5 Considerations Before You Repair Your Car Yourself

If your car has broken down and you’re up against a hefty bill from the mechanic, it may be tempting to give it a go yourself. Before you try and fix your ride on your own – here are five things you should think about before attempting to do so:

Someone Will Need To Drive You Around If You Can’t Drive It Yourself 

Not all of us can afford to have someone drive us around when we don’t have our own set of wheels. But if you plan on doing some repairs on your car and getting behind the wheel in its current state is too dangerous, then this means trying to get rides with others or having someone take time out of their day to drop you off at stores if they aren’t close by. Are you going to have someone take time out of their day each time you need to do some repairs on your car?

Repairs May Not Be The Only Issue With Your Car 

If you’re in the situation where your ride is making strange sounds or has other issues besides the one you want to fix, then this means that there may be more work done than if it were just the one problem. For example, you could also end up getting tires changed for safety reasons which will add onto any parts and labor fees. And worst case scenario – the problem that put the wrench in your ride may need larger repairs like a new engine or transmission.

Repairing Your Car At Home Can Be Dangerous 

There are many common risks involved with trying to repair something as complex as a car with little to no prior experience or knowledge of car repair. You can seriously hurt yourself and others by neglecting to follow safety procedures, and the last thing you want is for your injury (or worse) to be on your conscience if things go poorly.

You Might Not Be Able To Save As Much Money As You Think

Unless you’re an experienced mechanic or have some background in auto repair – it’s very likely that you’ll end up spending more than if you had gone to a shop for repairs. The reason is because they already have the tools and equipment needed for specific types of jobs, as well as the staff who know how to complete those tasks efficiently and professionally which means less time wasted figuring out what needs to be done and how to do it.

You Need A Way To Lift And Move Heavy Objects 

Without a doubt, your car is going to have some heavy parts that need to be removed for you to get the job done. If you don’t have a jack or tire iron, then this may mean borrowing from a friend or neighbor – but if neither of those are an option then you might want to think twice before trying anything yourself as there’s no way around it unless you use proper techniques.

In Summary While not everyone knows about cars and how they work, being able to diagnose problems on your own can certainly come in handy (especially if they’re relatively difficult ones). However, there is still more than enough reason why even the most experienced mechanics and DIYers agree that it’s always better to leave the task of fixing and repairing your car to professionals.

How to Safely Work on Your Car at Home

If you’re stuck at home or just want to do some DIY car maintenance, it might be time to sort out some of your car problems.

Of course, there are some things you should think about before getting your hands dirty, the most important of which is your ability to perform general maintenance tasks without jeopardizing your own or others’ safety or jeopardizing your vehicle’s dependability.

Some Basic Safety Precautions

Work within your skill level. Changing the oil is simple, but if there’s any chance you could screw it up, pay to have a professional do it. Stripped oil drain plug threads can be expensive to replace. If you have any doubts about how to do something, YouTube can be a good resource for how-to videos, although the quality of the advice you’ll find there isn’t infallible.

Never, ever rely on a jack to support the vehicle when you’re underneath it. This is as true for a professional-style hydraulic floor or bottle jack as it is for the screw jack most cars have stashed somewhere for the purpose of changing a flat tire. If you’re going to be under the car at all, make sure it is firmly supported on a pair of jack stands at a point on the vehicle’s underside that can handle the vehicle’s weight. You don’t want a jack stand punching through the floor of your car. 

Always have a fire extinguisher handy when you’re working on a car. Motor vehicles—whether powered by gasoline, diesel, or electricity—have the potential to catch fire, even when you’re being careful. Make sure that the extinguisher is fully charged and that you know how to use it  properly. Be aware of what to do if your car catches fire. 

Treat the flammable liquids and other materials with the respect they deserve. Gasoline cans and solvents should always be capped and stored in a dedicated flammables cabinet, away from electrical sparks and other potential sources of ignition.

Wear proper protective equipment. That includes safety glasses, long sleeves and pants, closed-toe shoes or boots, and gloves.

Don’t do any undercar work unless someone else is home. Keep a phone handy in case of an accident.

Always work on a level surface. If you’re going to raise the car on an asphalt driveway, it’s a good idea to place each jack stand on a board to prevent damage to the asphalt.

Make sure you have all the right parts and fluids. And compare new parts with old ones to confirm that they match.

Perform work during hours when you can pop over to the auto parts store. You never know when you’ll need additional parts, such as an oil pan plug gasket.