From rotating your tires and changing oil, maintaining your car can be expensive and feel like a lot of work. According to a study, it costs approximately $5,264.58 per year to own a car in the US. This includes other expenses like insurance, gas, part replacement, among other car payments. For many people, they think that car maintenance and repair jobs are too complex to do by themselves. But is that the case? Not exactly. It is true that some jobs are daunting and best left for professionals, but there are a few that you can do yourself. Here are a few that you can take easily and quickly on a budget.
Air filter
You need a new air filter after each year or 12,000 miles, depending on the vehicle. You can either pay a mechanic for this simple work or handle it yourself in about than ten minutes. You need to locate your filter. It is usually contained in a rectangular box fitted with clips on the sides. Open the casing, take note of how the filter sits inside. You can then proceed to replace the old one and close the metal clips when completed. You just saved yourself some dollars. Hit the new filter with some compressed air to remove any debris and extend your new filter’s life.
Wipe your windshield
It’s common to see your local auto parts store selling wiper blades and offering free installation. Fortunately, you don’t need technical training to change your six months or year-old wiper. You probably go much longer before talking to your mechanic for a wiper change. Wiper blades may be different from car to car so take a look at the owner’s manual to know how to go about it. The process is easy and worthy of learning.
Cleaning battery terminals
It is easy to assume you need a battery change when it keeps dying. Have you checked your battery terminals for any signs of rust or corrosion? Corroded terminals strain your charging system, which means you will need to change your batteries frequently. You can clean the terminals using a water and baking soda solution, and a wire brush. If there is green visible corrosion on the copper cables or won’t clamp firmly, you should consider a battery replacement. Fortunately, they are contract service plans like the one from Cars Protection Plus to help handle all your auto service needs.
Clean your headlight
It can be hard and dangerous to travel at night with a gunky, cloudy headlight. Fortunately, there is no point in spending your hard-earned cash on replacing a cloudy headlight. For about $20, you can get a replacement, follow the manufacturer’s guide for installing clear headlights for improved visibility.