Knowing when to tackle car repair on your own and when to hire a professional can get tricky. This guide will help you weigh your options the next time your vehicle needs fixing.
When it comes to vehicles,
there are some jobs that the average do-it-yourselfer can handle on his own. Vehicle manuals are readily available online that make it easier for you to understand how your vehicle’s engine works, allowing you to tackle minor car repair issues without the need to pay a mechanic.
Small maintenance issues for your vehicle, like changing the oil or brake pads, are something you can probably handle on your own. Before you do, read the vehicle manual carefully to make sure that you understand how the components work and the best products to use for your vehicle.
If you need to replace a component in your engine that is easily accessible, you may be able to handle the car repair on your own. Make sure you study exactly how the component is attached to the engine, and replicate this when you do the job. Things like spark plugs are easily replaced by the average home garage mechanic.
If you get into the vehicle and find that you need a tool or equipment that you don’t own, like a lift to access a hard-to-reach part of the engine, call the mechanic. You will be better served paying a little for repair than buying a tool you will likely not need again. If a lift is required, you will be much safer calling the mechanic than trying to use a jack to get to that spot in the engine.
When it comes to more complicated systems, like your radiator, brakes, or transmission, you will need the help of a professional. Transmissions, in particular, are quite complex, and you need an experienced mechanic to tackle this type of car repair. Just getting the transmission out of the vehicle requires a lift on many new models. You simply will not have the right tools to do this job.
You also will need to hire a mechanic if you need to work with your car’s air conditioning system. Air conditioning systems contain toxic freon, and your mechanic must handle the freon in such a way that it is not exposed to the atmosphere.
If at any point you are unsure about how to safely fix something in your vehicle, you are better off calling the mechanic. You do not want to put your family’s safety at risk in a car that is not fixed properly, just because you wanted to save a little money. If you doubt your ability to do the job after looking at manuals for your vehicle, pass the work on to someone else.
Remember, car repair can be pricey, but you will pay far less to call the mechanic in the beginning than to try to cobble together a fix that ends up creating even more problems, leading to more expensive service in the future. If you find something major is wrong with your vehicle, you cannot pinpoint the problem on your own, or you do not trust your ability to fix it, then talk to a professional.
