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If you’re the proud owner of a car or vehicle, you probably know the dread that comes with finding a problem. Whether the check engine light comes on, you notice odd squeaking sounds, or something just doesn’t seem quite right; your car is bound to have an issue at some point. The older a car is, the more likely they are to have problems. Vehicles are designed to last for many years, but constant use, bad weather conditions, and general wear and tear can be problematic. Some parts in cars and other vehicles are more prone to damage and breakage than others. Common offenders include belts, brakes, filters, fluid lines, and more. A mechanic or dealership is always willing to repair it for you, but they can be pricey. If you give yourself some time to master these basic car maintenance skills, you can save $1000s on repairs.
One of the simplest and most useful maintenance skills you should have is knowing how to change your oil. You should know where the oil is under the hood and how to use the stick to gauge how much you have. If you’re low and you’ve had an oil change recently, you can just add some more. If it’s time for a total change, there are a few more things to learn. You’ll want to jack up the front of your car to get to the oil pan. You can also use ramps if that’s easier for you. Locate the oil drain pan beneath the car. Place a collection pan below the oil plug, then use a ratchet to open the plug. Wait for the oil to drain completely, then put in a new drain plug. Find the oil filter (under the car or the hood), and carefully remove it. Replace it with a new, full filter and make sure it’s on nice and tight. The last step is to fill up the oil tank until the dipstick indicates that it’s full with your brand new oil! There are many helpful tutorials online if you’re just starting out. After a few oil changes, you’ll be a pro!
Another must-know vehicle maintenance skill is how to check tire pressure. It’s always a good idea to have a pressure gauge stored somewhere in the car/truck. They’re small and inexpensive but can save you a lot of trouble. Every so often, you want to make sure you check the tire pressure before you head out on the road. This is especially true if you live somewhere that gets very cold or if you notice that one or more tires seem to be a bit soft. You can find the pressure requirements on the driver’s side door panel of the vehicle. If any of your tires are not in the correct range, you’ll want to fill them up. You should also check to see if they are all equally low. If one tire is constantly losing pressure faster, there’s likely a leak. Many gas stations or car washes will have air pumping stations, or you can use a compressor if you have one at your house. Fill up the tires carefully, often checking to avoid over-inflation. This is a very simple car maintenance skill but essential for preventing driving on flat tires.
Before you take your car out for a drive next, check to make sure that you have everything you need to replace a flat tire should you ever get one. Each car is a bit different in terms of tools you may need, but the general Flat Tire Checklist consists of the following:
– A jack
– A lug wrench
– A spare tire or “doughnut”
– Tire pressure gauge
You’ll need to remove the hubcap, then the tire itself. Grab your spare and secure it in place, making sure it is adequately inflated. You should then make it a top priority to find a garage to replace the tire properly. Try to limit how much you drive on the spare, as they are meant for emergencies, not to replace a regular tire long-term. Be sure to find a safe stop to change a flat tire away from passing cars as much as possible. Learning this skill will let you get home sooner, and you won’t be stranded on the side of the road, hoping someone comes by who can help. You’re an independent person, so you should know how to help yourself out of a common car trouble situation!
A very common area of a vehicle that can wear down is the brakes. Brake pads can wear out; brake fluid can run low, brake plates can get damaged, etc. Obviously, brakes are imperative for safe driving, so problems aren’t something you can ignore. That being said, some brake repairs can be made at home! You’ll save money and time by doing it yourself, especially if you find salvaged, used, or refurbished replacement parts. Of course, you want to get the parts from a salvage yard you trust, like Airline Auto Parts. We check each part before they’re shipped out to make sure they’re safe. If they don’t pass inspection, we won’t sell them. Many of the cars we get have brake systems that are perfectly fine, so you shouldn’t have too much of a problem locating a part you need. You want to make sure you know what you’re doing when replacing brakes to avoid potential accidents. It’s best to work with a skilled repair person for your first few times so they can check your work. Make sure you get the parts specific to your make and model – made easy on https://airlineautoparts.net/ with our search tools!
Our last maintenance tip for this article is to know when to replace your wiper blades. Windshield wipers are the only thing between you and a rainy day accident, so replace them ASAP. Each car takes different wiper blades. Check your owner’s manual or do a quick Google search to find the size(s) you need. Some cars have one long blade and one short, and you want to get those specs before you head to the store or make a purchase online. Luckily, wiper blades are super easy to change out, so it’s only a 5-minute job. Signs you want to replace your wiper blades include:
– It’s not clearing off the whole windshield
– The rubber is hanging off
– It jumps or sputters as it moves
– It squeaks, even when there is a lot of rain
– The rubber or plastic is missing chunks
If you notice any of these telltale signs of an old wiper blade, it’s time to grab a new one. By new, we mean new to you; there’s no reason why you can’t save some money and get salvaged wiper blades. Many people incorrectly assume that cars in salvage yards are old and broken down, but that’s not always the case. Some parts are damaged beyond repair, but others, like wiper blades, might be in perfect condition! Check out Airline Auto Parts to see if we have your wiper blades in stock.
The more care maintenance tips and skills you have under your belt, the better off you’ll be. Impress your friends with your knowledge, save $1000s in repair costs, and be your own boss. When you make repairs yourself, you know everything is being done to your standard, and you don’t have to pay labor fees. These are only a few of the many self-repairable issues vehicles can have, so don’t limit your knowledge to just what you see here. Whenever you have repairs to make, head over to Airline Auto Parts first. We have acres of cars and car parts, conveniently organized by year, make, and model. You can search online for exactly what you need and get it shipped right to your front door. Visit https://airlineautoparts.net/ and start hunting today!
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