3 Auto Repair Jobs Every Driver Can Do

Can you learn some basic auto repair on your own? If you can drive a car successfully, then you most certainly can teach yourself some essential car care that will not only help you during a crisis, but can save you hundreds of dollars in professional work. The easiest way to start out is by learning a few simple tasks such as changing a flat, replacing old oil, and putting in new spark plugs. These simple tasks can save you money and introduce you to basic mechanics.

Flat Tire:
If there is one auto repair job that every driver needs to know, it's how to replace a flat. A blown tire is one of the most common car problems, and nearly everyone is guaranteed to experience this at least once in their lifetime.

If you have all the tools you need, all you have to do is loosen the lug nuts, jack up the car, remove the old tire and put on the spare. When tightening the lugs, work from opposite sides. Once it's all secured you can remove the jack, and you'll be safe to drive home or to an auto repair shop.

Oil Change:
It is recommended that you take your car in every three months or 3,000 miles; whichever comes first. But at $15 to $40 a pop, you'll spend hundreds if not thousands of dollars on these visits over the course of your car's lifespan. Why pay someone else to do a job that is no more difficult than any other daily chore?

All you need is an oil pan, a wrench, and some sturdy rubber gloves. Position your pan to catch the oil, and then using the wrench (or socket), release the drain plug in the oil tank. Then, locate the filter and carefully twist it out. It may be useful to invest in a filter wrench if it is screwed very tightly. Following the new filter instructions, lubricate and replace it along with the oil tank plug. Fill with fresh oil, and you're done!

Spark Plugs:
If you drive quite a bit and have noticed difficulty starting or getting your engine to kick in it might be time to replace the old spark plugs. Some manufacturers recommend doing this as often as twice a year, but unless you're putting in a lot of cross country road trips, once every 12 to 18 months should suffice. Changing the plugs is easy and much less messy than an oil change, making it a friendly first time auto repair lesson for everyone.

You'll just need to buy some replacements (ask the clerk if you need help choosing the right ones for your car), pop the hood, and locate the plugs. Carefully label the leads using tape and numbers, then remove by twisting gently. Unscrew the old plugs and screw in the new (follow manufacturer instructions to ensure they are not too tight and crack the block). Replace the leads, and you're a novice mechanic. Remember to wait to replace the plugs until several hours after the engine has cooled off.