How can I Save Money with My Car Maintenance?
Q: How can I save money with my car maintenance?
A: While it’s always recommended to consult a professional, there are some smaller car maintenance tasks that you may be able to do on your own to save money.
The site Savy New Canadians offers these 13 car maintenance tips you could DIY to keep some cash in your wallet.
1. REPLACE WINDSHIELD WIPERS
In the grand scheme of DIY car maintenance, this task is one of the easiest. You should consider replacing your car’s windshield wiper every year or so, and definitely if it’s starting to streak or make squeaking sounds. Purchase a set of wiper blades, remove the old ones and clip on the new replacement.
Time: 10 to 15 minutes
Estimated cost: $20
Tools required: None. In some cases, a flat-head screwdriver may come in handy to pry open clips that are stuck.
2. REPLACE AIR FILTER
The engine and cabin air filters become clogged with dust and other debris over time causing your engine to work harder and negatively impacting your mileage. This may also result in your car cabin filling up with dust and pollen. Replacing air filters is an easy DIY task. The engine air filter is usually found somewhere under the hood, while the cabin air filter can be found under the dashboard area.
Time: 10 to 20 minutes
Estimated cost: $20 per filter
Tools required: None
3. REPLACE BATTERIES
When your car’s battery dies or starts to show signs it is nearing the end of its useful life, it’s easy to replace it with a new one. However, before your battery needs a replacement, you can keep it in top shape by inspecting the battery periodically. Remove the battery terminal and clean off any corrosion or mineral deposits with a rag or brush and corrosion-removal fluid, or a mixture of baking soda and water. When replacing a battery, remove the negative terminal first and reconnect it last. Tighten the brackets to ensure the battery doesn’t move around while the car is in motion. Ensure you buy the right sized battery with enough power (Cold Cranking Amps – CCA) and Reserve Capacity (RC).
Time: 20 to 30 minutes
Estimated cost: $80 to $100
Tools required: Wrench set, vice pliers or screwdriver, wire brush, rag, and anti-corrosion solution.
4. REPLACE HEAD LIGHT & TAIL LIGHT BULBS
It’s pretty easy to replace most burned-out bulbs in cars. Remove the old bulb and take it along when shopping for a new one to ensure you buy the right size and specification. Avoid touching the glass bulb when replacing to prevent it from burning out quickly when you leave the grease and debris from your hands on the glass surface. Wear clean gloves. If you mistakenly touch the surface of the bulb with your bare hands, clean it off using alcohol wipes or rubbing alcohol.
Time: 20 minutes
Estimated cost: $20 – Can vary a lot depending on specs
Tools required: Screwdriver, or none
5. REPLACE BLOWN FUSES
If your car’s radio suddenly quits or lights don’t come on and replacement bulbs don’t do the trick, it may be that a fuse has blown. Find the fuse box and remove the cover. Your owner’s manual should have a diagram stating what component of the car is controlled by each fuse. Find the blown fuse and replace it with a new one that’s of similar amperage. If after replacement, the fuse blows up again, your car may have an underlying electrical problem requiring the attention of a mechanic.
Time: 20 minutes
Tools required: Needle-nose pliers
6. TOP UP & REPLACE FLUIDS
Regularly check to ensure your car’s fluids are at the right levels. These include the brake fluid, power steering fluid, windshield washer fluid, oil, and radiator coolant. Topping up is easy – you need to purchase the right product, get a funnel, and top up till you reach the “full” indicator line. Keep a close eye on the different warning light indicators on your dashboard. If one of them comes on, find out what it means by looking at your owner’s manual. You can partially replace dirty/old brake and power steering fluids. Use a turkey baster to siphon the old fluids in the reservoir and replace it with new fluids. Ensure you only use the recommended fluid specs for your car.
Time: 20 to 30 minutes
Estimated cost: Depends on the amount of fluids you’re replacing or topping up with
Tools required: Funnel, baster, rag, and container to hold old fluids
7. FLUSH RADIATOR
A car’s radiator requires cleaning after a while due to an accumulation of deposits, rust and other debris. Drain the radiator and grab a coolant flush to clean it out. Be careful when working around a hot radiator as you could get burned. A radiator flush should occur about every 5 years. Check your owner’s manual for timelines.
Time: 30 to 40 minutes
Estimated cost: $40
Tools required: Wrench, screwdriver, radiator flush, funnel, and a container to empty the old coolant into
8. MONITOR TIRES
Monitor your tires for wear and tear to avoid them blowing up on you when you least expect. Check for bulges, uneven wear, and other damage. When the tread depth of a tire reaches 4/32″ or less, consider replacing it. Check the cold tire pressure on a routine basis and ensure tires are inflated as recommended in your owner’s manual (and definitely never beyond the maximum pressure noted on the tire itself). Under-inflated tires use more fuel, and over-inflating your tires can increase the risk of a blow-out.
Time: 5 to 10 minutes
Tools required: Tire pressure gauge and compressed air
9. CHANGE SPARK PLUGS
As your car gets older, you may need to replace the spark plugs more frequently. This isn’t a difficult project, but it can easily appear tricky to the newbie DIY’er. If you’re starting to experience a loss of power, poor fuel economy, misfires, rough idling, etc., it may be due to worn-out spark plugs.
Time: 45-60 minutes
Estimated cost: $60
Tools required: Spark plug socket and extensions, torque wrench
10. CHANGE OIL & FILTER
Your owner’s manual will recommend how often to change your car’s engine oil. An oil change is often not required as frequently as your dealership/mechanic advise. Always change the oil filter whenever you carry out an oil change. If you drive an older car, you should consider checking the oil levels routinely so you can top it up when required. Simply pull out the dipstick, clean it, re-dip, and then read the oil level. Choose the correct oil type and grade for your vehicle as recommended in the owner’s manual. One thing to consider before you DIY this though is that it’s not so easy disposing of the used oil appropriately.
Time: 30 to 45 minutes
Estimated cost: $30
Tools required: Wrench, funnel, and oil pan
11. TOUCH-UP PAINT SCRATCHES & CHIPS
If your car’s paint job suffers a scratch or chip, you should plan to fix it ASAP before rust sets in and it becomes difficult for paint to stick. For a basic paint touch-up job, find the paint code number for your car (using the VIN) and purchase the appropriate colour paint and clear coat.
Time and cost: Depends on the extent of touch-up required
Tools required: Paint pen or syringe (base and clear coat), wax/grease remover, spot sanding tool, sandpaper (different grits), rust remover, and brush
12. REPLACE BRAKE PADS
Your car’s braking systems and brake pads should always be in good shape since poor braking ability can result in a fatal accident. If you have vehicle knowledge and you’re willing to push yourself a bit, replacing your car’s brake pads is not difficult, particularly if other parts of the brake system are in good working order. You know your brake pads may need replacing when you start hearing the classic squealing or metallic grinding sounds, if the brake warning lights come on, the steering wheel may vibrate, or you may just feel it takes longer for your car to come to a stop. Brake pads that are less than 1/4 inches thick should be replaced.
Time: 60 minutes
Estimated cost: $40 per axle
Tools required: Hydraulic jack, wrenches, hammer, C-clamp, wire brush, and WD-40
13. DETAIL WITH CONFIDENCE
Thinking about saving some money? Consider detailing your car routinely and you’ll not only save money, but you’ll also keep your car looking brilliant for a long time to come, and slow its depreciation. There are many options when it comes to supplies for cleaning your alloy wheels, waxing and polishing the interior and exterior, and cleaning and restoring upholstery.
Tools: Microfiber towels, vacuum and attachments, washing mitt, soap, wax, garden hose, window cleaning fluid, gloves, leather cleaner and conditioner.
IMPORTANT TIPS
Doing it yourself can save you money, but always ensure the following to avoid a disaster that could easily cost you more than your savings:
Know your limits and only DIY what you’re comfortable doing.
Stay safe and use appropriate safety gear – wear eye protection, gloves, and other PPE as required.
Read the owner’s manual and follow the recommendations written there for parts specifications.