DIY Car Repair---Where to Draw the Line

Doing your car repair tasks on your own is not a bad thing. In fact, if you are handy, it can save you substantial amounts of money. But, before you tackle any repairs in your garage, make sure you know where to draw the line. You will be glad you did when your bill from the mechanic is much more reasonable.

The first thing you need to do before deciding whether or not you can handle a particular task is to check out the manual for your vehicle. You can usually download these online for free or for a small fee. Read over the portion of the manual that applies to the system on your vehicle that you will be fixing. Make sure you understand it, the diagrams, and the way things fit together. If you cannot, then you need to take the car to the mechanic.

Next, look up instructions online for the task at hand. Do you have the right tools? Some repairs, like air conditioning repairs, require special, and expensive, tools. If you do not have the tools and have no reason to buy them other than for this job, you may end up saving money by taking your vehicle to the mechanic.

Sometimes, the problem is obvious, like a leaking hose or missing radiator cap. In these instances, handling the car repair yourself is not a problem. In other instances, the symptoms your vehicle is experiencing may be your only indication of a problem. If you cannot pinpoint and trouble shoot the problem, do not start pulling things apart. You will do more harm than good. Instead, take it in to the service center to get an accurate diagnosis. Many times the initial evaluation is free at your local service center, and you will be better off tackling a problem once you know what it is.

Finally, if you decide to tackle the car repair on your own, only to get into the engine and find that you have no idea what to do, put it all back together the way you found it. Sometimes it helps to take a “before” picture of the engine to ensure you know where everything goes. Once you have it back together, take it to the mechanic at this point, rather than trying to cobble together a solution and getting it wrong. Rest assured, he will thank you when you arrive!