DIY repairs versus a professional vehicle service

If the thought of paying for vehicle service once or twice a year fills your bank balance with dread, you could consider servicing it yourself.

You’ll need to have a sufficient level of confidence under the hood, and whether you do it yourself or employ a mechanic, it’s essential your car is serviced frequently to keep yourself and other road users safe as well as ensure the efficient running of your car.

You can learn almost everything you need to know online these days, including how to fix a car. However, as a car is one of the biggest investments you’ll make in your life, is it wise to allow a YouTube tutorial to fix yours?

DIY vehicle maintenance can be a great way to save money and learn skills. The cost of materials to replace parts versus the cost of both materials and labor is significantly lower. However, it is important that you know your limits. Sometimes it is necessary to enlist the help of a professional.

Everything you need to maintain your car and preserve its value in one convenient place

By getting your car serviced regularly you’re likely to see improved fuel efficiency, better handling, and a smoother running engine. It also decreases the likelihood of your car breaking down and helps you avoid severe repair bills, by preventing any issues that may lead to a problem over time. A full-service history will also help your car maintain its market value should you choose to sell.

The average age of a car at scrappage is around 14 years, while the average age of vehicles on the road is closer to eight years.

However, there are a few simple steps you can take to give your vehicle the best chance of reaching its golden years. One of the most effective ways of adding to your car’s lifespan just happens to be one of the easiest: routine inspections.

Make sure to check these every few weeks:

fuel
oil
rubber (tires and wiper blades)
coolant
electrics
windshield washer fluid
engine air filter
spark plugs (petrol engines only)
brakes
air conditioning
Interiors and exteriors

It’s recommended that a vehicle is serviced at least once a year to keep the mechanics, such as transmissions and clutch, in good order. To reduce costs, you can perform a basic car service yourself without any fancy equipment, rather than sending your car to a professional garage that will charge for their labor and replacement parts.
If you’re going to perform a service on your car, you need to make sure you’ve got the right tools:

Socket set
Oil drain tray
Oil filter remover
Wrench set
Screwdrivers
Allen keys
Carjack
Axle stands
Tiyre pressure gauge
Old rags
Funnel
Gloves

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Simple vehicle maintenance may be something you can do in your sleep. Most of us can easily learn how to change components such as windshield wipers, add fluids, or change lights without technical skills. As you get deeper under the hood, however, mistakes could affect other areas of the vehicle. It’s best not to attempt to service your own vehicle unless you really know what you’re doing and you have access to the right tools and equipment. When in doubt, let professional mechanics handle the problem.

CRS Automotive Hamilton is a full-service vehicle care facility specializing in light and medium-duty vehicles and trucks, manuals, or automatics. When it comes to automotive repair not many things are more important than experience and customer satisfaction. At CRS Automotive Hamilton you will find both.