure is a simple repair that anyone can do.
Here’s how you do it:
- Locate the valve stem on each tire (it looks like a small metal cap).
- Use a tire gauge to check the pressure in each tire and add air if necessary.
- Consult your owner’s manual for the correct tire pressure for your car.
- Adding Coolant
If your car is low on coolant, adding more as soon as possible is important. Coolant helps to keep your engine from overheating, so it’s important to keep the level full.
To check your coolant level:
- Locate the reservoir under the hood and unscrew the cap.
- Check the level and add more if necessary.
- Use the correct type of coolant for your car. You can either check online or refer to the car manual on the type of coolant you need to use on your car.
- Changing spark plugs.
If you notice your car is starting to run a little rough, one of the first things you should check is the spark plugs. Over time, they can become fouled with carbon deposits and need to be replaced. It’s a pretty simple process that anyone can do with a little time and the right tools. Here’s how you do it.
- Locate the spark plugs in your engine (consult your owner’s manual if you’re unsure where they are) and unscrew them with a spark plug wrench.
- Screw in the new plugs by hand until they’re snug.
- Use the wrench to give them each a quarter turn more.
That’s it – you’re all done!
- Checking/Changing the Cabin Air Filter
The cabin air filter helps to keep the air inside your car clean and free of pollen, dust, and other airborne contaminants. Over time, it can become clogged with dirt and must be replaced. Fortunately, this is a simple repair that anyone can do.
- Locate the cabin air filter (consult your owner’s manual if you’re unsure where it is) and remove it from its housing.
- Inspect it and replace it if necessary.
- Insert the new filter into the housing, and you’re all done!
Conclusion
There you have it – ten simple car repairs that anyone can do. By taking care of these things regularly, you can help keep your car in good shape and avoid more serious (and expensive) problems down the road. So get out there and start fixing those cars!