yohan

If you don’t know what you’re doing, the job could cost more than it saves. You might even put yourself in danger by working on an electrical system while standing in water or oil. But if you follow these simple steps, fixing your vehicle won’t have to break the bank – or risk your safety.

1) Check Your Owner’s Manual for Instructions: The owner’s manual should provide instructions for troubleshooting and repairing most common problems with your vehicle. If not, online tutorials are available that walk through common repairs step-by-step with pictures of everything from engine repair to replacing headlights to changing tires. For example, check out YouTube’s “How To Change A Tire” video, or this step-by-step guide from Popular Mechanics.

2) Do Your Own Oil Changes: One of the best ways to save money on car repairs is changing your own oil and air filter. You can usually do it for free at a local quick-lube service that accepts old oil and filters. Or most parts stores give away free disposable containers and will even pay you (in store credit) 5 cents per quart of used oil. This is due to an EPA mandate requiring disposal fees for motor oil in order to keep landfills free of waste oil. It’s one of the easiest DIY jobs, but make sure you know what type of vehicle you’re working on (4-stroke/2-stroke), and that you dispose of the oil properly.

3) Replace Your Own Wiper Blades: Replacing your own car’s windshield wipers can save around $20 per blade, with most major retailers selling an entire set for under $15 . It’s one of the easiest DIY repairs, requiring no tools or automotive knowledge beyond knowing which type of blades to buy – usually either “standard” or “beam,” depending on your vehic le.

4) Fix Your Own Car Alarm: Many car and truck alarms (especially ones with keypads) can be set off by opening the door without a key, but this is very easy to fix yourself . Just enter your alarm’s code (most manufacturers include instructions on how to do this), and you’re done. For example, here’s how to reset an Autostart alarm system (similar systems use similar procedures).

5) Find Cheap Parts Online: Whether you need a replacement headlight assembly or an entire engine, finding cheap parts online is easy . Just about every car part imaginable for sale on eBay , complete with maintenance history – even if it’s from another vehicle of the exact same make! You can also find good discounts on brand-new parts at websites like Autozone, Advance Auto Parts and O’Reilly Auto Parts. These sites usually have sales throughout the year, including coupons for up to 50% off certain parts, especially around holiday weekends. Just make sure you input your vehicle’s VIN number in order to get the correct part numbers for your specific car.

6) Fix Your Own Flat Tire: Replacing your own tire is not only easy, but often cheaper than the price of a flatbed to go get it fixed or towed away.

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