Basic Car Repairs Anyone Can Learn

Many of us have been driving since we were teenagers, and can’t imagine living without our cars now. However, our cars can fail us sometimes. There’s nothing more frustrating than a breakdown when you really need your car. However, a lot of the most common reasons for car problems are things that are easy to put right, that anyone can learn to do themselves. Here are some basic car repairs that anyone can learn.

Changing Oil

You should regularly check and change your car’s oil to keep it running smoothly and to improve the engine’s lifespan. Changing the oil in the car is one of the most important things to learn to do. However if the oil filter and oil drain plugs are much harder to reach in your car, you can leave this to the professionals. 

To change the oil, remove the oil drain plug, unscrew the oil filter, and empty it. Replace the oil filter and drain plug, remove the oil filler hole cap, and pour in some fresh oil. Easy. 

Changing A Flat Tire

The tires are one of the most important parts of your car. They can go flat sometimes, which is a nuisance. Changing a flat doesn’t have to be a nightmare, and could be a skill that could save your life. 

Loosen the lug nuts with a wrench, using a jack stand to lift the car of the ground. Remorse the lug nuts, and the tire. Put your spare tire into place, replace the lug nuts, lower the car, and check the lug nuts are tight. You’re done! Make sure you have a quality spare, that actually fits your car. For example, if you have a Ford, check for Ford car parts and buy a tire designed for your car. 

Changing Spark Plugs

Most drivers know what spark plugs are and what they do. Spark plugs are the small devices inside the cylinder that creates the sparks to ignite the gasoline which powers the car. These plugs can wear out over time, usually after 10,000 miles. 

To change them, find the spark plugs and remove te wire. Take out the fault spark plug, put a new one into its place, and put the wire back. That’s all you need to do to get you back on the road. 

Removing Scratches From Paint

Scratches in the paintwork of your car are a nuisance and really irritating. Even small scratches can be visible from a distance and spoil the appearance of your car. A scratch can also let in rust. Having a scratch fixed in a body shop can be very expensive, but you can save the money and do it yourself. 

Work out how deep the scratch is, and lightly sand the scratch. Clean the area, and polish the area with a rubbing compound. Wash again, and finally wax the area to seal the repair job. You’ve saved yourself a lot of frustration and money by doing this yourself.