Check and maintenance the battery in car with yourself. Service and maintenance car or vehicle.
Although most modern automobiles are becoming increasingly sophisticated, not every repair or maintenance job requires a skilled technician. There are plenty of easy tasks that motorists with no mechanical skills can do to avoid paying an auto shop – including the following eight do-it-yourself projects that you can complete from the convenience of your driveway.
- Changing a cabin air filter. These devices improve air quality in cars, screening out dust and pollen to keep ventilation systems running smoothly. You should be able to find the location of the car’s filter with the vehicle owner’s manual. The filter may be under the dashboard, behind the glove box, or under the hood.
Changing a filter is “super easy,” and should be replaced a minimum of once a year, although some experts recommend every six months – especially these days, with coronavirus concerns. Essentially, “If the filter is dirty, you are breathing dirty air.”
Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes when replacing filters. Remove the screws, clips, or wingnuts that hold the filter housing in place. Next, remove the cover. Clean the compartment before installing a new filter. Use a cloth and a vacuum cleaner to remove dirt and dust. The final step is replacing the screws or clips.
- Replacing a taillight bulb. To replace a taillight bulb, gain access to it through the taillight housing. The owner’s manual will tell you how to do this. Depending on the car, you may be able to reach the rear bulbs through panels inside the trunk or through the hatch.
Once you have the taillight housing open, remove the bulbs. Take them to an auto parts store to purchase matching replacements or have someone at the store look up the proper bulb, using the vehicle’s year, make and model. Put everything back in place after you install the new bulb.
- Replacing windshield wiper blades. Sunlight, rain, and dirt damage rubber blades over time. Install a new set when your blades no longer remove raindrops from the windshield without smears and streaks.
It’s much cheaper to replace a set of windshield wiper blades yourself than to give the job to a mechanic. Find the correct replacement blades for your car’s make and model at an auto parts store. The blades come with instructions for installation, but it’s a good idea to also consult the owner’s manual.
Many wiper arms have tabs that can be pushed to remove old blades. Be careful not to damage the wiper arms by bending them too far back from the windshield when replacing the blades. It’s a good idea to buy premium, high-quality replacement blades since visibility is so important to safe driving.
- Checking the tire pressure. Use a tire gauge to check tire pressure yourself. The recommended tire pressure usually can be found on the inside of the driver’s side door frame or in the owner’s manual. Tire pressure is measured in pounds per square inch (or psi). Experts recommend checking your air pressure at least once a month. It’s quick and easy, and maintaining the right air pressure improves safety and saves money on fuel.
Air expands when you drive, so test the tires when they’re cool. Edmunds.com recommends waiting a half-hour for warm tires to cool down to get a true reading.
When you check the air, make sure the valve cap has no cracks. Place the exposed end of the gauge onto the valve stem. When taking a reading, make sure there is no hissing, which indicates air is escaping. Replace the valve cap when you’re done.
- Maintaining a battery. According to AAA,the simplest part of maintaining a battery is keeping its case clean. Dirt and oil on the case can cause a power drain. Clean the case by wiping it with paper towels moistened with a mild detergent. Cracks or bulges may indicate the battery needs to be replaced.
Visually inspect battery posts and terminals for corrosion and damaged connections. Corrosion can be cleaned with a 50/50 solution of baking soda and water applied with a small, stiff brush and rinsed with clean water.
Be careful whenever you work with car batteries, which contain sulfuric acid and can cause chemical burns. AAA recommends wearing eye protection, gloves and protective clothing.
- Replacing an engine air filter. An air filter protects the car’s engine from dust. AAArecommends changing the engine air filter at least every 20,000 miles, and more often in severe driving conditions. To check the air filter, remove it from its housing and hold it up to a bright light. If light does not pass easily through more than half of the filter, it probably needs to be replaced.
If you have an extended-life engine air filter made of dense fabric, follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for replacement.
Most air filter casings are held together by large metal clips that can be opened with a flat-head screwdriver. In some cases, long screws need to be removed to get to the filter. Vacuum out the filter box before installing a new filter.
- Replacing fuses. If an electronic device in your car isn’t working, check to see if there is a bad fuse. The owner’s manual will help you locate the fuse box and explain how to open it. Many fuse box covers can be removed by hand or with the aid of a flat-head screwdriver. Fuse boxes in older cars may not have covers.
Once you’ve located the fuse box, determine which fuse isn’t working. The owner’s manual should provide a chart that shows which fuses correspond to which electrical devices and functions.
Fuse boxes typically come with a small plastic tool to remove and install fuses, according to NAPA (National Automotive Parts Association). You also may be able to use a pair of needle-nosed pliers to remove a fuse, but be very careful not to damage it.
If you find a fuse that contains a metal link that’s broken, it has blown and needs to be replaced. If you don’t have a set of spares, buy a replacement at an auto parts store. Be sure to find the same amperage rating to ensure the car operates properly.
Source: Money Talks News
