DIY Car Maintenance

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Regular car maintenance is important as it can help extend the life of your vehicle while giving it the best performance. Car maintenance can cost a pretty penny if you take it into a shop. Although some maintenance may require a mechanic there are actually some tasks you can do yourself that are fairly easy and won’t break your wallet. Check out these car maintenance tips you can do yourself.

DIY Car Maintenance

Replace Air Filter.
It is recommended that you replace your air filter as needed when visibly dirty. It can be done in ten minutes by locating the air filter under the hood, opening the case and replace it with the new one. When you get the new air filter in the case make sure to put the case back on securing the nuts on it.

Check Tire Pressure.
Before you check your pressure make sure to check to see what your tires are supposed to have in them.  Then use a tire pressure gauge by unscrewing the valve cap and pressing the tire gauge into the valve stem. The number will appear on the gauge of your current tire pressure. Replace the valve cap and check the rest of the tires. If you need to add some air to them you can use an air pump at home or one at our local gas station.

Did you know that you can check your tire pressure inside your car door?

I had no idea you could do this until my husband pointed it out to me. Open the driver side door where you will find a sticker in the door jamb. On that sticker will give you the recommended inflation pressure you need for your tires. I was told that it is better to get this information from the sticker rather than the actual tires as it is more accurate.

Windshield Wipers.
You should change out your wiper blades every 6 months to a year depending on the condition of them. This will help ensure the safety of you being able to see out your windshield especially in different weather conditions. To change them out just lift the current wipers up till they lock and remove the old blades by pushing the tab. Line up the new blades and make sure they lock and secured.

Battery.
Everyone once in a while is good to check the condition of your battery with a battery checker and cleaning terminals. Some auto parts stores offer free battery checking right in the parking lot. To clean, remove the battery cables (negative side first) and clean the posts of the battery with a wire brush and equal parts of baking soda and water when you notice corrosion. Rinse with water and dry with a rag. Attach the battery cables (positive side first) making sure they are tight.

Headlights.
Regular cleaning of your vehicle’s headlights can help increase your visibility at night. There are several ways you can clean them by using a glass cleaner, soap and water, or toothpaste. I recommend cleaning them every few months to get the dirt, grim and bugs off of them. If you need to change out a bulb be sure to read the car manual to find out how to do so as each vehicle is different.

Check Fluid Levels.
Keep your car running smoothly by checking the fluid levels under the hood and fill them up if needed. Before you check any fluid make sure you are parked on level ground and the engine is cool. To check the engine oil remove the dipstick and wipe off with a rag. Dip it in again and pull it out to see where the oil is on the line. If it’s to the line it is full if it is low you may need some oil. Check the brake fluid, coolant, power steering and windshield washer fluid in the appropriate containers under the hood to see if they are full. If not, add the right fluid to each container.

To check the transmission fluid you need to start your car and let it warm up. It is the other dipstick located next to the oil dipstick. Pull it out and wipe it off and then put it back in. Read the level and check the color. It should be a reddish color and the fluid should go in between the 2 dips in the sticks to know that it is full.

Oil Change.
It is recommended to change your oil every 3,000 miles or manufacture’s recommendation. If you don’t know how to change your oil there are several tutorials online or on YouTube to watch and learn how. I recommend using Pennzoil as it is designed for complete protection, helps clean out sludge lesser oils leave behind, provides better protection from friction and will allow you to drive an extra of 550 miles per year vs. a dirty engine. There are 2 kinds of Pennzoil listed below you can use depending on the type of vehicle you have. I use the Platinum (synthetic motor oil) on my mini van.

High Mileage Vehicle – Helps to reduce leaks and oil consumption in worn or higher mileage engines. It’s a motor oil that is specifically designed for new or late-model vehicles with over 75,000 miles, to help keep the engines running clean and going strong for a long time.

Platinum (synthetic motor oil) – Best cleanliness and protection in the Pennzoil line-up. With PurePlus™ Technology, the Platinum® motor oil is proven to keep pistons up to 40% cleaner than the toughest industry standard. PurePlus™ Technology is a revolutionary process that converts natural gas into a 99.5% pure base oil.

The best part is that many of the Pennzoil products are on Rollback right now at Walmart.com for a limited time.  Walmart.com is a one stop shop for all your needs and you can save your gas, and avoid the crowds by ordering online. It’s quick, simple and arrives right at your doorstep in time for the next oil change or anything else you may need. Or if you need it now you can order it online and pick it up in the store or choose curbside assistance (if available). Talk about convenience!

Do you have any car maintenance tips you would like to share?