Imagine pulling out of your driveway for a weekend road trip, only to have your car sputter to a stop halfway up the hill. Could you have prevented this costly headache with a few simple DIY skills?n Taking care of your car doesn’t have to mean expensive trips to the mechanic or confusing jargon from the service centre.
In fact, mastering just a few basic DIY car care skills can keep your vehicle running smoothly, save you money, and help you avoid unexpected breakdowns, no matter if you drive a modern car or an older car. Whether you drive a modern car or an older car, these five skills will keep your car in good shape and ensure safe driving on every journey.
Why Should You Learn DIY Car Maintenance?
Taking care of your car yourself helps you save money, catch problems early, and avoid expensive repairs. Plus, understanding basic DIY car maintenance tips gives you confidence and ensures your vehicle runs smoothly for years to come. Let’s get into the essential skills every driver should master.
1. How Do You Check and Maintain Tyre Pressure and Tread?
Before you hit the road, it’s important to regularly check your tyre pressure and tyre tread. Here’s how you can do it easily at home:
- Check your owner’s manual or the driver’s door placard for the recommended tyre pressure.
- Use a reliable tyre pressure gauge to get an accurate reading.
- Adjust tyre pressure as needed to avoid under-inflated tyres, which can negatively impact fuel efficiency and safety.
- Inspect tyre tread depth—look for a minimum of 1.5mm across the tyre, but consider replacing tyres before they reach this limit for better handling and tyre longevity.
- Don’t forget your spare tyre—check its pressure and tread depth too.
Keeping your tyres properly inflated and with adequate tread not only ensures better handling but also helps prevent breakdowns and costly repairs.
With your tyres in good shape, let’s move on to another critical area: your car’s battery.
2. How Can You Keep Your Car Battery in Top Condition?
A healthy car battery is essential for reliable starts and a vehicle running smoothly. Here’s how to maintain your battery:
- Open the bonnet and inspect the battery terminals for corrosion. If you see buildup, use a wire brush and a clean rag to gently clean the negative terminal and positive terminals.
- Check the battery life—look for signs of wear or swelling.
- Ensure all connections are tight and secure.
Regularly checking your battery and keeping the terminals clean can prevent unexpected failures, especially before long trips or in harsh weather conditions.
Now, let’s focus on another simple but important task: maintaining your windscreen wipers and washer fluid.
3. How Do You Replace Wiper Blades and Refill Washer Fluid?
Clear visibility is crucial for safe driving, so keeping your windscreen wipers and windscreen washer fluid in good working order is a must.
- Inspect your wiper blades for signs of worn-out wiper blades or cracked wiper rubbers. If they leave streaks or squeak, it’s time to replace them.
- To replace wiper blades, lift the wiper arm, remove the old blade, and attach the new one.
- Refill the windscreen washer fluid reservoir regularly, especially before long trips or in dusty conditions.
Replacing wiper blades and keeping washer fluid topped up are simple DIY car maintenance tasks that ensure clear visibility in all weather conditions.
Next, let’s look at how you can keep your engine running smoothly.
4. How Do You Check and Change Engine Oil and Air Filters?
Your car’s engine relies on clean oil and air to perform at its best. Here’s how to keep it in good shape:
- Check the oil level using the oil dipstick. Wipe it clean, reinsert, and check the reading to ensure oil is at the correct level.
- Replace engine oil and the oil filter as recommended by your car manufacturer or owner’s manual.
- Inspect the air filter. A clogged air filter can reduce fuel efficiency and engine performance. Replace it with a clean air filter if it’s dirty or old.
- Spark plugs should also be checked and replaced if necessary to keep your engine running smoothly.
Regularly checking and replacing engine oil and air filters are key DIY car maintenance tips that help prevent serious damage and keep your vehicle running smoothly.
With your engine cared for, let’s turn our attention to your car’s lights and safety features.
5. How Do You Inspect and Maintain Exterior Lights and Brakes?
Safe driving depends on your car’s lights and brakes working properly. Here’s how to keep them in good shape:
- Check all exterior lights, including brake lights, to ensure they’re working properly. Replace any burnt-out bulbs.
- Inspect brake pads for wear and listen for unusual noises when braking.
- Check transmission fluid and power steering fluid levels if your car has these features.
Regular inspections and maintenance of your car’s lights and brakes help prevent breakdowns and ensure safe driving.
Bonus: What Tools Should You Have for DIY Car Maintenance?
Having the right tools makes DIY car maintenance much easier. Here’s a quick checklist:
- Tyre pressure gauge
- Wire brush and clean rag
- Basic tool kit (screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches)
- Spare tyre and jack
- Glove box essentials: owner’s manual, spare fuses, and a torch
Keeping these necessary tools in your glove box or boot ensures you’re prepared for any minor issues on the road.
How Does DIY Car Care Help You Save Money and Stay Safe?
By mastering these five DIY car care skills, you’ll keep your car running smoothly, avoid costly repairs, and ensure better handling and fuel efficiency. Regular DIY car maintenance not only saves money but also helps prevent breakdowns and serious damage, keeping you and your passengers safe.
Remember, all NSW drivers need a valid Greenslip or CTP insurance to drive legally. Don’t forget to use Greenslips 4 Earth’s CTP Calculator to compare prices and ensure you’re always covered.
For more DIY car maintenance tips and to compare Greenslip prices, visit our blog. Keep your vehicle in good shape and enjoy safe, stress-free driving.
