Simple Car Repairs That You Can Do Yourself to Save Money
Doing your own car repairs rather than taking your vehicle into a shop can often save you a considerable amount of money. However, it’s important not to get too ambitious when doing work on your own vehicle. Unless you have extensive experience with the inner workings of vehicles, trying to tackle complex repairs could pose a serious safety hazard and end up damaging your vehicle even more. As such, it’s a good idea to stick to more basic restorations like these simple car repairs that you can do yourself to save money.
Changing your car battery
One of the easiest car repairs that most people can accomplish themselves is changing a vehicle’s battery. Most car batteries last around 4-6 years, which means a large number of vehicle owners will have to replace their batteries at some point.
To determine if your battery needs to be changed before it completely dies out and you end up stranded, check the date stamped on it. If the battery is older than four years, you may want to replace it. To do so, all you need is a replacement battery, your owner’s manual, and a basic set of wrenches, and then you’re good to go.
Touch-ups for small scratches and paint chips
Small scratches or paint chips are one of the most common types of damage that vehicles sustain. To avoid having to pay $150 to $300 to repair a clearcoat scratch, consider attempting your own touch-ups.
A key tip for this DIY autobody repair is to obtain the right equipment. You don’t just want to just slather on a layer of paint with a regular old paintbrush and hope for the best. Doing so will likely result in a lumpy application. For a smooth, even application, either purchase or rent a paint sprayer. Once you apply the paint, level the filled area and buff the fresh paint with a dual-action car polisher—that’s all there is to it.
Pulling out minor dents
Another simple car repair that you can do yourself to save money is pulling out a dent. From purchasing a dent repair kit to using your toilet plunger to suction the dent out (yes, it really works), there are several ways to pull out a dent in the side of your vehicle. While you may have to invest some time into researching the best method for your vehicle, doing so may be worth it to avoid spending hundreds of dollars to pull out the dent at a shop.
