DIY mechanics

Bank holidays see hordes of homeowners descend upon the nearest DIY stores, confident that armed with a drill, a flat-pack unit and a tin of paint they can create a whole new look for the living room. So, how much of this DIY enthusiasm can you transfer to looking after your second most expensive purchase after the house – your car?

Do your homework
Unlike home DIY, carrying out basic repairs and maintenance on your vehicle probably won’t save you a great deal of money in the short-term. You will have to buy tools, attend courses and invest a considerable amount of your time. Therefore, you should view it as a hobby, primarily rather than a money-saving venture.
As with any project, good preparation is the key. Buy a decent car manual such as those published by Haynes. Each one is dedicated to a particular car make and model. It will show you how to service and repair in a simple way with diagrams, tell you which tools you need, and approximately how long a job should take. Read it thoroughly to acquaint yourself with your vehicle Devote plenty of time studying the aspect you are planning to tackle before attempting any maintenance or repairs on your vehicle.

Be realistic
The next important point is to know your limitations. If you are a beginner, it would be foolhardy to try to change an exhaust or a clutch plate. Should problems arise with the repair you are attempting, avoid the temptation to carry on regardless as you could do more damage. Instead, contact a professional mechanic to rectify it as soon as possible. Another point to note is that most modern cars are considerably more complex than older models. Most garages now plug vehicles into a computer to diagnose a fault, which means at home you will probably only be able to deal with very minor problems and maintenance.

DIY car maintenance
One way to avoid mishaps is to start off with small, simple jobs, such as an oil change, fitting new spark plugs or a new battery, changing a bulb. For more information see our article on car maintenance. It is also worth investing in some training – local further education colleges normally offer evening classes in basic car maintenance.

To ensure your car stays in good condition, carry out weekly checks. It is easier than undertaking repairs and can help prolong your vehicle’s life.

Make sure all the lights are working; check your tyres (paying particular attention to tread depth, signs of damage and pressure). Next, open the bonnet and inspect car belts and hoses, looking out for cracks and tears. Check the oil levels (when the engine is cold), be aware of any signs that fluids are leaking (water from the radiator, oil compartment etc). Most modern day batteries are sealed but if your type of battery allows it, you can inspect the levels by pulling the two covers off and ensuring there is enough water in each cell. If they are accessible, you can also check for corrosion on the connections, which you can remove with a wire brush.

Finally, check your vehicle’s brakes. The brake master cylinder is usually mounted on the firewall directly in front of the driver’s seat. Pop the cap off and check brake fluid levels – they need to be kept full. You should refer to your car’s manual for the correct fluid grade. If you need to keep adding fluid, you may have a leak in the system, and this needs immediate attention.

As a general rule, do not attempt a repair if you are not confident in your ability to tackle it and leave yourself plenty of time to finish the job, so you are not still battling away at nightfall.

Why not get a quote on your car insurance from us today?