Rachelle Wilber 2m 503
The views of this article are the perspective of the author and may not be reflective of Confessions of the Professions.
Depending on how you use your car, it might just be a tool for getting around town or getting out of town. In either case, you still have to maintain the car. Knowing what you can do for car servicing and what to leave to professionals gives you the best of both worlds.
Doing Things Yourself
Doing things on your own can be very tempting. Fortunately, there are a number of car servicing tasks you can do on your own:
Air Filter Changes: This gets clogged after time and loses efficiency. It only costs a few bucks and is relatively easy to replace.
Belt Replacements: Nearly all modern vehicles use serpentine belts for all the engine accessories to operate. They live a hard life and need replacing at intervals.
Brake Fluid Flush: This task is often overlooked but prevents corrosion and moisture in the braking system.
Gear Oil Flush: Transmission and differential fluids need replacement at certain intervals, but you might need a fluid pump.
Oil Changes: Possibly your engine’s most crucial fluid, motor oil is less effective at lubrication over time. Changing it is something anyone can do.
Spark Plug Replacements: Fresh plugs optimize your ignition system and are cheap and easy to buy.
Tire Rotation: Rotating these every six months keeps the wear and tear on them balanced and even.
If you are going to attempt a repair on your own, it would be a good idea to do some research beforehand. Search online and if you become confused it’s okay to leave something to the professionals.
Leaving Things to the Professionals
Some tasks are better off in the hands of professionals. They have the tools, equipment, and training you don’t. As such, you should turn to Family Auto Service or someone close to you for the following:
Airbag Service: This crucial component of a vehicle crash system has explosive charges for fast inflation. Messing with an airbag is generally a bad idea.
Bodywork: This kind of restorative work needs the skilled hands of a trained sheet metal worker.
Clutch Replacement: This replacement usually requires lifting the engine right out of the car.
Engine Work: An engine overhaul is not a novice task. Let professionals help your engine last more than 200,000 miles.
Wheel Alignment: Special equipment is necessary to get this task done.
Windshield Replacement: Full-blown cracks require total replacement and special training.
Make sure you sort your vehicle maintenance to-do list accordingly to save money when you can but also be sure the work is done right.
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