Not every car owner needs to be extremely handy or be able to take on any type of car repair. There are, however, some common auto problems that just about anyone can reasonably take on themselves—it just takes a little bit of research to know exactly what you’re doing.
Here’s some info from an Audi repair shop in Conway, AR about the most common types of problems anyone can fix:
- Flat tires: This is one of the most common types of repair jobs people have to make on their own vehicles, and it’s a good skill to have, considering it could prevent you from having to call for roadside assistance. Every vehicle should have a spare tire in the trunk, unless you’ve already used yours. Inside that spare tire is typically a small car jack with a lever and lug nut ratchet. Put the jack on a stable part of your car frame, pump up the vehicle, take off the lug nuts and put on the donut, making sure to properly re-tighten the nuts and bring the jack down slowly and carefully.
- Dead battery: Have a car that won’t start? Take a look at the battery and see if there’s any corrosion. If there is, clean it off with a metal brush. Then unbolt the negative terminal, followed by the positive. There may also be a ground wire that you’ll need to remove. After that, you can put in the new battery—it’s really that simple.
- Head or tail lights that are out: If you have headlights or tail lights that don’t light up, it’s fairly easy to replace the bulb. Simply look up which type of bulb you need based on the make and model of your vehicle. When you have the new bulbs, you’re typically able to pop the lights out of the back side of the housing and unplug the old bulb. Simply put the new one in and you’ll be all done.
- Oil change: You no longer need to follow the “once every 3,000 miles” rule with oil changes, as many vehicles and oils have been improved in their design to allow for longer usage. But changing your oil is a job you can certainly take on yourself. Know the type of oil and oil filter you need (found in your owner’s manual), where the oil pan bolt and oil filter are located and how much oil goes into your engine. To change the oil, loosen the bolt and drain out the old oil, then replace the oil filter and refill the engine with the new oil before you put the bolt back on.
- Squeaking belts: If you hear squeaks in your belts every couple seconds, this is likely because the belts are worn and cracked. With a belt diagram handy so you know exactly what you’re doing, take off the current belt, using a ratchet to loosen the tension arm. With the pulleys exposed, check to make sure there isn’t any extra grime that could hasten the wear of the belt. Route the new belt in and lock the tension arm.
For more tips about some of the most common DIY auto fixes, contact an Audi repair shop in Conway, AR.