When it comes to car maintenance, most of us usually remember to budget out for the main expenses: gas and regular oil changes. But you can save money by not just doing your own oil changes, but other maintenance work as well! Take a look at the car repairs that you can take care of in your own garage.
Change the Air Filter
A clogged air filter affects both your car’s power and gas mileage. Depending on the make and model of your car, a new air filter will typically cost you between $15-$20. This is a drastic difference from spending over $100 in labor costs at the mechanic!
Windshield Wipers
Rather than paying for an hour of labor, just invest a few minutes of your own time and buy a set of wipers for around $20-$40. Check the reference manual to ensure which wiper size is a good fit.
Brake Pads
Your initial reaction might be a hard no; it sounds scary to interfere with your brakes. But changing brake pads is actually a simple, inexpensive procedure! This has to be done relatively every 20,000 miles.
Oil and Oil Filter
While it’s historically been recommended to change your oil every 3,000 miles, modern cars have changed that to every 5,000 or even 10,000 miles. Check your manufacturer’s recommendations before deciding what to do! Never change oil while the engine is hot, and always jack up the car.
Radiator Flush
When you have a clean radiator, it helps keep your engine cool. Consult your owner’s manual to see how often you should flush your car’s radiator! This will cost around $25.
Battery Maintenance
Check your battery with a voltmeter to confirm if it has the proper charge. For most vehicles, batteries should be replaced when they have less than 9.7 volts while starting an engine. It’s important that you remove the negative (black) cable first, and after installing the new battery, replace that cable last.
Over time, taking on these minimal maintenance repairs will add up and save you a substantial amount of money. You can invest more in your car, as well as in the garage where you work on it, and install the Winter Garden garage floors of your dreams. Contact us to find out how we can help!
